Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

They’ll be back before tonight, and, anyway, who says we have to work all day? I’m sure they won’t mind if we take the day off, will they?”
    She had heard of the concept of a “day off” from a recent visit to the mainland, and was quite taken by the idea.
    “Well, now you mention it, my house is already quite spotless, and I’m sure Rech won’t notice if I don’t do any more to it today,” Kalliope said with a grin.
    “I’ll get the chores done at the big house,” Melantho told Ademia. “You three go and enjoy yourselves.”
    “Oh no, either we all do or none of us do,” Ademia replied, “We’re in this together, sister.”
    Melantho giggled. She was such a hard worker, she wouldn’t usually dream of taking a day off. “Well, only if you’re sure?”
    “We insist,” Ligia informed her with a laugh.
    “Who’s for a swim off Destiny Rock?” Kalliope shouted to the crowd behind them.
    Cheers and whoops filled the air and the girls ran across the island to the causeway, chattering and laughing as they went.
    The sun was rising fast and it was a gloriously hot day. The girls only wore bikinis on the island, so they were all quite prepared for a dip in the cool sea. They splashed and swam, jumping in and out of the water, and sunbathing on the smooth rocks.
    “So much for these hardworking women!” Marinos laughed as he and Blandon took in the sight of the beautiful ladies playing in the deep, green water.
    “Come and join us,” Melantho called over to them. She and Blandon had become quite close lately. They were both shy and quiet, and had helped each other to overcome their nerves about speaking to each other. They were a well-matched pair. He was concerned that she seemed a little reticent sometimes, though, and was biding his time before approaching her for a more physical relationship.
    “OK.” Blandon didn’t need asking twice, and leapt from the rock, dive-bombing into the sea next to her. She squealed in delight and splashed water over him.
    Some of the girls started to make their way back to their huts after a while. Ademia was among them.
    “I daren’t stay out in the sun too long,” she said with a grin. “Jay’ll kill me if he finds out!” Poor Ademia was very fair and had suffered very badly from sunstroke recently.
    Ligia sat up from where she was sunbathing on the flat boulder and waved to her friend as she made her way back across the causeway. She turned to look at the beautiful vista.
    “There’s a ship,” she cried, pointing.
    Red flags warned sailors of the submerged rocks around the island, but there was a small harbor around the other side of Refrainia where ships could safely moor up and afford their crews some respite from the long voyage between mainlands. Often, the crew would be carrying interesting cargo which they would trade for the flowers, fruit, and vegetables which only grew on the island. Some of the islanders had managed to acquire linen, crockery and all sorts of knickknacks this way.
    “Marinos, look!” Kalliope called to the sailor who was sitting on the rock below them. He stood and signaled to Blandon, who immediately climbed out of the water and stood beside him.
    “Do you think it’s going to dock?” Ligia shouted over to the sailors.
    Marinos nodded. “It’s certainly headed this way,” he confirmed. “Come on, Blandon, we’d better meet it at the harbor .”
    The men set off to meet the crew and help them moor up the massive ship.
    “It’s even bigger than our new vessel,” Blandon exclaimed as it neared the island. There were certainly a large number of men on board, many of whom gawped at the two sailors in disbelief.
    “There are people here, captain,” they heard one man yell.
    Some of the girls wandered down to the harbor to welcome the travelers.
    “There are women too!” someone shouted, pointing.
    “What the…?” A man in his late twenties or early thirties leaned over the bow of the ship, shielding his eyes from