Evelina and the Reef Hag Read Online Free Page A

second she thought she saw two shining eyes in the white curl of a wave.
    She switched her flashlight off and checked again.
    Nothing.
    Hmmm.
    Just the light of a trawler, miles out.
    Evelina spun round to head back up the beach with her tin crab bucket clattering at her side.
    She didn’t want the aunties to worry.
    A flash of color stopped her in her tracks.
    She sucked in a sharp gasp.
    A strange young woman blocked her path. Her slanted eyes gleamed like silver coins in the moonlight. She had a wild look about her.
    Her body appeared to be covered in a mirage of kaleidoscope tattoos, in brilliant shades of fire red, deep purple, and magnetic blue. Her long ebony hair twisted like dangling screws. The gap between her front teeth appeared wide enough to slip a lima bean through.
    Evelina took a step back.
    The woman laughed, a high pitched sound, twisting and tossing on the wind, sending shivers rattling up Evelina’s limbs. “You’re a long way from home, Evelina Crimm.”
    Evelina stared back at her. How did she know her name? “Who are you?” She demanded. “How do you know my name?” “
    “I know many things about you.” The woman’s gaze narrowed while the crinkled skirt of her purple gypsy dress swirled around her bare calves like licking flames. “A Time Keeper’s daughter, born of a Water Witch.” Her black eyes squeezed to slits. Her mouth widened in a long grin, turning her face to the mug of a cat. “You’re a friend of Frankie Hollers, ain’t ya?”
    “Yes.” At least she had been once. “How do you know him?”
    “ Yoo hoo! Evelina!”
    Evelina turned at the sound of Mrs. Segal’s call.
    When she turned back around the woman was gone.
    Vanished.
    For a moment she thought she saw a silvery glint in the rush of the surf.
    Shivery fingers ran up her back.
    Who was she?
    How did she know so many things about her?
    Evelina quickened her pace, hurrying up the beach to meet the aunties.
    “I saw a woman down the beach.” Evelina pointed behind her with her thumb when she reached them. “Maybe you know her. She was covered in tattoos. Had the strangest eyes. She said she knew me.”
    “Oh dear!” Mrs. Segal appeared startled. “Oh my!”
    “Come quickly!” Udora motioned with her hand furiously. “Come!”
    “Why?” Evelina raced to keep up with the aunties as they hustled up the beach. “Who was she?”
    “A Reef Hag, that’s who,” Udora said with great feeling. “A sly, two-faced piece of baggage, to be avoided at all cost.”
    “Why?”
    Udora halted, spinning to face her. “Never look one in the eye in broad daylight. They’ll poison your soul.”
    “How do they do that?”
    “In the eyes and in the blood.” Udora made a V with two fingers in front of her face. “They confuse your instincts, eroding everything good, until there’s nothing left but mud.”
    “In the blood?” Evelina’s heart tripped. “How?”
    “Udora! Stop frightening the child. For goodness sake!” Mrs. Segal turned to Evelina, but kept moving at a fast clip. “Not to worry. They never come out in daylight.”
    “Except, when they take another form.” Udora’s voice echoed as dark as a dirge. “When they’re looking for someone.”
    “That hardly ever happens.” Mrs. Segal scolded, breaking into a half run. “Not to worry. They usually come out at night, not by day. And then, by all means, stay away. It’s not good. Come quickly. Time to go in.”
    With all the talk of Reef Hags, Evelina was relieved to finally reach the safety of the little pink beach house.
    Udora had the place in lock down with a few flicks of her finger.
    Curtains swished, locks clicked, and a big wooden bar fell into place with a thump against the door.
    But, as Evelina slid betwixt the cool white sheets in her cozy azure bedroom in the loft, she shivered, remembering how the Reef Hag knew her name—how she knew about Frankie and her parents—how she knew everything about her.

    ***
    The market at the pier