Evelina and the Reef Hag Read Online Free

called. “We must get you to bed and have you well rested come morning.”
    “What’s happening then?” Evelina couldn’t help but ask as she closed the door with a click. There was never a dull moment with the aunties, that was to be expected. Just the same, she’d rather be prepared for the next bizarre event.
    In fact, she was bursting with questions. For instance, if Water Witches only converged for Flurries during summer vacation, why was Lily meeting her mother in St. Augusta. There had to be a reason they were both here.
    Was it the Glaring?
    “Saturday, of course,” Mrs. Segal said, as though that explained everything.
    “Market day at the pier.” Udora turned from the pot to look down the length of her nose. “The day Philyra tries to sell everything that isn’t nailed down.” She sounded less than impressed. “Last week it was her seashell collection and a selection of sagging undergarments that hadn’t seen the light of day since Salem . This week, it’s likely to be poop on a stick. Prepare for the worst and you won’t be disappointed.”
    “Preposterous! No one would buy that.” Mrs. Segal gave a great peal of laughter. “I hardly think so! No, no, no. This week I have something completely spectacular, I’ll have you know. I’ve come up with a line of bath balms, with intoxicating ocean scents.”
      Udora wrinkled her nose. “Is that what I smelled?” She turned to Evelina. “Philyra is enamored with the idea of becoming an entrepreneur.” Udora pointed her spoon at Evelina. “Never embroil yourself in her schemes.”
    “Don’t believe it! They’re delicious!” Mrs. Segal hustled off, returning a few moments later with a blue chalky ball in her hand. “Isn’t it lovely? I mixed it myself. Just drop this into the rinse water and you’ll see how it fizzles.” She scurried to the agate sink under the window to plop the bath balm in. “There!” She slapped her hands together in triumph. “Come and see!” She motioned Evelina closer. “Look at it go!”
    Evelina hurried forward.
    Udora leaned over on the step stool to gaze down at the thing.
    The blue ball bubbled and bobbed in the water, growing more and more agitated—increasing in vigor.
    Then,
    With a great leap—splashed suds everywhere.
    Mrs. Segal gave a hoot of glee. “My, this is a lively one.”
    And then,
    Boom!
    Water exploded everywhere.
    Suds bubbled out over the counter.
    The bubbles grew bigger and bigger, swelling to the size of beach balls, spilling out onto the floor.
    Evelina leapt onto a wicker chair.
    “Good gracious!” Udora climbed from the step stool to the counter attempting to escape the deluge, rising higher than a foot in the room. “You of all people must know, you cannot sell enchantments to mortals.”
    “I didn’t use a spell.” Mrs. Segal’s blue eyes widened as the bubbles rose to her hips. She began to slip and slide. “It was my own recipe.”
    “I suppose you consider anything labelled ‘bomb’ fair warning!”
    “It wasn’t that kind of bomb!”
    Udora glowered down at her. “I must respectfully disagree.”
    Mrs. Segal screeched as she lost her footing. Her legs flew out from under her, depositing her with a hollow thump on the floor. “Something must have gone wrong!” She shouted through a tunnel of foam. “There seems to have been an overreaction.”
    “So it would seem.” Udora waved her wooden spoon at the mess. “You cannot sell this toxic sludge.”
    “Oh well, back to the drawing board,” Mrs. Segal said with a bright smile, struggling to her feet, “You must admit, it smells divine.”
    “I shall admit nothing of the kind.” Udora narrowed her gaze on Mrs. Segal. “Except that you are insane!”

    ***
    Jogging along the beach, under the shadow of the moon, stirred Evelina’s blood—like she’d been there before. Some innate sense whispered against her skin on the salty wind. The crash of the surf called to her. Come closer. Come here.
    For a split