River Hag by Pelaam
Book 5 in the The Devil’s in the Details series
General Release Date: 30th August 2022
Word Count: 32,322
Book Length: SHORT NOVEL
Pages: 137
Genres:
ANGELS AND DEMONS,CONTEMPORARY,GAY,GLBTQI,PARANORMAL
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Book Description
Sometimes, a friend in need can be deadly in deed.
Keegan has an abusive stepfather, Frank, and is bullied at college. He dodges bullies, led by Owen, by hiding close to the river. He tells his friend about the attacks and his narrow escape. The next day in college, pondweed is found in Owen’s locker, and he blames Keegan. The pondweed is sent to John Bull, and on examination is found to have a paranormal resonance, so he sends Emery, Alex and Kadin to investigate.
When Owen is found drowned in a bathtub, secured with pondweed, the team believe they’re dealing with a grindylow—a river hag. They need to establish whether the creature is acting for its own ends or at someone’s direction. Circumstances point to Keegan, but the team can’t find the connection and feel time is running out.
The next victim is Keegan’s stepfather, and with Keegan missing, Kadin decides to try to communicate with his spirit. He learns that the grindylow is protecting Keegan, but the team know that its nature means that Bo, now Keegan’s lover, will be the next victim.
But first, they need to find Keegan.
Reader advisory: This book portrays the deaths of two secondary characters.
With a sigh, Keegan wriggled into his chosen chair in the classroom to get comfortable. He preferred to be on the side closest to the door. The tutor glanced at him and jerked her head up when she saw him looking at her.
Keegan liked Miss Sissy. An older woman with her hair wound up and secured into a bun and oversized, black-framed spectacles, she looked the epitome of a librarian. But her dress was always bohemian, whether floaty skirts or wide-legged pants, they were teamed with thick-soled boots in a variety of designs.
But it was more than her dress or even her welcoming personality. She was open-minded and hated following rigid rules. Keegan felt he was learning more, progressing rapidly and with better grades, thanks to her way of teaching.
As Keegan bent to pull out the textbooks for the class, Ms. Sissy ducked behind her desk. He looked up as the door slammed open and a furious Owen glared around the room until his gaze fixed on Keegan.
“You fucker. I don’t know how you did it, but you’ll pay.” Owen threw a handful of wet weeds in Keegan’s direction, and the students around him ran from their desks as the plants rained water in several directions before splattering close to Keegan.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Keegan rose slowly, backing away, ready to bolt, although his one exit was blocked by Owen’s bulky body.
“You must have been watching yesterday. Those are the same fucking weeds that were around my ankles when I slipped into the river. They were in my locker. My stuff’s ruined, and you’re responsible.”
“I still have no idea what you’re talking about.” Keegan convinced himself it wasn’t really a lie. He didn’t see Owen fall in or get out, so knew nothing about the dripping weeds. “How would I get weeds like that into the college? How would I get them into your locker?”
“I’ll find out, even if I have to beat the truth out of you.” Owen bunched his hands into fists and took two strides into the room before Ms. Sissy’s voice rang out, stopping him dead.
“You will do no such thing!” She rose from behind her desk, her usual placid and welcoming expression gone, replaced by a look of pure fury. She advanced on him, putting herself between Owen and Keegan. “For your information Owen, Keegan contacted me last night, and I picked him up from home this morning. I brought him in, and we were together in the library, with witnesses, until just before class. We both came straight here. He hasn’t been out of my sight in all that time. I take it your locker was secure?”
“Yes.” Owen dropped his shoulders, his expression sullen. “But someone put that in there.” He glared at Keegan once again.
“Maybe you should look at your own friends. After all, you encourage them to play tricks on others. Go home and change. That stuff stinks, and because, like a fool, you’ve picked it up and carried it here, you do, too. Go on. Get.” Ms. Sissy made a shooing motion with her hands, and Owen turned and stomped out. Right, now to deal with this.” She glared at the weeds and went back to her desk. “I’ll have to sacrifice one of my reusable bags.”
“Can I help?” Keegan hurried to the weeds. “Let me pick them up.”
“No, no.” Ms. Sissy shook her head. “I have gloves in my handbag bag, too. Just a minute.” In a quick burst of efficient activity, Ms. Sissy had bundled up the weeds faster than Keegan thought possible and sealed them in her bag. She even had the floor wiped and tossed the used paper towels into the bin. “There, see? All done. And now that they’re away, the nasty smell has gone, too.”
“No, Ms. Sissy. That’s because Owen has gone.” At the anonymous shout from the back of the class, the rest of the students burst out laughing, but Keegan didn’t feel inclined to join in.
Owen isn’t going to take this lightly. I got away with it before, thanks to Miss Sissy, but I doubt Owen will let what happened go without retaliation. He’ll want to mend his dented reputation.
“Now, now, now. None of that.” Ms. Sissy smiled and wagged a finger, but when she glanced at Keegan, her smile faltered, then was back in full force. “I think there’s been enough excitement for today. Let’s get down to work.”
The students resumed their seats, books were pulled out of bags and the class got under way. But as much as Keegan tried to fully focus on the teacher, a part of this mind kept imagining what Owen would do.
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Pelaam
Living in clean, green New Zealand, Pelaam is a multi-published author of gay romance and erotica.
When not working at writing, Pelaam likes to indulge in her other passions of cookery and wine appreciation.
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