Evelina and the Reef Hag Page 6

  She lifted one up to take a swig of the sweet milk inside.

  Poof!

  Burble appeared.

  Coconut milk spurted from Evelina’s lips, like spray from a blow hole.

  “Good morning, girls!” A cheery smile accompanied Burble’s robust greeting. “I trust you slept well and are in tip-top shape.”

  Evelina wiped the drips from her chin, attempting to appear alert—not so difficult it turned out. Burble’s sudden appearance had jump-started her brain along with her heart.

  Abby rolled out of her hammock like a soldier at reveille.

  Tally stumbled behind with a dazed look.

  “I’ve brought your assignment for the day.” Burble bugled on. “Lake of the Isles will act as score keepers. Mentors will join us at the challenge for further instructions. Apprentices will, of course, assist as well.”

  Tingles of excitement chased over Evelina’s skin. Mentors and apprentices were a wealth of information. Hopefully, there’d be a question and answer session like they’d had at the Flurry. She was bursting with questions, mostly about the warlocks and their mysterious society.

  At last they might learn some more magic.

  “Before we begin, I must inform you,” Burble looked each of them in eye, one after the other, “there has been a death!”

  “Wow!” Evelina shifted her gaze from Abby to Tally, then back to Burble again, hoping they all appeared sufficiently shocked. “I mean that’s terrible.” She assumed a grim look. “Who died?”

  “A novice warlock by the name of Melvin Ruggles.”

  “What happened?” Tally’s voice trembled.

  “Apparently, he was poisoned by a Reef Hag” Burble intoned. “We’re not sure when it entered his nervous system. All good memories were erased until there was only bad. He died of a broken heart. It simply snapped in two—not a clean break, mind you, but a jagged crack that did unspeakable damage, according to the Soul Sifter who examined him.”

  Abby’s dark brows converged. “I thought Water Witches had many lives.”

  “Nine to be precise, but only one spirit.” Burble’s voice grew low and quiet. “When that is gone, you are lost forever.”

  “What happened to him?” Evelina couldn’t help but ask.

  “We cannot be certain.” Burble flattened her lips. “He’s wandered into the mist—an unconsecrated part of the firmament. Very difficult to trace.”

  “To oblivion?”

  “Heavens no! Worse than that!” Burble warbled. “Only the Witches’ Council can send you there. And only they may call you back.”

  “Can’t something be done?” Tally’s features scrunched. “Can’t the Council do anything—send out a search party?”

  “His cosmic twin is searching for him now. With any luck, she’ll get a lead, but there are no guarantees.”

  According to Grammy Crimm, all Water Witches had a cosmic twin watching over them, but they rarely revealed themselves. Few witches discovered the identity of their cosmic guardian. It wasn’t necessary.

  Evelina disagreed. She had a burning desire to know who hers was. After all, didn’t she have a right to know who was shadowing her every move? Shouldn’t there be an interview process or something. What if there was some conflict of interest. How did you know if they really had their heart in it?

  “In the meantime,” Burble’s voice interrupted her thoughts, “be careful out there.”

  “Careful of what?” Abby spread her hands wide. “We don’t even know what this Reef Hag looks like!”

  “I do.” Evelina said.

  A collective gasp followed.

  “Take care,” Burble’s voice rose. “Contact is never random when a Reef Hag is involved.”

  “She’s after Evelina?” Abby’s chest puffed out like she was bristling for a fight. “Is that what you’re saying?”

  “Or someone close to her.” Burble leveled a long look on Evelina, as though she might pull it from her brain. “It’s difficult to say.”

  “What can we do?” Tally shifted her gaze from one end of the tree fort to the other, as though expecting the Reef Hag to leap out. “I understand she can take other forms.”

  “Don’t talk to strangers.” Abby cocked her head at Tally. “Especially the kind who want to brand a branch on your heel.”

  “What if it happens?” Evelina felt it prudent to ask.

  “Know your heart.” Burble sounded grave. “Trust in your powers and no poison can leak in. There is no other cure.” Burble pulled a sea sponge out of her pocket, tossed it on the bar, then pulled her ear. “I have great faith in you, girls!” She trilled.

  And

  Poof!

  She disappeared.

  Abby appeared miffed. “We don’t even have our powers yet.”

  “That’s why she’s targeting novices.” Evelina trembled. “We have no confidence. We don’t know the full source of our powers.”

  Tally stared at the spot Burble vacated. “Which means we’re sitting ducks.”

  ***

  “It’s ugly.”

  “It’s stupid.”

  “It’s gross!” Evelina said with great feeling, weighing in after Abby and Tally.

  “How did we get stuck doing this?” Abby scrunched up her nose, staring down at the slimy squid in her hand. “Damn! I was hoping for messenger duty. When do we get to drive one of those Air Jet things?”

  “Possibly next time.” Tally grimaced, plopping another squid down on the table for Abby to squeeze the ink out of. “Of course, only pages deliver official council news.”

  As though on cue, Lily zoomed by in an Air Jet, smiling and waving madly at Evelina from the white flying scooter.

  Evelina waved back, wishing she could talk to Lily for just a few minutes. She was anxious to hear news from White Water, or anything Lily might know about the sudden death of Melvin Ruggles.

  Right now she had to concentrate on getting through this competition without puking.

  “Petrified. Did you get that?” Abby nudged Evelina’s arm. “For Oceana.” Abby tossed the squid into the tank under the surfboard.

  Evelina gazed into the bamboo bucket to see if she’d heard right. The word ‘puddles’ floated in the water in black ink where Abby squeezed the squid. “Petrified.” Evelina scrawled the word on the chalkboard behind her. “They each have three.”

  “Two more.” Tally gave a shiver. “Then they can unscramble the words and chant the correct spell.”

  Evelina pondered the list.

  A tough challenge.

  The wind was high and the ocean choppy.

  The novice warlocks had to dive from their raft into the ocean to retrieve squids, tagged with their tribal color, then swim to shore and deliver it to the recording station—their job. When squeezed each squid spelled a word. Abby wasn’t liking that a whole lot. After delivering all five, the last warlock must unscramble the words to complete a spell. The first team who did won.

  Apprentices and mentors cheered them on from shore. Warlock councilors kept watch from a podium, which resembled a large crow’s nest on the edge of the shore. The pressure was on.

  “Hummm.” Evelina considered the list. She read Oceana’s aloud, “Papaya, petrified, puddles.”

  Abby gave a hoot of laughter. “What kind of spell is that?”

  Evelina continued to read, White Water’s this time. “Fixed, for, locks.” Her gaze shifted to Lake of the Isles. “Thunder, battle, and blood.”

  CRACK!

  A bolt of lightning split the air, slicing the surfboard in half, catapulting the bucket into the air.

  The squids screeched in the tank below.

  Evelina jumped back. “Whoa! I thought you had to have all five for the spell to work!”

  “Wow!” Abby waved at the smoke, rising from the burnt surfboard. “You added an ‘and’ I think.”

  Nebula Sludge stalked toward them, appearing out of nowhere. “Don’t speak the words, Crimm!” Her face puckered in outrage. “Onl
y write them.” Her slanted green eyes narrowed to slits. “I thought I made that perfectly clear.”

  Evelina’s cheeks flamed. She blurted the first thing that popped into her head. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I am not here,” Sludge gritted. “Except to watch over you novices.” Her lips curled in a look of distaste. “This is the Glaring. Witches don’t interfere.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Get this mess cleaned up,” Sludge hissed. “Now!”

  Evelina cringed as she watched Sludge storm away, serpentine curls twisting in the wind.

  “Here they come!” Tally pointed at the next round of novices thrashing over the breakers to make it to shore. “We’ve got to do something.”

  Evelina swung round, searching the dunes—the grove of palms—left, right, looking for something—anything, to hold up the surfboard.

  Ah ha!

  A chunk of driftwood, the size of a small stump.

  The problem was, how could they get it here?

  There wasn’t enough time.

  The warlocks splashed out of the surf with their squids toward the recording station.

  The problem was, they’d just destroyed it.

  Evelina’s palms oozed sweat.

  They were in big poo poo if they screwed up this competition.

  She raised her finger, tracing the outline of the stump, as though sketching it on a page.

  And with a flick of her finger.

  Poof!

  It was under one busted half of the surfboard.

  Abby’s mouth dropped wide.

  Tally gave a squeal of surprise.

  Abby came to life, racing to dip the bucket into the tank.

  The bucket landed on the surfboard full of water as the first warlock skidded across the sand to the station.

  Four squids were squeezed, followed by four more.

  Oceana unscrambled their spell first shouting, “Petrified papaya puddles, effluo scintillo!”

  A three tiered fountain appeared, gurgling and bubbling papaya juice in an endless supply.

  Gasps followed.

  The crowd hooted and whistled.

  No doubt everyone was getting sick of coconut juice and water. Evelina joined in the applause. She certainly was. A fountain like that would look nice in their tree fort right about now.

  “Maybe we should give that spell a try,” Abby said out of the side of her mouth, clapping loudly.

  “Effluo Scintillo is classic—right out of the spell book.” Tally stuck her head between them, along with her two cents. “The rest is specific—a one time deal—an enchantment that lasts as long as the creator of the spell wishes—in this case one of the councilors, whoever is in charge of rewards.”

  “How could you possibly know that?” Abby wore a look of amazed horror. “We barely had a chance to leaf through the spell book at the Flurry.”

  “I have an exceptional memory,” Tally said matter-of-factly. “I remember it distinctly, because I was hoping to tap into it to increase my productivity. You know, flow and shine. That’s what it means—Effluo Scintillo.”

  “You’re a freak.” Abby whacked her on the back. “But we love ya’.”

  They trudged back to the tree fort and collapsed in a heap.

  ***

  Sunday was spent with their mentors in an informal question and answer session, as Evelina hoped, though she found it difficult to concentrate, thinking of tomorrow and her upcoming meeting with Frankie. There were so many things she wanted to say, but so many things she knew she couldn’t.

  For now, she’d have to be content with grilling her mentors and whatever she could squeeze out of Grammy Crimm during her monthly Cosmic Call.

  After a cold supper of fruit and coconut meat, Evelina took the swing elevator down, then trod to the beach.

  The moon glowed like a bright spotlight on the white sand. The palms rustled in the evening breeze. Wings flapped in the distance, followed by a low growl, mingling with other night sounds.

  Evelina reached for the silver chain around her neck. She rubbed the black pearl, whispering, “Where are you, Grammy Crimm?”

  Poof!

  Her wish came true.

  Grammy Crimm appeared decked out in a flowered blue housedress. “Hello, my love!” Her sunny smile lit up the night beneath the swirling white waves on her head. “You’re at the Glaring. What excitement!”

  The joy in her voice rippled over Evelina like a laughing brook, filling her heart to the brim. There was no one like Grammy Crimm. The sparkle twinkling in her eyes lit up Evelina, spreading love over every corner of her flesh.

  “I did so enjoy the Glarings,” Grammy Crimm said.

  “Today was certainly interesting,” Evelina agreed. “Oceana won. But I suppose you know that?”

  “Yes.” Grammy Crimm’s blue eyes glittered. “The Council watches these things very carefully.”

  “Then you know about Melvin Ruggles.”

  “We do.” Her gentle voice turned grave. “There’s an investigation under way. Raskin Lipworth, the chief prosecutor, is questioning anyone who had anything to do with it.”

  That sounded ominous. “I found him dead.”

  “So I hear.” She didn’t sound shocked. “Be careful of what you say, my dear.”

  Evelina’s heart picked up speed. “I didn’t have anything to do with it!”

  “Of course not.” Grammy Crimm waved a depreciative hand. “But there are those who would point the finger at anyone they can, especially during a competition. The stakes are high.”

  “You mean the Swamp Hags.”

  “And others, working with them.” Grammy Crimm wore a grim look. “Tribe members turn against each other when it comes to gaining a seat on the Council.”

  “To help friends?”

  “Nepotism is rampant, I’m afraid.” She shook her head. “One cut and we all bleed to death.”

  “But that isn’t right!”

  “No, it isn’t. Many of us are working to change this. But it takes time.” She folded her hands in front of her and smiled. “But, let’s talk of happier things. “How’s your friend, Frankie Holler?”

  Evelina shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant. “He promised the Council to stay away from me.”

  “Ha! A mistake on their part.” She gave a sparkle of laughter. “Love grows stronger once denied.”

  Evelina stiffened. “Doesn’t the Council have more important things to do than spy on us?”

  “No, no. It’s nothing like that. Even we have our limits, you know—invasions of privacy are taken very seriously. It’s strictly forbidden.”

  “Like Time Keepers and Water Witches marrying.”

  “Time Keepers have never married for love.” Grammy Crimm nodded. “Your parents dying under suspicious circumstances didn’t help that taboo.”

  Evelina breathed a great sigh. If only she could prove they met with foul play and it had nothing to do with her father being a Time Keeper. They were investigating black magic spells. But that’s all she knew. “I wish I knew how they died.”

  “It’s being investigated.” There was finality in Grammy Crimm’s tone as though she didn’t want Evelina getting involved. Maybe it would jeopardize her seat on the Council. “Things must be done through the right channels to make charges stick.”

  “Why are you my cosmic contact?” Evelina changed the subject to another question that had been burning a hole in her brain. “I mean who decides that?”

  “There is no choice. You are the next novice in our line and I the last to pass.”

  “But, what if you hadn’t passed?”

  “Then my mother would have been your contact as she was your mother’s.”

  “Is that how you became such a powerful witch? From secrets passed down through the generations?”

  “Powers can’t be taught.” Her expression grew serious. “They come from within. Only then can you use a spell to its fullest.”

  “Burble’s all about
the spell book. She wants us to learn it from cover to cover.” The spell book was enormous. Each spell had infinite variations. Evelina’s mind whirled just thinking about it. Her memory stunk. She’d always had to study her guts out to pass any tests at school.

  “It isn’t the spell, but the witch behind it.” Grammy Crimm’s lips firmed. “However, Councilor Burble is right. You must know both.” She smiled. “You will in time.”

  Hopefully, before the Reef Hag reared her ugly head.

  ***

  “You killed the wrong novice!” Wendell roared over the rush of the surf under the pier. “You stupid hag!”

  The Reef Hag’s silver eyes sparked in the darkness. “I take what opportunities arise.”

  Wendell jerked away. “I told you to take out one of Oceana’s first. They’re our strongest opponent.”

  “I take my orders from the one who summoned me,” she hissed. “Not some half-crippled Novice.”

  Wendell’s face suffused with heat, setting his ears on fire. But he managed to choke down his rage. “Save it!” He bit out. “I’m no real novice. Your poison doesn’t work on me.”

  She gave a loud cackle. “Are you certain?”

  Wendell ignored her sly look. “You take orders from me when he isn’t here.”

  “Raskin Lipworth is questioning everyone.”

  “I know.”

  “He knows you were there.”

  “Holler must have ratted me out.”

  “Or the Crimm girl.” She smiled knowingly.

  He slashed her a dark look. “She’s a novice.” His voice turned harsh, despite all attempts to hide his disquiet. “She knows nothing. Leave her to me.”

  Her glittering eyes narrowed. “I could deal with her next.”

  Rage engulfed him. But he beat it down, gritting out, “Stay away from her. She’s mine. Do you hear me?”

  “You’re protecting her!” she announced with triumph. “Why?”

  “Of course not. We have a score to settle, that’s all.” He reached over and grabbed her by the throat. “If you deprive me of that pleasure, you old hag,” he said slowly and distinctly, applying just enough pressure to make her rasp. “I’ll seek my revenge with you.”

  Chapter Six

  “Raskin Lipworth is here, in St. Augusta?” Evelina blinked against the bright sun, but failed to read Frankie’s expression under the shadow of the stone fountain. “Already?”