Free Evelina and the Reef Hag by R.A. Donnelly Page A

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?”
      “Yes.” His golden gaze locked with hers, causing her heart to skip. “Be careful of what you say.”
    “That’s what Grammy Crimm said.” She shrugged. “But I didn’t see anything.” It was so dark, and it happened so fast. “I don’t know what actually happened. I just found him there. Dead.” She shivered, remembering his vacant stare. “He was just lying there… so white, so cold—so young.”
    Frankie’s expression turned grim. “We have to find the Reef Hag before it happens again. Oceana’s the top tribe. They’re favored to win. If she takes out one of their novices, it could change everything.”
    “Maybe she’ll lead us to whoever’s behind all of this—the black market spells?”
    “It’s an interesting coincidence that you received a Wave Wire the night after she appeared on the beach.”
      “What do you mean?” Her heart sank. She realized now, deep down, she’d hoped it was from one of her parents, not some cruel trick of the Swamp Hags. “I thought you said it was old?”
    “It is,” he said hastily, as though sensing her disappointment. “But it’s hard to say how old. The only real way to find out is to do what it says.”
    “Count the coins in Cutthroat Cove.” Evelina gazed around at the tourists, throwing coins in the fountain. Others tramped past toward the wharf to tour the pirate ship. “The only coins are in the fountain.” She peered down at the thousands of coins. It couldn’t mean that.
    Frankie