Evelina and the Reef Hag Read online

  Evelina quickly showed Abby and Tally what to do.

  And then, they were off—on another wild goose chase.

  As usual there was little instruction, which drove Evelina crazy. She liked to know what she was getting into. She liked to be prepared. Being thrown into one situation after another without knowing a thing drove her around the bend.

  But it soon became clear as they followed the clams what was up.

  The challenge appeared to be some sort of snakes and ladders obstacle course in the trees.

  Novice warlocks went shimmying up palm trees, then leaping to other trees to swing high in the air from ropes to the next tree. Sometimes, there was no rope and they hit a waterslide. They received messages at certain check points, which told them which direction to take.

  It didn’t look very dangerous. There were nets everywhere. In fact, it looked like a lot of fun.

  The clam putted through the air at a leisurely pace, blowing bubbles behind it like a boat motor as it guided her through the trees.

  Evelina gritted her teeth.

  She consulted her watch.

  Thirty seconds left.

  Oh man!

  Was this the slowest clam on earth or what! You’d think it had all the time in the world. If only she could do something to hurry it up, but she didn’t speak clam.

  She heaved a great sigh of relief when she finally arrived at the check point just in time.

  “Thanks!” A warlock in emerald surf shorts grabbed the clam from her hand.

  The clam burped.

  A bubble floated up.

  It grew and grew.

  Then

  POP!

  It burst, revealing a bow and arrow that shot a glittering trail to another palm tree.

  The warlock raced off.

  Evelina brushed her hands together and smiled.

  Mission accomplished.

  She cranked the throttle on the Air Jet and headed back to the scoring station.

  She was almost there when she spotted something in the distance through the trees.

  Or someone.

  As she putted closer she realized it was a person, lying face down on the path.

  She hopped off the Air Jet just as Abby and Tally zoomed up.

  “He looks dead.” Abby peered down from her perch on the jet.

  Evelina knelt down, then placed two fingers against his neck to feel for a pulse.

  Nothing.

  Her heart gave a thud. “He is.” She shook her head. “He’s from Oceana. Now White Water and Oceana are both down one warlock.”

  Abby scowled down at the victim. “This gives the Swamp Hogs a huge advantage.”

  Evelina rolled him over in the sand.

  He looked familiar… that mop of curly black hair.

  And yet… she didn’t know him.

  “How could this have happened?” Tally wore a look of horror. “There was supposed to be nets everywhere on the course. It’s an enchantment. It’s not supposed to fail.”

  Evelina came to her feet. “Maybe he veered off course.”

  “Maybe something led him off course.” Abby shifted her gaze to the wild jungle around them. “And that’s how he fell.”

  A vision of falling into Psycho Sally’s table at the pier flashed through Evelina’s brain. “That’s where I saw him!”

  “Who?” Abby and Tally chanted in unison.

  Evelina pointed at the body. “Him.”

  Finding one dead body was difficult enough to explain.

  But two?

  That was going to be a lot harder.

  Chapter Nine

  “Evelina Crimm?”

  Evelina rose up on her elbows in the sand where she’d been sketching on the beach. She squinted against the brilliance of the morning sun, but all she could make out was a man’s dark silhouette. “Yes?”

  “Member of Lake of the Isles?”

  “Yes,” she replied, then cursed silently for doing so. “Why?” It was difficult to keep the annoyance from her voice. This was the first chance she’d had to enjoy a little solitude since she arrived. Not that she minded surf lessons at the crack of dawn, but right now she needed a break. Was that too much to ask? “What’s this all about?” She came to her knees to get a better look.

  His head blocked the sun, making a halo while bringing his face into focus. He didn’t appear as tall as she first imagined.

  “It is my duty to inform you that you are under investigation by the Witches’ Council.” His tone turned dark. “I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me.”

  Tiny prickles danced over her skin. “Come with you?” That didn’t sound good. “Come with you where?”

  “For questioning.” He swept both hands in the air.

  And…

  Poof!

  Gold bars appeared, encircling her like a cage.

  Panic welled up in her throat.

  She turned around and around—one way and then another, not quite believing her eyes.

  Nothing but blue—excepting one fluffy cloud below. She appeared to be suspended in a giant bird cage in the sky. “Where am I?” she demanded, shaking the curved bars. “Let me out of here!!!”

  No one answered.

  There was no one and nothing in sight—only a vast, endless blue.

  There wasn’t a sound.

  Not even an echo.

  Fear clutched her like an icy fist.

  She was all alone.

  No one could hear her pleas.

  A sob rose in her throat. None of this should be happening! She was an artist, not a witch! That was her calling. She hadn’t asked for any of this!

  If she ever found her ring again, she’d tell Granny Crimm so. Evelina’s eyes welled up with tears. If she ever saw her again!

  Poof!

  A man appeared, floating cross-legged in the air. His keen gaze flicked over her from head to toe, while his mane of chestnut hair blew behind him in the breeze. But his eyes were the most fascinating.

  “You’re a Soul Sifter.”

  He flashed a smile. “Am I?”

  “You have one green eye and one blue eye, and you’re here to ask questions.” She shrugged. “Who else would you be?”

  “Who else, indeed.” He flashed a brief smile. “I’m here to help you.”

  “Great!” Relief washed over her. “You can start by getting me out of here.” She rattled the cage. “Do you have a key to this thing?”

  “Only you can release it.”

  “Me?” Her gaze scoured every inch of the thing. “How?”

  “By telling the truth.” He pulled a pen and a pad of paper from the pocket of his blue shorts. “Did you or did you not murder Melvin Ruggles?”

  “No!”

  “Hmmm…” He gazed down the length of this nose. “What about Rolly Ringrose?”

  “Do I look like a cold-blooded killer?”

  “Most psychopaths appear completely normal. Only their actions set them apart.” His mouth turned down in a look of distaste. “The truth always comes out in the end.”

  Evelina groaned. She might as well come clean. “Okay. I ate Henrietta Ledbetter’s candy bar, but only because she raided Lily’s stash and Lily had a belly ache. It felt like justice at the time, but I can see now it was wrong.”

  “Hmm… Can be coerced by a friend, if angry.” He continued to write. “But,” he glanced up from his notepad, “you did not murder her?”

  “Of course not!”

  “Noted.” He glanced up again, cracking a pleasant smile. “Have you ever contemplated or engaged in a violent act?”

  Evelina shrugged. Who hadn’t to some degree or another? “I stomped down an ant hill once, but they attacked me first. They were all over me, running up my legs—even into my shorts.”

  “Hmm… Can become violent if provoked.”

  “It was an ant hill!”

  “Especially with ants in her pants.”

  “No!” She sucked in a deep calming breath. “Look. You’
ve got this all wrong.”

  He lifted one dark brow.

  “I’m not a violent person. It was in self-defense.”

  “Noted.”

  “If you’re a Soul Sifter and you can read my mind, you must know I haven’t killed anyone.”

  “I can only read your mind if you request it.”

  “Oh.” Relief washed over her. “Then, why did they send you to question me?”

  “I’m impartial.” He shrugged. “And I work for peanuts. How are you on nuts?”

  “What?”

  “Do you like them?”

  “Why?”

  “Just wondering.”

  “I guess.” And they thought she was crazy.

  “You seem a little unfocused.”

  “Really?” He was calling her unfocused! “Maybe that’s because I’m sitting in a giant birdcage in the sky, getting the third degree.”

  He raised one chestnut brow. “Do you feel threatened?”

  “Of course!”

  “Hmmm…good.” He made a few more checks down the length of his notepad. “Thank you for your co-operation. You’re free to go.”

  He made a flourish with one hand.

  And.

  Poof!

  The bottom of the cage disappeared.

  She plummeted through the air.

  Before she could think of a spell, let alone conjure one, the ocean appeared.

  She landed in the water with a loud splash, sinking, like an olive in cocktail, bubbles fizzing all around her.

  It took a moment for the shock to wear off.

  When it did, her air had run out.

  Panic licked over her.

  She kicked as fast as she could, rising up and up. Her lungs burned and her head grew light, but she kept on kicking. She bobbed to the surface with a whoosh and a strangled gasp.

  When her pulse slowed, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

  Shore loomed insight—in fact, the very beach where she’d been snatched.

  She’d assumed her incarceration to be a million light-years away. But, all this time she’d been right here—above the beach. How weird was that?

  She took a deep breath then swam for shore.

  Splashing out of the surf, she suddenly remembered the Coconut Shack. She had to work at noon. She glanced up at the sun. It soared high in the sky.

  Not good.

  She raced for her towel and beach bag, then tore down the beach.

  “Holy crap!” Abby exclaimed when Evelina finally stumbled into the shack. “Where have you been?”

  “In jail.” She couldn’t help but smile, as she tied on her pink apron. It was so good to be on dry land again, she felt giddy—she felt like dancing. “Being questioned by the Witches’ Council.”

  “What?” Tally appeared amazed.

  “Holy shit!” Abby lifted both dark brows. “Really? What happened?”

  “What did you say?” Tally cut in.

  “I just told the truth.”

  A group of bikini clad girls rushed the shack, laughing and chatting.

  “It’s a long story.” Not to mention a ridiculous one. It might take some explaining. She needed to get her head around it first. “I’ll tell you later.” She stepped forward to take the orders.

  Abby made the cones.

  Tally manned the cash.

  It was a slick system. They were all about efficiency—an excellent team. They had to be, with the Swamp Hags ten feet away in the Hell Hut, waving their wieners in everybody’s face.

  Today, Judy Cheetum had dressed up in a hotdog costume again, parading up and down the beach in front of the hut to lure more victims. Meanwhile, Suzie Cheetum raced around the hut cooking wienies until her freckles conjoined, turning her face fire red. During lulls Judy marched over to change their seasonal tally. Right now the chalkboard read Five hundred and sixty-eight customers served.

  It was a freak show.

  “Watch this,” Abby said with suppressed glee. She strode out of the Coconut Shack, came round the corner and nailed up a chalkboard of her own. It read Five hundred and sixty-nine served.

  “That’s certainly inaccurate.” Tally spread both hands wide. “We have no count. There’s no way of knowing how many we’ve sold.”

  “Exactly!” Abby declared. “If we’re going to do this thing it’s only fair we start on an even keel.”

  Judy Cheetum stalked over dragging her inflatable bun in the sand. “Yeah right!” She sneered. “Where do you get that from?”

  Abby grinned. “The same place you get yours.”

  Judy’s green eyes narrowed. “You’re tellin’ me you’ve got the sales tapes to back that up?”

  “Of course.” Abby set her hands on her hips. “Do you?”

  “Of course!” Judy snapped.

  “Perfect,” Abby said. “Maybe we should have a little wager.”

  “Like what?”

  “Best sales team wins some advertising. If you win we’ll wear your wiener suit. If we win, you can wear our suit.”

  “For a whole day.”

  “Sure.”

  “Each of you.”

  “Okay.” Abby folded her arms across her chest. “At the end of the holiday we’ll both produce our sales tapes.” She held out her hand. “Deal?”

  A smirk cracked Judy’s face. “Deal.” She spun on her heel, ignoring Abby’s hand. “Suckers!”

  “Maybe she forgot?” Evelina said. “There’s three of us and only two of them.”

  “Exactly.” Abby flashed a wide smile. “They’ll never win.”

  As if to prove her wrong, Cliff sauntered over from the direction of the Hell Hut.

  “Hey!” Abby pointed at the hotdog in his hand. “What do you think you’re doing, Robinson?”

  “I’m hungry.” He sounded unconcerned. “When I’m thirsty I’ll come here.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. “Thanks. You’re a peach.”

  Evelina smiled. At least he was honest. Which is what she’d been with the Council. Maybe that Soul Sifter did have some powers after all.

  She’d told them everything she knew.

  Hopefully, that was the end of it.

  “Oh yeah, Frankie got held up.” Cliff leaned over the counter toward Evelina. “He said he’d meet you at the Six Doubloons.”

  Evelina blinked in shock.

  Wow.

  He hadn’t forgotten.

  ***

  “Looks like a party.” Frankie’s husky voice gave Evelina a start.

  His eyes glowed gold in the lamplight, a shade darker than his skin. The sight of him sucked the air straight from her lungs.

  But she wasn’t about to let him know that.

  He grinned.

  Blood rushed in her ears. She willed her voice to calm past her dry throat. “Looks like it.”

  A laughing couple stumbled out the door, flinging a burst of music behind them out onto the street.

  “Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Let’s check it out.”

  Hopefully they could get upstairs to do some snooping around.

  Music and laughter hit her like a wall the moment they stepped inside. It wove up and around her like a living thing. The place was packed.

  “Meet you back at the bar,” she called over the noise.

  Frankie nodded, veering right.

  Evelina headed for the stairs.

  Upstairs appeared to be a bar with cafe tables out on a veranda and a small polished dance floor where half naked people danced like maniacs.

  She did a quick tour, but there wasn’t much to investigate.

  “Find anything?” Frankie said when she finally made it back downstairs.

  She shook her head.

  “Look at this.” He handed her a copy of one of the paper placemats from a tray at the end of the bar. “It says the Six Doubloons was named after a ship.”

  “Wow.”

  “A Spanish frigate.” Frankie echoed what she read. “The English captured it in the harbor by the fountain.”<
br />
  “It was renamed The Coral Belle.”

  “We saw that ship at the wharf by the fort.”

  “Yes.” Evelina remembered it bobbing in the harbor. “It’s some kind of floating museum.”

  “Maybe this isn’t the Six Doubloons the Wave Wire was talking about.”

  Evelina scanned the advertisement. “Looks like they do fancy dinner cruises or something.”

  “There’s a midnight cruise.” Frankie pointed at the list. “Tonight.”

  “It leaves at eight.” Evelina glanced at her watch. “It’s ten to.” She groaned. “Crap! We’ll never make it.”

  “Come on!” He grabbed her by the hand.

  A shiver raced up her back.

  Was he planning what she thought he was planning?

  God! She hoped so.

  Frankie yanked her around the side of the building, into the inky shadows. “Hang on!”

  Evelina raised her arms around his neck. A bubble of excitement rose in her chest as his arms slid around her waist. Her skin tingled against the warmth of his sun-kissed flesh.

  They shot up into the night sky, rising higher and higher, until the Old City melted into a spray of twinkling lights.

  A thrill rushed through her.

  There was nothing better than this!

  Flying made every molecule of her sing!

  She wanted it to last forever.

  But before she knew it, it was over.

  They zoomed back to Earth much too fast.

  The ocean came into focus, growing larger and larger, until the ship and the wharf materialized before them.

  They landed in a gush of swirling wind.

  She gave a sigh as her feet hit the ground.

  It was never long enough—the heady excitement of flying. Or the feel of Frankie’s arms wrapped tightly around her. It was enough to make your head spin. Goosebumps remained long after his arms fell away.

  Evelina followed him down the wharf in a mixture of elation and disappointment—a familiar condition whenever Frankie Holler was near. You’d think she’d be used to it by now.

  “Two tickets, please.” Frankie’s voice broke into her thoughts.

  “We’re full up.” A helium voice replied from the crow’s nest shaped booth. “Next boat, nine a.m. sharp.”

  “Are you sure?”

  The tiny pirate scowled under his lemon crown of hedgehog hair. “Of course I’m sure!”

  “Couldn’t you make an exception?” Frankie slipped his arm around Evelina’s waist, pulling her close. “It would mean a lot to us. It’s our anniversary tonight.”