Cursed Cove: Keepers of Devil's Bay, #1

By Heather Salter-Purves

Secrets are about to break the surface

The small lakeside town of Devil's Bay is left rocked by the loss of Kimberly Nerdua who went missing during a boat race during this year's Summer festival. Delilah and Kimberly have fought most of their lives to break free of each other. Delilah is still haunted by the events of the accident with her sister. With images of the nightmarish creatures lurking in the water. Their Talons clawing for the surface. Long-held secrets about this picturesque town will be aired. From axe-wielding hermits, strange beasts in the water, and town legends.

The Neruda family and townspeople will be pushed to breaking point.

 

slide on into a booth order a milkshake and enjoy your first visit to Devil's Bay.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Salter-Purves
• Release date: Oct 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223552628

Heather Salter-Purves

Heather Salter-Purves is an English rose living in Western Australia. She has always lost herself in dark magical stories. Heather spends her days enjoying watching her toddler, Cadence, discover the world. As a queer author of dark fantasy and supernatural horror. She slays her dyslexia with the support of her beautiful wife Lee-Anne and her feet are covered by her rescued Staffy cross Jersey and her grumpy old cat mahogany

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

INTO CHOPPY WATERS

Delilah’s throat stung as she reluctantly swallowed some salty lake water after falling from the canoe. Fully submerged and disoriented, Delilah took a moment to calm herself and figure out where she had ended up in relation to the canoe and her sister, Kimberly. Panic began to set in, despite the lessons they had received over their summer years growing up around the water. Once a haven from the demands of her mother, now a place where she couldn’t discern top from bottom.

Once Delilah had found the direction of the surface, she rose swiftly, taking that moment to embrace the comfort of her second home once again. The only area of town that had requested nothing more from her other than respect. Giving her the freedom and belonging from her family that she so desperately needed.

Nature was still in full party mode, and the water had become even choppier; the remaining light that pierced through the cloudy water cut through at odd angles.

The image that Delilah had pictured where she expected to be was no longer clear. She was closer to the Maze Reef shelf. Breaking the surface, she realised was further out of Pine Island than she had thought.

Kimberly broke the surface of the choppy waves with all the grace and power she had drawn to herself from the bay. She coughed up a small amount of lake water and pushed her water darkened strawberry-blond hair out of her eyes. She began twisting around while effortlessly treading water, worriedly looking for Delilah. The other half of her complete set. She did not spot her mirrored face. Kimberly took a deep breath, preparing to dive under the surface once again, hoping her eyes would adjust. Stroking through the cloudy water, Kimberly thought she saw Delilah’s tangle of red hair fighting her way towards either Kimberly or the surface through the murky water. Yet, Delilah was nowhere to be seen. Kimberly spied a reddish-haired person swiftly hurtling towards her, out of the corner of her eye.

Instantly there was a sting of pain radiating up her leg. Seconds later, a scarlet cloud blossomed around her, becoming thicker as the red-headed figure circled back to her. She could hear a muffled scream rising from the figure. She felt her ankle being grabbed. She was being pulled her down. Kimberly let out a cry, bubbles rising towards the surface light, slipping away. Something strange aligned with Kimberly’s view. A long ebony snake-like limb swam them deeper into the lake under the Maze Reef shelves. Her lungs and eyes burned as the creature dragged her into the depths of the lake. Kimberly’s ears popped as her eyes burned, and her lungs begged for more air.

After re-orienting herself, Delilah noted the canoe had drifted out of sight in the rough water, nor could she see any of the other racers. Shivering and tired, her thoughts returned to her sister, and she made one last dive with diminishing hope of finding her and making it back to shore. The race was now a secondary thought. She would handle their parents’ opinions later.

She went to kick back towards the surface of the lake. Yet felt a tugging followed by a scraping sensation along the lower half of her leg where her ankle met her calf. Looking down, Delilah saw that her foot had become lodged in the reef, unaware she had ventured so close. She had spent multiple summer’s snorkelling around the various coves and reefs of Devil’s Bay with the cautioning voice of adults not to get herself caught on the Maze Reef shelf. Blood mixed with the water, drifting off in pale pink ribbons. Absently, it occurred to her she was glad the fishing season had not truly kicked in. It meant the large fish wouldn’t come looking for a snack.

Delilah felt a burning sensation inside her chest. She knew she was running out of air. Delilah began drifting into the shadowy arms of unconsciousness, beckoning around the edge of her vision, luring her to stay in a dance of death. If Delilah didn’t gain more air into her lungs, she would blackout. Before Delilah could give in to the temptation of her unfamiliar dance partner, there was a frantic tugging on her ankle.

Panicked, Delilah looked down, praying not to see any shelf-dwelling bottom feeders such as crabs or eels making a meal out of her ankle. Only to watch a cloud of strawberry-blond hair whipping around in the water’s current. Straining to keep the last ounces of oxygen, Delilah was thankful of Kimberly’s help, despite the venom they had both been spitting toward each other. Finally, admitting that sharing the label of ‘Neruda twin’ wasn’t the most terrible part of their lives. However, it was too late - Delilah lost consciousness. The shadowy spectra took her away into its warm embrace. It returned her to see the vision of soft lights playing over the pebble strewn shore of Pine Island.

Delilah rolled on to her side, feeling the gritty sand and broken shells scraping along her body. Pine Island came into focus. The sun had begun its crawl towards the horizon. Mother Nature was painting the sky with her pastels for the second time that day. A tacky feeling had settled on Delilah’s hands. It pulled her back to the reality of what was happening around her. Dazedly, Delilah looked down at her hands to find a horrifying sight of a rust-coloured film covering her hands. Inches away from where Delilah had re-entered the waking world was a jagged piece of glass coated with the same rust-coloured liquid. Slowly she gathered herself and stood. She wandered down the shoreline of Pine Island. Delilah hoped Kimberly was okay and praying that she had also, somehow, made it to the unsettling security of Pine Island. The sun’s light was leaving the island, taking its warmth with it, leaving Delilah cold and shivering. She slowly made her way to the side of Pine Island that faced Devil’s Bay, so that she might get help back home. The pain bit up her ankle, inching its way up her leg. Stopping, Delilah took the time to stem the bleeding. She sat on a rock, tearing the lower half of her damaged aqua-sport shirt, creating a makeshift bandage.

Spotlights shone over the route of the regatta race from a range of townsfolk used boats. A good deal of townspeople was out helping in the search for the twins, who had grown in two different, yet equally valued, members of Devil’s Bay. People were yelling over the top of each other, drumming up a considerable level of noise. The voice that rang out loudest for Delilah, the petite red-haired twin, was Dom, her Turtle boy. Dom, who had spent many shadowed nights jumping in fear at the television screen, seeing the gore that often-amused Delilah. She was desperate to reach one of the few people of Devil’s Bay who had seemed to have a disinterest in the step-ford perfection that was Kimberly. Ignoring the scream of pain that tore up her leg, Delilah moved quicker. Dom came splashing through the shallows, scooping her up into that cuddle that made her feel entirely seen.

Oh my god, Vixen! What happened? How are you? Are you hurt? Dom asked rapidly, looking her over. Dom took her weight and waded out to the rescue boat. Returning Delilah to her father's arms, which had never gripped so tight around her. The time that had passed since the start of the race had seemed to age him a decade.

Sitting in the boat's front wrapped in blankets, Delilah joined in the search for her sister. Shining the spotlight over the water of the lake. The night dragged on as the search party were about to return to shore to attend to any other injuries that Delilah might have. Ouch! she said.

Sorry sweetie, I’m just cleaning your ankle, Jones said, kneeling in front of her, first aid kit open on the boat hull next to him. Delilah smiled to see her boss squatting there. She turned her attention back to the water, shining the spotlight over the lessening waves. Delilah caught sight of a strawberry-blond head bobbing to the port side of the boat. Before reason, or anyone, could grab hold of her, Delilah was diving over the side of the boat back into the lake.

After hitting the water, Delilah squeezed her eyes tight briefly to let her eyes adjust to the water. Her head spun around trying to peer through the cloud of bubbles surrounding her. After the bubbles cleared, she found herself alone in the water. She looked up at the shocked faces of the search party. They pulled Delilah back into the boat. She met her father's face, a mixture of rage and panic.

Delilah’s stomach dropped. I thought I saw...never mind. It must have been a trick of the light.

You thought you saw what? her father asked.

I thought I saw Kimberly.

Delilah you are shivering. Let’s get you back to Rouges Jetty and into some warmer clothes. Jones cleaned your ankle. But your mother should check if you need stiches, Mr Neruda said, as he placed a towel and blanket around Delilah shoulders again.

CHAPTER TWO

QUESTIONS

The boat carrying the recovered twin, Delilah, returned to Rouge Jetty. Members of the town crowded the entrance of the jetty, watching to see if the lake had returned each of the Neruda girls.

Delilah stepped onto the end of Rouge Jetty wrapped in a crinkling silver thermal blanket. Camilla Neruda furiously pulled her daughter into her arms with a thud. Tears ran down Dr Neruda’s face, landing on Delilah’s cheek. Mr Neruda was helped out of the boat by Dom, who then stepped back, giving the family a moment to reconnect. Flashing lights broke the tender moment as the police vessel tied to the dock. Other boats returned for the evening after searching. officers shepherded Delilah and her parents through the worried crowds, still milling around on the shore or packing up the festival to make room for the requirements of a search headquarters which had been set up hastily.

Shakily making their way up, the lamp lit the main street towards the police station. Delilah and her family tried to keep their focus on the pavement right in front of them. Delilah stared down at her hands with a sickening feeling that the browning film that coated them was the blood from one of them. Delilah shook her head thinking of the Dettol Jones used to clear ankle that might be the answer rather than blood. Pulling the silver foil around her shoulders tighter, Delilah snuggled into the pit of her father's arm, grateful that he was holding her. Doors to the station opened onto a scene that Delilah had only seen in movies.

They appointed a junior officer to escort the Neruda’s and walk them down a narrow corridor lined with half Perspex-walled offices. They passed by a room with a wall dedicated to the search. Delilah glanced into the room briefly. Maps pinned to boards overlain with outlining squares. Officers and anglers were crowding around the wall layout, consulting, and pointing and marking off sections on the grid. An officer directed the Neruda family into the rear rooms of the station. The police officers sat Delilah and her parents down in the second to last interview room, which had a musky smell to it—adding to the already unwelcoming atmosphere the place had.

They sat down in the cracked green vinyl-covered chairs, crowding around the circular table. Delilah rested her head on the dusty table, which had turned grimy, hands despondently flopped in her lap. Patting her father and mother on the shoulder, the junior officer offered tea and coffee to both of them. Delilah flushed with embarrassment as the sound of growling resonated from her stomach. Mr Neruda turned to his daughter sitting in front of him.

Darling, when was the last time you ate something? Concern creased his brow.

Probably about a half-hour before the race, Delilah replied, startled, realizing that it must have been hours ago. Her mother turned anxiously to her husband as he asked that some food and drink also be brought for their daughter.

Annoyance flashed over Dr Neruda’s face. Astonished that either of her family members present, her husband or daughter, could think of food at a time like this while Kimberly remained missing! The officer replied with a nod of his head and retreated. Delilah was feeling some relief from the tension bubbling up between herself and her parents. Dr Neruda scooped her chair closer to Delilah so that anyone walking past the room couldn’t hear the conversation. She mustered up a sugar-coated voice just in case there was any recording equipment in the room.

Sweetheart, where is your sister? she cooed, as she looked at her husband for support. Delilah rolled her head to the side to look at her mother.

I do not know. Our canoe flipped; my ankle got caught in the reef. I blacked out. Next thing I woke up on Pine Island and Kimberly was nowhere to be seen 

Think harder, sweetie. Why did you jump back in the lake once we found you? her father nudged gently.

Delilah sat up in the chair fully, looking at her father, tears welling in both their eyes.

When I had the spotlight, I thought I saw Kimberly bobbing in the water.

Camilla Neruda jumped on that piece of information. Grabbing hold of Delilah’s chin, twisting her head back to look at her desperation raging in her eyes. Was it her?

Mr Neruda took his wife’s hand off Delilah’s chin. Delilah rubbed it for a moment before answering the question.

Once the bubbles cleared, it was only me in the water

The officer returned moments later, juggling a tray with a couple of doughnuts along with a stack of brightly coloured cups, a steaming pot of tea, and a small pot of drip coffee, the latter better-resembling motor oil.

I’m sorry Delilah, these may be slightly stale, but it was all that we seemed to have in the staffroom, the officer said.

Gratefully, Delilah took the doughnuts, smiling sweetly. Thank you. This is great. Is there any way I could have a shower and get warm? 

The tension soared like the weather outside, hitting a high point with the entrance of a plainly dressed man with a badge on his belt loop. He introduced himself as the lead investigator, Inspector Johnstown, shaking hands with both Mr and Dr Neruda, explaining he needed to have a few moments to chat with Delilah.

The junior officer who had been taking primary care of the Neruda family turned quickly.

Sir, Delilah asked that she might be able to have a shower and change  into something warmer. She has been gone for a long time.

Sorry, not until all evidence photos are taken, as well as her statement recorded, the inspector said regretfully. It won’t take much longer to finish here and then your  daughter can get a change of cloth and some rest, Inspector Johnstown said to Mr and Dr Neruda.

Mr Neruda turned his attention to inspector Johnstown, annoyance creeping across his face. Can’t you see my daughter is shivering? She’s been through a hell of an ordeal!

Dr Neruda interrupted, belatedly demanding, If I may treat her, she’s been injured and in shock and in these wet clothes for hours.

Mr Neruda finished, And right now you want to subject her to further stresses such as photographs and taking a statement? 

Inspector Johnstown apologised again. Mr Neruda, it is imperative we speak to your daughter while the event is fresh in her mind. She might recall something which would help find your other daughter sooner. Time is of the essence. Looking around, he added, But, yes, the room is cold. We will remedy that now. Turning to the younger officer, he instructed him to turn off the air-conditioning to allow the room to warm up.

Realizing the truth of what he was saying,   Mr Neruda conceded. Fine. The statement, photographs, and evidence collection may occur. However, my daughter will answer none of your questions until she has warmed up with something   dry on her body, and she has eaten something other than doughnuts! I’m not having both my daughter sick, unwell or worse! 

The inspector considered her father’s point and offered to speed up the process as much as possible. He said he would organise the medical care and left the room. He was looking pointedly at the junior officer to walk with him.

As soon as the door closed, Dr Neruda spun around, fury flashing in her eyes and hissed, "Really? You’re worried about Delilah getting something like a cold. Our dear Kimberly is still out there missing! Turning to her daughter, she unleashed another rant. How can you be so selfish, Delilah?"

Paralysed for a moment, Delilah looked, feeling guilty and annoyed at letting herself have a selfish moment. Her mother’s outburst entirely surprised Delilah.

Of course, Kimberly was her mother’s major priority, Delilah thought to herself. Leading further into her thought that, of course, Kimberly, the golden child, was the centre of attention of their mother’s life.

Delilah entered a separate room where the photos were taken. First,