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I opened my email on my tablet and air-dropped them a photo I’d taken of it. The necklace was beautiful. The chain was eighteen inches long, though I had added a gold extender, and the emeralds were centered in gold flowers—three rows, with three flowers on the upper row, two on the second, and a single flower centered on the bottom.
“This is beautiful. What time period are we talking?” Caitlin asked.
“As far as I can tell, the necklace dates back to at least the 1850s, maybe earlier. I don’t think it was new when it was given to my great-great-grandmother.” I stared at the image. “It feels magical, and I plan on wearing it at my wedding. But I’d like to know if it carries any hidden secrets. Her maiden name was Ellen ó Broin. Sometimes the name was mangled to Ellen O’Brien in some records. She married Jonathon O’Leary. The necklace was around her neck when she died, and it survived her fall into the ocean, although she didn’t. By then, the curse had been placed on Ellen and her female descendants. She fell off a cliff.” I gave them the location where Ellen had lived.
“We’ll do our best and see what we can find,” Hank said. “There are databases for cursed jewelry and toys, so I’ll have a look through them.”
“I guess we have our focus for the day. Why don’t we get busy? With no cases scheduled for this week—or next—we can take our time. We haven’t really had a lot of downtime over the past couple years,” Tad said. “This makes for a nice break.”
But even as he spoke, a sudden chill rushed over me. “Don’t speak too soon—or at least knock wood,” I said, reaching out to rap my knuckles on the table.
“Yeah,” Caitlin said, standing to stretch. “The last thing we want is to invite trouble.”
And with that, Caitlin and I moved over to my desk to discuss the Woodlings, and Hank returned to his desk to formulate interview questions.
CHAPTERFIVE
Iwas poring through everything that I could find on the Woodlings. There were a couple of small books written on the subject and I managed to find one of those online, via a library. Written by a woman named Abigail Venture, the book had been published in the late 1990s and was replete with interviews and accounts from all over the world.
There was something I remembered from one of my meetings with the Woodlings that I wanted to check on. I began skimming through the index and finally, I found a reference to the Overkings. I turned to page 50 and began to read.
The Overkings are another name for the Fair Folk, or the Fae. Not a lot is known about the Fae races, except that they come in a myriad of forms, shapes, and sizes, but one thing is sure: If the Fae have any interaction with humans, it’s never in the best interest of the humans. The Fae always keep control.
They’re called the Overkings because they rule the forests, and usually are found within magical woodlands. The most noted forests where the Overkings and Woodlings are said to include the following:
Europe: The Black Forest—also known as Schwarzwald Forest; Hoia-Baciu; Pokaini Forest; Broceliande Forest; the Crooked Forest; Viking Vold Forest; Aave Metsämatta; and Szellemerdo.
The United States: the Elfin Forest; Pine Barrens; Freetown-Fall River State Forest; Randolph Forest; Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; the Olympic National Forest; the Mystic Wood; Aesing Ring Forest.
The UK: Doon Hill; Blairadam Forest; Wychwood Forest; Dering Woods; Epping Forest; Wistman’s Wood.
Japan, India: Aokigahara Forest; Yawata no Yabushirazu; Dow Hill Forest.
New Zealand: Tawau Hills Park.
Several of the ones in the US I recognized and had been in, because they were in Washington state. I continued to skim the book.
The Overkings, the Fae, and the Woodlings are known by various names around the world, but in most cases, the stories are the same, and the hierarchy remains intact. The Overkings can be helpful, or deadly, and this depends on their moods, which are said to change on a dime. One thing we do know: there seems to be a link between the Overkings and the gods in most of the world’s cultures, although that link can differ from region to region.
The Woodlings are responsible for carrying out the orders of the Overkings, including the capture of changelings. It’s believed that the Woodlings are enslaved, but the Overkings are powerful beings and it’s best not to interact with them. If you do have to engage them, whatever you do, don’t anger them. Once you’re on their radar—for good or ill—you’ll forever be in their sight.
Feeling queasy, I leaned back. Caitlin noticed my reaction.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’ve begun to realize how deep I’m in Briar’s pocket. Look at this.” I turned my laptop for her to see what I was reading.
She scanned the screen, then whistled. “Ugh, not good.”
“Not good at all.” I noticed Hank was glancing over our way. “Listen, keep this under wraps for now. I feel bad enough about how much I yelled at Hank this morning, and over the past few weeks as well. I don’t want him thinking we’re still beating him against a brick wall.”
“Noted,” Caitlin said.
Hank pulled a chair over to sit down beside us. “So, find out anything?”
“A tidbit here or there,” I said. “What about you? Have you decided on your interview questions yet?” I flashed him a smile.
“I’m working on them, but I feel like I’m circling around a few thoughts that I can’t pinpoint. Would you have a look at them and tell me if you can think of anything to add?” He handed us his tablet that had a long list of questions on them.
