Free Hell to Heaven by Kylie Chan Page A

returns I won’t have made a complete mess of it.’
    I lowered my snout and delicately sipped my tea; it was sow mei, my favourite. I felt a quiet rush of satisfaction at managing to drink it without spilling any.
    ‘What the Dark Lady is trying to say,’ the stone added, ‘is that none of you need to play games to get things done. All you have to do is contact her, say what you need and she’ll work hard to get it for you. You should pass the word along.’
    ‘Uh…yeah,’ I said.
    One of the demon servants, appearing as an elderly man in traditional black and white, came to us and bowed. ‘The Princess of the Northern Heavens is here.’
    ‘Show her in, don’t make her wait!’ Miss Ling said, gesturing quickly with one hand.
    Simone came in and leaned over the back of the sofa to kiss the top of my serpent head. She smiled at Ling and Toi. ‘Can I see the baby?’
    They both rose and formally bowed to Simone but she waved them down. ‘Please, you know I don’t like this formal rigmarole. I’d just like to see the foal, if I could.’
    ‘You’re supposed to be in school,’ I said.
    ‘They won’t notice I’m gone if I run back quick enough. It’s nearly lunchtime anyway.’
    I slithered off the couch and onto the floor. ‘Do you mind if she takes a look too?’
    ‘Not at all,’ Miss Ling said, and guided us back out to the stables.
    The foal was curled up at his mother’s feet, dozing. He pricked up his ears when we entered but didn’t open his eyes.
    ‘He’s so pretty,’ Simone whispered.
    ‘Would there be any issue with him travelling between Heaven and the Earthly if Simone decided to take him?’ I said.
    ‘He was born here so can travel to both Planes when he is old enough,’ Toi said. ‘He can be tamed with the Fire Essence Pill if he shows demonic tendencies.’
    ‘Then he would probably be a better match for you, Simone,’ I said. ‘I can only ride on the Earthly, so I might as well get a natural horse.’
    ‘Can I go in and pet him?’ Simone said.
    Miss Ling nodded, smiling slightly. ‘Of course. Take care of his hooves when he tries to stand up.’
    She opened the stall gate and Simone carefully approached the foal. He opened one eye and looked at her with curiosity. ‘You smell nice.’
    ‘He talks ?’ Simone said in disbelief.
    He dropped his head, shy. ‘Is that wrong?’
    ‘No, no,’ she said. ‘It just means that you’re special.’ She kneeled and raised one hand cautiously towards him. ‘Can I touch you?’
    He raised his nose to sniff her hand, then licked it. ‘You taste good too.’
    She carefully ran her hand over the soft hair of his mane between his ears and down the front of his face. He nuzzled into her hand. ‘You feel nice. I like you.’
    Simone’s face softened.
    ‘I can’t take him now,’ I said with amusement. ‘She’s smitten.’
    ‘When you grow up to be a big, strong, beautiful horse,’ Simone said gently to him, ‘will you let me rideyou and take you all over the place and show everybody what a special horse you are?’
    He studied her appraisingly. ‘You won’t be too heavy?’
    ‘Not when you’re all grown up,’ she said.
    He pulled himself clumsily to his feet and she quickly moved back to avoid his tiny, sharp hooves. He stood and watched her, his tail flicking, then he glanced towards me, Ling and Toi. ‘Do I get to choose who rides me?’
    Simone put her hand out towards him. ‘I think you can choose between me and the snake lady, who loves you just as much as I do.’
    He shoved his forehead into her hand. ‘Then I choose you, ‘cause I really like you.’
    She bowed her head as she stroked his ears. ‘My name’s Simone.’
    He licked her hand again. ‘I don’t have a name.’ He dropped his head and eyed her shyly. ‘Can you give me a name? I’d really like that.’
    ‘I’ll have to think of something that’s as impressive and handsome as you are,’ she said. ‘I can’t just call you Freddo Frog or