We climbed the giant staircase and trudged back through the forest to the Midnight Gate. There were no swamp rats, fortunately.
Fin stopped in front of the gate and turned to face me. “Before you go, I have something for you.” He held out a necklace, a huge golden crystal hanging from a leather thong.
Jett scowled, not impressed by another man giving me jewellery.
“I owe you a boon for breaking your trust.”
“For trying to shoot me? And attempted kidnapping?”
He nodded. “If you need my assistance, break the crystal and I will come.”
“Whoah, wait. I don’t want this. You don’t owe me anything.” I handed it back.
He placed both hands in his pockets, refusing to take it. “I must satisfy my debt. You can pass it to another person, if you wish. The cuarzolimon has a way of ending up where it’s needed.”
“Okay.” I suddenly knew exactly who might need it. When I got home, Clara was getting a present.
Alyssia and I hugged goodbye. “Visit soon,” she said.
“You too. Come over with Fin, you can see Mom and meet Aunt Joey.”
“Aunt Joey?”
“Mom’s girlfriend. After getting knocked up by a Fae prince, and then having one of her babies stolen, she found Aunt Joey. She deserves to have something, someone, good in her life.”
“I look forward to meeting her.”
I took a deep breath and inserted the gem into the slot.
Jett held out his hand and I took it.
Together we walked through the Midnight Gate and back home.