“Technically, we can’t determine that you committed murder,” Dani told him. “I mean, we don’t know what’s on the other side of that rift. Sure, her very cells could have been ripped apart into nothing because people were not meant to be thrown through interdimensional tears. But it’s also possible that she’s stuck in a dimension where dinosaurs are in charge of the government or the only fruit available is kiwi.”

“I think no cells is better than the ‘kiwi only’ thing,” Zed stated.

Clarissa, who had been hanging on every word from the doorway, shot a curious look at Zed. He shrugged. “I don’t like the seeds.”

Bael pinched the bridge of his nose, and seemed to be praying.

“So am I in trouble or not?” Zed asked. “Keeping in mind that if I end up serving time and get separated from Dani for an extended period of time, I will tell her where you got the stone for her engagement ring.”

Jillian frowned. “What?”

“I’m going to list Lara’s disappearance as an ‘unknown accident,’” Bael said, glaring at Zed. “But this is a one-time pass. You cannot use the rift as your go-to disposal for people who piss you off.”

“Fine,” Zed mumbled, though he was smiling.

“Can we go back to the engagement ring thing?” Jillian asked.

“I’ll tell you later,” Bael promised.

“You’ll tell me now. Am I wearing some sort of murder diamond on my finger?”

“Only if you consider burning books ‘murder,’” Zed said as Bael made threatening faces at him.

“I kind of do,” Jillian said.

“Oh, good grief,” Bael sighed. “Jillian, I took the ashes from burning your report and compressed them into a diamond. I thought it would appeal to your love of books and my love of dragon fire. It was meant to be a thoughtful gesture. If you hate it, we can go through the hoard and find something you like better.”

Jillian’s expression was a strange mix of touched and horrified. “No one in the world will have a ring like it?” she squeaked.

Bael’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Exactly.”

“And it is very pretty,” Jillian admitted. “Thank you for making me something . . . special.”

Bael gave her a quick kiss. “You’re welcome.”

“Do me a favor, don’t burn something I love to make me a present,” Dani whispered to Zed.

Zed nodded.

Jillian sighed and scrubbed a hand over her face. “So there’s a mysterious outside group who is hiring whackaloons to infiltrate my staff and mess with the very thing that brought me to Mystic Bayou, potentially bringing about some mass magique transition.”

“That was what I gathered from Lara’s rantings, yes,” Dani agreed.