Evelina and the Reef Hag Read online

  Evelina and the Reef Hag

  By

  R.A. Donnelly

  Copyright 2014 R.A. Donnelly

  Chapter One

  “You’re dead, Crimm!” Henrietta Ledbetter leered across the aisle, jowls quivering, black eyes narrowed to slits in her big melon head.

  “Evelina Crimm!” Sister Mary Rosalina, or Sister Mary Elephant, as everyone called her, swung round from the blackboard, like a Smart car pulling a uey. The scent of shoe polish and mothballs swirled around her in a noxious tornado. The chalk in her hand slid away from the half drawn quarter note. “Eyes on the board!”

  Evelina came upright in her seat.

  Every hair sprang to life from the stubble on her legs to the tip of her ponytail.

  She’d been thinking about Frankie Holler again. Whenever that happened her brain left the building.

  Everyone turned to stare—sliding in their seats toward her, like water to a drain.

  Her heart tapped louder.

  The last thing she needed was another detention—one more and she’d be pulling garbage duty, or scraping gum off chairs.

  She stared straight ahead, ignoring Henrietta’s hot glare, wondering what she’d done this time to incite her wrath? Not that it took much. She was a freak show.

  Maybe it was that goose in her bed. Maybe not the goose so much, but what it left behind. Having just learned she was a Water Witch, Evelina didn’t have much control over her powers. Nights were cold at St. Cecelia’s in December. She’d only been trying to conjure a nice, warm, goose down duvet. But things got a little out of hand—okay, a lot out of hand, especially when the goose escaped.

  But who knew that was going to happen?

  Not that she was ever far out of Henrietta’s beady sights. But right now Henrietta was relishing her power. Every day since her cousin, Sister Bellona, became their new phys ed instructor, Henrietta had grown meaner.

  She seemed to feed off the fear Sister Bellona incited. One gym class was enough to discover why. After two broken noses and a near fatal asthma attack, the school was on high alert. Bellona was out for blood.

  A shiver ran up Evelina’s back.

  Sometimes she hated school. Hate was a strong word, one you should never use, according to Grammy Crimm, but today it seemed appropriate. Oh, she enjoyed the learning part, especially music, when the flute trilled in her hands like a spring robin. But all that theory she could do without.

  And classmates like Henrietta. She took the prize for evil. It oozed out of every pore, dripping in foamy bubbles from the side of her mouth whenever she went ballistic.

  Like right now.

  She looked like a bull ready to charge.

  Henrietta sprang from her seat, snatching the piece of paper from Evelina’s hand.

  Henrietta held it high over her head like a trophy. “Lookee here! Whatcha got, Orph?” She slashed Evelina a look of poison. “Doesn’t look much like a treble clef!”

  The entire music class roared with laughter.

  A few clapped.

  Molly Nuttle, Henrietta’s best friend, howled like a hyena, sending her greasy blonde hair swinging past her ears.

  The caricature of Sister Mary Elephant with her pointer shaped like a claw floated above Evelina’s head like the angel of death. She hardly remembered drawing it. She was always drawing something.

  Actually, it was a pretty good likeness.

  “Oh, no!” Lily Huckabone, Evelina’s best friend, groaned, slinking down in the desk beside her. “Not good.”

  She was right.

  From the look on Sister Mary Elephant’s face, retribution was at hand.

  “SILENCE!!!” She snatched the claw from the corner of her oak desk. The image was so similar to Evelina’s picture a few students snickered. “You think that’s funny, do you, Crimm?”

  “No, Sister.”

  Sister Mary Elephant’s pale blue eyes narrowed behind her black horn-rimmed glasses. “On your feet when I’m talking to you!”

  Evelina scrambled out of her seat, taking the opportunity to snatch the picture from Henrietta’s meaty fist.

  Henrietta gnashed her bulldog canines in a snarl.

  Evelina leveled a fierce glare on her. For once, Evelina was grateful for her height. She might be a feather weight, but at least she could look Henrietta straight in the eye.

  Henrietta backed up, wedging her bulbous butt into her seat with a satisfied sneer creasing her face.

  “Evelina Crimm!”

  Evelina spun round.

  Sister Mary Elephant’s pinched features constricted. “Go to Sister Juliana’s office at once!”

  Evelina glanced back at Lily, who sat clutching her sandy braid like a rip cord, chocolate eyes as wide as cupcakes behind her wire-rimmed specks.

  Being sent to the Mother Superior’s office was no small matter. Inevitably, consequences followed, not usually of the pleasant kind. Sister Juliana meant well. But her discipline bordered on medieval, adhering to the ‘no pain, no gain’ philosophy.

  Evelina strode from the room with a straight back.

  But the hollow bang of the door closing chilled her blood.

  She trudged down the cavernous hall, pondering the tongue lashing ahead.

  The squeak of her running shoes echoed behind her like laughing squirrels.

  She hugged her navy cardigan closer, while the pleats of her blue and white checked kilt slapped against her legs, and her thoughts drifted back to Frankie.

  Two months, and she hadn’t heard a word. But, what did she expect? She should have heeded the warning. Time Keepers and Water Witches don’t mix.

  Though she’d give anything to prove otherwise.

  First, she needed to solve the mystery of her parents’ deaths.

  Easier said than done.

  Grammy Crimm swore it had something to do with black magic. Nobody talked about that. Black magic and black market spells put hot fear into the hearts of most witches.

  Evelina heaved a great sigh.

  She needed to forget Frankie—put him out of her head—once and for all.

  The distant clang of pots from the cafeteria grew steadily clearer.

  Today was compost Friday. The day when the cafeteria ladies threw the week’s leftovers into a big pot and called it stew. Or, arranged it in slimy layers and called it a casserole. Whatever the design, it always tasted the same—rotten.

  Fridays she and Lily skipped lunch and hightailed it to the library with pockets full of contraband candy stashed in their dorm rooms from care packages from home. But supplies were running thin. It was the end of term. They were down to two sticks of cherry gum and a piece of black liquorice. Unless she could pull off some kind of ‘loaves and fishes’ spell, they were in for a hungry day.

  The sound of sniffling pricked Evelina’s ears.

  She halted to listen.

  Maddie Maxwell, one of the youngest students, came shuffling down the hall from the direction of Sister Juliana’s office. Her freckles glistened from crying. Stranger still, her blonde pigtails appeared ragged—chewed to the size of mouse ears.

  “What’s up, kid?”

  Maddie offered a watery smile. “I cut my hair,” she croaked as deep as a bullfrog. “Sister didn’t like it.”

  Evelina tilted her head to one side. “Hmmm.” She put one hand to her chin as though considering a piece of art. “It’s kinda edgy. I like it.”

  Maddie lit up. “Me too.”

  “But, next time, maybe let a grown up do it, just in case you poke an eye out or something.” Evelina reached into her pocket. “Here’s a little treat for later.” She handed Maddie a stick of gum. “Something to take your mind off it.”

  “Wow!” Maddie gazed dow
n at the silver wrapper in awe. “Thanks, Evelina!”

  “No problem.” Evelina remembered what it was like to be young and all alone, having come to St. Cecelia’s at the age of five when her parents died. “See you tonight for that rubber of Hearts.” Or chasing the bitch, as Lily called it.

  Maddie smiled and waved, skipping off down the hall.

  Evelina sucked in a deep breath as she turned toward the office. Her hand trembled as she pushed opened the heavy oak door.

  “Evelina!” Sister Roberta, the secretary, beamed. “Just the young lady we needed to see.” Her brown eyes turned gooey beneath her black veil. “Go right in. Sister Juliana has been expecting you.”

  Evelina’s heart fluttered.

  Wow!

  Not the welcome she’d expected, but who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth. Unless it was some kind of sick game—some new mental torture—put your victim at ease and then pounce. Two weeks of garbage duty would have twice the impact after a reception as sweet as that.

  “Thanks.” She forced a brief smile before heading for the interior door.

  “Evelina!” Sister Juliana appeared just as happy to see her when she opened the door. “Have a seat. Sister Rosalina must have told you to come.”

  Evelina let the breath out she’d been holding.

  Holy Crap!

  Was she in an alternate universe?

  “Yes, she did.” Evelina sat down, hands folded, feet tucked under the straight-backed chair. Crossing your legs was frowned upon at St. Cecilia’s. Sister Juliana declared it exposed too much skin. The human body, especially the female one, was a sacred vessel to be revered, but never displayed.

  Sister Juliana laid down her silver pen carefully on the desk, then continued in the same patient tone. “As you know Christmas holidays are right around the corner. Only a few short weeks away.”

  Evelina blinked.

  Really!

  Apparently, this had nothing to do with music class.

  Strange.

  Sister Mary Elephant never let anyone skate.

  “And you’ll be pleased to know,” Sister Juliana continued, dove grey eyes blinking, “I’ve heard from your aunts.”

  Evelina’s heart gave a leap.

  She hadn’t heard from them in months. Not since Grammy Crimm told her the aunties were heading south for the winter. Apparently Water Witches followed the seasons like migrating birds.

  “They’ve arranged for you to fly to St. Augusta to join them for the holidays.”

  St. Augusta? Florida? So that’s where they were. Lightning cut her Cosmic Call to Grammy Crimm short before she could get the details.

  Evelina’s blood bubbled with anticipation. “When do I leave?” The sooner, the better. Hopefully, before Sister Mary Elephant reported the incident in music class.

  “The end of the week.”

  Rats!

  Not soon enough. Unless, she could pull off an amnesia spell. But, with no spell book and very little experience it was unlikely.

  Witches didn’t leave spell books just lying around. Magic was dangerous in the wrong hands. Grammy Crimm cautioned her about this many times. Besides, it was a secret world. The lives of witches and mortals must never touch.

  Evelina hurried from Juliana’s office, searching her brain for a human way out of her predicament. Not that it would do much good, if history was anything to go by. There was no escaping the claw.

  What good was being a Water Witch if she couldn’t use her powers?

  She flew down the hall, so distracted she almost trampled Lily to death.

  “What happened?” Lily’s eyes grew as big as her spectacles. “What did you get? Cafeteria duty? Not garbage, I hope?”

  “Nothing!” Evelina gave a nervous laugh, not quite believing it herself. “She didn’t say anything about music class.” But it was only a matter of time before Sister Mary Elephant caught up with her. Evelina grabbed Lily by the arm, steering her toward the library. “What are you doing for Christmas holidays?”

  Henrietta burst from the second floor washroom like a buffalo ready to charge, blocking their path.

  Evelina searched for some escape, but there was nowhere to go—not even a cliff near by to run her off.

  “What are you doing, Orph?”

  Evelina drew herself up to her full five foot nine inches. She’d grown another whole inch in the last six months, since she’d turned seventeen—a good five inches taller than Henrietta.

  Lily took a step back. “We were just discussing Christmas holidays as a matter of fact.” Her voice held a nervous quiver, but she stood her ground, ever the polite diplomat. “What are your plans, Henrietta?”

  “None of your business!” Henrietta planted her hands on her hips, jutting out her square chin. “Or your skinny, freak friend!”

  Rage rushed over Evelina like a tsunami, but she managed to keep her temper in check. After all, we were here on a journey of compassion, as the Sisters preached. It was weak to give in to anger. So, she gritted her teeth while it throbbed in her ears. “Well, have a nice holiday, Henrietta.”

  Evelina made to go around her.

  Henrietta blocked her again. “What are you doin’ for the holidays? Hangin’ out at the soup kitchen? Hittin’ a few rummage sales?”

  Evelina went hot from the tip of her toes to the end of her ponytail.

  “Come on!” Lily grabbed her by the arm.

  Evelina remained rooted to the spot. She’d tried to show compassion. She’d tried to do what the good Sisters said. But Henrietta had a way of getting under her skin—making her blood boil, until it spurted out her ears like lava, setting her on fire.

  Right now that fire was raging out of control.

  “There’s no crime in being poor or hungry.” Henrietta could certainly afford to miss a few meals. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe all that fat was turning rancid, affecting her brain, making her cruel and selfish. “You should come and help Sister Roberta at the shelter on Saturday. I’ve met some really nice people there.” The students of St. Cecelia’s volunteered at the shelter once a month, but Henrietta invariably came down with the trots or some other mysterious illness.

  “I don’t need to give to charity.” Henrietta snarled. “I’ve got parents to do that for me. I’m not an orph like you!”

  Evelina sucked in a sharp breath.

  She silently counted to ten.

  But it was too late.

  Her blood started to bubble.

  “What’s that?” She pointed behind Henrietta. “You’ve got something hanging out of your kilt.” Evelina made a swirling arc with her finger in the vicinity of Henrietta’s backside. “It looks like a piece of toilet paper or something.”

  Henrietta’s black eyes narrowed. “Yeah, right!” But she looked just the same. Her mouth gaped when she spotted the long, white strip of toilet paper streaming from under her kilt. “What the…”

  Evelina was almost as surprised as Henrietta.

  The spell had been a complete leap of faith.

  She couldn’t believe it!

  It worked!

  Henrietta pulled and pulled, but the toilet paper kept on coming.

  She yanked harder and harder, and faster and faster.

  “What is it?” She screeched. “Get it off me!”

  She started to run.

  Her screams echoed down the hall behind her.

  At the same time class was getting out. The crowd in the hall spread wide to let her pass. Hoots of hilarity followed her crooked path.

  Evelina couldn’t help but smile. Casting spells within the vicinity of mortals was strictly forbidden, but it was worth it, just this once, to see the look on Henrietta’s face.

  Evelina didn’t hang around to gloat. Besides, curiosity was killing her. She grabbed Lily by the arm. “Have you ever heard of a place named St. Augusta?”

  “No.” Lily sent her a startled glance. “But I’m going there for Christmas vacation.”

  Joy filled Evelina
’s heart. “You are?” She squealed, squeezing Lily by the arm. “So am I!”

  “Really?” Lily’s chestnut eyes sparkled. “This can’t be a coincidence.”

  “But I thought Flurries were only held during the summer?” Evelina’s brain raced for an explanation. The only possible reason for her and Lily to be headed to the same holiday destination was on Water Witch business. Their families had no other connection. But the Flurry was held in the summer? Maybe it had something to do with the warlocks? That was it! “It must be the Glaring.”

  “The Warlock competition?” Lily’s mouth formed an O. “Of course! That’s why Mother packed her pith helmet. I questioned her, but she wouldn’t let anything slip. You know how she is.”

  Evelina gave a sympathetic nod. Mrs. Huckabone was a hard case. She never broke the rules. Getting information from her would be impossible. At least Lily had tried. “Warlocks acted as security for us at the Flurry. It makes sense that we’ll serve a similar function at the Glaring.” But who knew. Novice Water Witches weren’t privy to much information concerning their future, only what they could pry out of their mentors the night before the first Flurry. Everything was kept hush, hush, information being slowly released by their councilors, like a line of bait. They had no idea it was a competition to determine the Diviner until it was well under way.

  Which drove Evelina crazy.

  If the Glaring was taking place in St. Augusta they needed to be prepared. She grabbed Lily by the arm. “Come on.”

  “Where?”

  “To the library.” Evelina tugged Lily along. “We’ve got some research to do.”

  ***

  The old Spanish City of St. Augusta bustled with tourists on Christmas vacation. Evelina hardly knew where to look first as she threaded her way down the crowded street. Her research hadn’t done it justice—what little she had time for after garbage duty. It was much more exotic in person.

  She felt as though she’d stepped back in time.

  Bushes covered with red and yellow hibiscus formed hedges, between colorful shops along the brick-lined streets. Palm trees swayed on tall trunks overhead. The smell of chocolate and candied pecans drifted out the door of every candy shop. Artists sat behind easels, painting portraits. A singer crooned a haunting ballad on the next corner, strumming a red guitar.