Evelina and the Reef Hag Part 24

Evelina wove her way down the brick-lined street toward the tattoo parlor.

Closed, the sign read in the window when they arrived.

"d.a.m.n!" Evelina gnashed her teeth, swallowing down her disappointment. "She's the only lead to my necklace."

"Don't worry." Frankie took her by the hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "We'll find it."

She gazed up at him, losing herself in the amber depths of his eyes.

The screech of a child snapped her out of it.

A toddler in a stroller had lost his helium balloon.

Evelina raced down the bustling street after it.

Frankie snagged it at the same time as her.

Their fingers collided like two live wires, sending sparks skipping over Evelina's skin.

She s.n.a.t.c.hed her hand away, allowing him to return the balloon to the grinning toddler's mother, who was hot on the chase, apparently anxious to stifle his screeching.

It seemed the morning had had a happy ending, after all, despite the tattoo parlor being closed.

But Frankie was right. If Psycho Sally was in cahoots with Thoosa Barnes, best to keep her distance. Evelina sucked in a fortifying breath. And she certainly would-as soon as she found her necklace.

Chapter Thirteen.

"You did well to inform your aunts right way." Grammy Crimm floated above the dunes like a holographic mist.

Warmth spread through Evelina at the praise. "Let's hope they catch her."

Grammy Crimm's tone turned serious. "She cannot be caught, only destroyed."

Great. "How do you do that?"

"You must pierce her heart-let the blackness escape."

"At least we know who's form she's taken." Evelina s.h.i.+vered, wondering what it must be like to have your body invaded by a Reef Hag. She remembered how the Reef Hag had transformed, leaving Psycho Sally half crazed, writhing in pain. "It's a start."

"She'll strike again, and very soon, if I'm not mistaken." Grammy Crimm nodded her white head, making her double chin wobble. "You must be on your guard."

"I will." Evelina attempted to infuse as much confidence as she could into her voice.

"Now." Grammy Crimm's blue eyes twinkled. "Have you been drawing and painting-keeping up your art?"

"I'll never give up my art." Evelina jumped at the chance to make her views clear. "That's what I am-an artist."

"We are many things," Grammy said brightly. "You're also a witch. You must pursue your art, of course. But, responsibilities come first." Grammy flashed a knowing smile. "I have no doubt you'll find a way to make it all work."

Evelina drew herself up to her full height. She wanted to say that she was an artist first and a witch second. But no sense quibbling. "I will."

"Tell me about this young Time Keeper of yours."

"He isn't mine." Evelina bristled. "He's betrothed."

"I'm sorry, my dear." Grammy Crimm blinked. "I would have warned you if I could."

Evelina forced a smile. "It's alright."

"Oh dear! But our time is up." Grammy Crimm started to fade. "It goes so quickly." She blew a kiss. "Take care, my love. Keep up the good work."

Poof!

She disappeared.

Evelina barely had time to raise her hand to wave.

A faint loneliness washed over her as she turned to head back down the beach.

But it didn't linger long.

There would be more Cosmic Calls. Knowing that had a cathartic effect, lifting her up-making all things possible again. Grammy Crimm had a way about her-a sparkle in her eye, a warmth in her sweet smile, or some special magic deep within.

It was difficult to tell whether it was because she was her grandmother, or something more mysterious-the great power other witches whispered about. To Evelina it was simply love. There need be no other explanation.

Kamaria buzzed up to her ear, breathing heavy and flapping hard.

Evelina gave a jump at her sudden appearance.

"Come on, Toots! I haven't got all night."

"Since when were you in a hurry to get to work?"

"Since I overheard something particularly valuable to your case."

"What case?"

Karmaria pointed a red nailed finger at her. "You're after the Reef Hag, aren't ya?"

"Yes."

"Well, if you aren't a gumshoe, I'm not a Moon Fairy." Her voice turned surly. "You've been sticking your nose in everyone's business since the moment I laid eyes on you-mostly dangerous business."

Evelina's cheeks went hot. "Someone's got to do it!"

Kararia folded her arms under her heaving bosom. "And that someone's got to be you, right?"

Evelina sucked in air between her teeth. "Yes."

"Maybe I was wrong." Kamaria shrugged. "Maybe it's not that important." She zoomed ahead down the beach.

Evelina sprinted after her. "What did you hear?" She panted catching up with her. "Tell me!"

"Well..." Kamaria did a loop in the air, circling Evelina's head. "Apparently..." She hovered inches from Evelina's nose. "Things are about to heat up."

"How?"

"Something big is blowing in."

"Like what?"

Kamaria blinked her big sapphire eyes. "Like Stymphes."

"What's that?"

"You don't know anything, do ya', kid?" Kamaria sliced her a look of disgust. "Something nasty! That's what."

"Who told you that?"

"They did." Kamaria pointed out into the foaming surf.

Little twinkling lights danced above the moonlit waves.

As Evelina drew closer she realized they were tiny people, albeit unusual ones. Their white hair stood up on their head like dandelions gone to seed, glowing like light bulbs. Pointed ears stood up on their heads as pink as their skin, barely covered by skimpy gra.s.s skirts and loin cloths. At least a dozen leaped and hopped in some wild dance, undulating to the beat of a tiny bongo, one pounded strapped to his hip.

Another one broke the circle, flew toward them like a stinging bee, then buzzed back just as fast.

Evelina gasped, jumping back.

High sparkles of laughter erupted from the group.

Kamaria flicked a lock of silvery blond hair over her shoulder. "Haven't you seen Dune Pixies before?"

"No." Evelina continued to stare. "I haven't." Not that anything should surprise her now. "But, I'll have what they're having."

"You don't get out much, do ya', Toots?"

"They told you these Stymphes were coming?" Hard to believe. They seemed to be lost in some wild delirium. Maybe it was a hallucination from whatever they were smokin'.

"That's right, sweetie." Kamaria morphed from the size of a bee to a hummingbird. "They've got ears everywhere-on every beach. Word is, the Reef Hag sent for reinforcements."

"And you believe them?" Everyone had their thing about them, but these Dune Pixies seemed a bit unbalanced, writhing like crazed hula dancers in the surf. "I mean, I thought all pixies were pranksters."

"Ha! n.o.body jokes about Stymphes!" Kamaria lost the lilt in her voice. "It's not a surprise. Wherever the Reef Hag goes, they're not far behind."

Everything grew dark.

A shadow eclipsed the silvery moon hanging over the waves.

It resembled a pair of giant wings.

The bongos stopped, replaced by cries and screams.

The Dune Pixies scattered like peeping chicks.

"Stymphes!"

"Run!"

"Hold on!!" Kamaria screeched.

Evelina grabbed the back of Kamaria's red satin swim suit with both hands.

Kamaria shot up into the air.

Evelina hung on, sailing behind like an over-sized tail.

A piercing call echoed over the water.

Evelina looked behind.

A silver bird, as large as a pterodactyl, and uglier than a cormorant, emerged from the clouds, gaining on them fast.

Evelina went cold. "Here it comes!"

Whoos.h.!.+

A long silver blade shot past them so fast Evelina felt the heat of friction against her cheek.

Another blade sliced by on the other side.

They were coming from the Stymphe.

Its feathers were knives.

Terror gripped her.

Kamaria made a sharp dive, avoiding another blade by inches.

The island materialized below.

They sailed toward the ground like a downed plane.