River Hag

By Pelaam

FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE PELAAM

Book five in The Devil's in the Details series

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Aug 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781839432088

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by Pelaam

Single Books

Dragon’s Lair

French Lessons

Firebird

The Devil’s in the Details

Sex Spells

The Red Thirst

The Eye of Evil

La Petite Mort

Collections

A Little Bit Cupid: The Moment

Rules of Summer: Molten

Some Like it Haunted: The Witching Hour

The Devil’s in the Details

RIVER HAG

PELAAM

River Hag

ISBN # 978-1-83943-208-8

©Copyright Pelaam 2022

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright August 2022

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2022 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book five in the

Devil’s in the Details series

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.

Dedication

To my partner, who stands by me when times are hard.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Jeep: FCA US LLC

The Hobbit: J.R.R. Tolkien

Chester Grosvenor:

Thranduil: J.R.R. Tolkien

Village of the Damned: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Chapter One

From his bedroom doorway, Keegan winced as he listened to his mother and stepfather argue. He hoped it didn’t end as so many of them had before, with his mother sporting a new bruise and claiming she’d walked into a door, tripped and fallen or inadvertently punched herself when changing the duvet.

The rows had increased in frequency and intensity over the last couple of years. He wants me out of the house, but I didn’t get the qualifications I needed to go to uni. I spent too much time babysitting. At least with my brother Jonnie now being at school, he doesn’t have to see or hear this.

He needs a fucking job, not this stupid college thing. Frank’s voice boomed up the stairs, and Keegan cringed closer to the doorframe.

Getting into college had been his one saving hope. That by studying there, he’d upgrade his qualifications enough to secure a place in university. But the college was no haven. The class bully had found Keegan to be a suitable victim, and his life there was being made a misery. And that homophobic prick of a principal has done nothing to stop it.

He’s been bullied. Keegan’s mother’s voice was starting to waiver, and Keegan clenched his hands into fists.

Then he needs to be a man and deal with it, not run and hide behind you. Pathetic little pansy. You’ve made him soft.

That was the last straw. Keegan ran down the stairs and into the living room.

"Don’t you dare diss my mother." Anger sizzled through Keegan’s veins, even though Frank had several inches and almost a hundred pounds on him.

"Well, maybe if you were as quick to defend yourself, you wouldn’t get bullied. Frank stuck his meaty fists onto his hips. She says you’re taking a mental health day. Well, fuck that. Either you go to that college like you’re meant to or you drop out and find somewhere else to live. I’m not having a freeloader living here. I work, she works and either you study and move out or quit and move out. I don’t care which."

It’s too late to go in now, and the college allows students to take odd days off, so there’s no issue with today. I’ll be back there tomorrow, and as soon as I can, I’ll be out of here.

Keegan, no. His mother looked devastated, and he hurried to clasp her hands, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

And as soon as I have somewhere settled, you and Jonnie are coming to live with me. Don’t think his fists will stop at you. You have to think of Jonnie.

Why don’t you go out for a nice walk by the river? Ellie smiled at him, even if her lips trembled. There are fixings for sandwiches in the fridge and a couple of cans of soda. Maybe some friends will join you after class.

Too fucking soft. Frank scowled as he pushed his way past Keegan and his mother, and Keegan let out a silent sigh of relief.

Go. Hurry. Ellie jerked her head toward the kitchen and moved as if to shield him from Frank’s view.

It didn’t take Keegan long to make up a set of cheese and pickle sandwiches for himself and some tuna ones in a separate wrapper. Adding a packet of chips and a can of soda to each, he bundled them up securely

Keegan packed the two separate sets of food into a rucksack and went out through the kitchen door. The last thing he needed was to run into his stepfather again. Keegan didn’t have to think where he could go. He already had a favorite part of the river.

This wasn’t the part of the wall and river that tourists frequented. It was in a quiet and secluded area. There was a secondary trail worn where people had left the main pathway and which disappeared into a mix of undergrowth and trees that overhung the river.

After a few minutes of determined ducking and weaving, Keegan emerged at a comfortable place to sit, hidden from the walkers along the top of the wall and from the few equally dogged fishermen who lined the riverbank.

Several meters to his left was a thick overhang of trees, impossible to penetrate, but Keegan gave a whistle, which was answered a moment later.

Hi, Ginny. How are you, today? Keegan settled down and dug into his rucksack.

Very well. I didn’t expect you. The voice was soft and slightly accented, and Keegan sighed.

Yeah, well. I should be in college, but I took the day off. There’s a class bully who has decided I’m fair game, and I just couldn’t handle it today. Here… I made you up a snack pack. Keegan tossed the well-packed tuna sandwiches, chips and drink over the impenetrable foliage.

The rustling noise confirmed that Ginny had it, and he chuckled softly at the rapid crunching noises.

You really like chips. You can have mine, too. The sandwiches will be enough for me.

Chips are good. There was a suitable pause before the crunching resumed.

You know, we’ve talked for a long time. It’s nice to have a friend I can chat with. I wish you didn’t keep your distance, though. Keegan peered into the bushes, but it was impossible for him to see through to the other side. I wish you didn’t have to live this way.

I’m not like you. Ginny finally whispered. I don’t want you to not talk to me anymore.

Why would I do that? Because you’re homeless and live rough? That doesn’t bother me.

"Tell me about this bully." Ginny spoke the word as if it were unfamiliar, and Keegan took a bite from his sandwich while he considered her request.

Usual story… He’s big and brash, has a couple of sycophants who hang off his every cruel word and mean joke. Look… You have your secret about living here, and I have mine. I’m gay. I like boys. I always have. There was never a time when I wanted a girlfriend. Do you still want to be my friend?

Yes. Boy, girl, all the same. No difference.

I’m glad to hear you say so. There are a lot of people who wouldn’t agree with that sentiment at all. Well, anyway, Owen found out I was gay. He has left stuff in my locker, on my desk and would have probably given me a beating on one occasion if one of the other students hadn’t noticed something going on and come over to investigate.

Hurt you? Ginny’s voice grew sharper, and Keegan shivered as a cool breeze disturbed the normal sheltered aspect of his hiding place.

Don’t worry. He didn’t. Not yet anyway. Keegan had no illusions that while Owen remained at the college, there would inevitably be a confrontation. But I need this course to get to uni. Better to go as a mature