Wow. I had a gut feeling about something untoward with Jem, but serial killer with a double digit kill count wasn’t on my bingo card.

Personally I think you’re better off knowing. It wasn’t pleasant, but it’s closure for you, you don’t have to keep wondering.

That said, there’s a lot of new questions brought out of this. Why did ol’ Scratch say your his third favorite family? He’s willing to help without strings (allegedly) attached, and he’s already more aware of your family than you are, plus this oddness with Tom. You said he’s worked for you awhile right?

It still doesn’t add up. None of it does.

Somethings nagging at me Fi. You may need to ask the Leshy, or your dear pal in the sauna… is there anyone who might benefit from seizing the land?

This alls seems to be working a bit too well and I’m wondering if maybe someone is actually hoping you’ll do some heavy lifting for them before they make their real play.

I’m so sorry you had to go through something like that at such a young age, Fiona. Unfortunately creatures like her seem to delight in traumatizing children.

I’m curious, do you know if your Leshy is the Leahy, or just one of his disciples? I know they all go by the same name but there’s one whose above all the rest. An old forest god and his personal representatives. From your description of his behavior in the first story it sounds like yours may actually be the old Leshy himself. If that is the case you might ask him if Gryla enters the woods by his will or not.

If she’s there by his leave then being rude to her may have brought down even more wrath. If, however, she is trespassing in his domain, he might be willing to share a method of warding her off. Old Ones like him do t take kindly to other ancients trespassing on their sacred spaces, and he might delight in teaching her a lesson about respecting territories and tenants.

The simple fact that he’s on speaking terms with you means he likes you more than the average mortal. He lets you share his domain. He might teach you some method of warding out of a certain protective streak. You protect his forest alongside him, he likely sees you as a worshipper or acolyte. The Leshy and his kin have never taken kindly to those who harm those under their eye.