Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) (6 page)

“Here and there,” Nadav replied, dismissively, as they waited for the other two to climb aboard. Ademia was a large girl, and the sailors tittered as she hauled herself up to the deck.

“Well, help the lady, Ira.” Nadav smirked.

“I’m trying,” his lofty mate groaned, as he held Ademia’s waist.

“I can manage,” Ademia snapped, obviously well aware that they were making fun of her size. Ligia guessed she’d be making a mental note to get her revenge on the fuckers later.

Ligia held out her hand, which Ademia grasped and used to pull herself up the last step. Ademia’s eyes widened when she saw the size of the vast ship. Although the sailors were all wearing smart shirts and trousers, neither of the girls had the impression they were extremely well-off, but this ship certainly suggested otherwise.

“What’s your cargo?” Ligia asked as they made their way to the lower deck.

“Whatever we can find,” Ira replied with a sneer.

The girls shared a puzzled frown.

“The last ship which docked here was carrying all sorts of crockery,” Ademia chirped. “We managed to get lots of cups and plates in exchange for some of our fruit. We grow different food here than they get on the mainlands.”

“I didn’t think any of the islands were inhabited anymore,” Nadav remarked as they reached a large storage facility on the lower deck.

“What’s that?” Ligia looked around as a banging noise startled her. It seemed to be coming from further down the ship.

“Er…the waves,” Nadav replied, looking a little unnerved. “The beer’s in there.”

He pointed to an air-conditioned store which was filled from floor to ceiling with crates of beer. The girls couldn’t carry a lot, but they took what they could, and the men loaded themselves up. The banging noise continued, and the men looked warily at each other. The girls noticed how nervous they were getting, and the men started to hurry them out of the facility and back up the steps.

They could hear the bawdy sailors as they left the quayside and made their way back up the island.

“They don’t need drink to make them rowdy,” Ademia remarked.

Ira sneered. “They’re just excited about what’s to come.”

“What do you mean?” Ligia asked, a little nervously.

“What do you think he means?” Nadav snorted. “We’ve just come across an island full of women. We’re all hot-blooded men who have been at sea for far too long. We’re aiming to have some fun tonight!”

He laughed lecherously and Ira joined in. The girls exchanged a worried look, though both were appalled at the gall of the bastards.
Just hope the Nitrazepam works fast!

“You took your time!” Captain Sivan called over as they neared the crowd.

“There was a lot to carry, captain,” Nadav replied, gesturing to the crates in his arms. He offered the captain the first can before the rest of the men dived in and grabbed their own.

“Do you come with it?” a salacious sailor asked Ligia as she put the crates on the ground. He was leering at her breasts as she bent over.

“No,” she replied abruptly.
And you won’t be coming either!

“Leave her alone. That one’s mine!” Captain Sivan shouted over.

Ligia flushed. The captain winked at her and beckoned her over to him.

“Did any of them touch you, girl?” he asked when she ventured across.

Ligia hesitated. She now understood that the only reason he was concerned about his men not molesting her was because he wanted to do it himself. If she said no, he would continue to pursue her. If she said yes he might kill one of the men. She sighed, imagining the ruckus it would cause if she lied. On balance, she decided that these men were trigger-happy enough and there was every chance one of the girls would be hurt if there was a brawl. She shook her head.

“Good.” The captain nodded.

“May I take your plate?” Ligia was eager to get away from his ogling stare. Sivan reluctantly handed it over and she made her way through the rest of the sailors, collecting dirty dishes. It was beginning to get dark and she knew it would be easier if the girls could get all the dishes washed and put away before they lost the light altogether. She looked around at the despicable throng. The sailors were all sitting or lying on the grass while the girls picked their way among them collecting dishes and handing out cans of beer. The men made lewd comments about the women, and their hands roamed their bodies whenever they got the chance. The girls were obviously repulsed by them, but knew better than to make a scene. Ligia smiled to herself as she realized just how much the women’s views had changed. When they were Sirens they didn’t think twice about “entertaining” the disgusting rabble who wrecked their ships on the rocks. Now, the women knew the pleasure of having men who cared about them, and loved them. There was no way these women would be unfaithful to their men. Even the single girls didn’t want anything to do with the vulgar bastards, as they knew what real men could be like, and weren’t prepared to settle for anything less.
And these fuckers are so much less!

“How much longer?” Sapphire whispered to Ligia as she took the dirty crocks from her. She was up to her elbows in hot water, having elected to wash the dishes rather than go anywhere near the lascivious horde.

Ligia gave her a reassuring smile. “Not long now. We’ll have to get them over to Destiny Rock soon, while they can still walk.”

“What’re you whispering about?” A gruff voice behind them made them both jump.

“Captain Sivan, is everything all right?” Ligia gave him her sweetest smile.

He took a step closer to her, swaying slightly as he did so. “You and me are gonna have some fun later,” he announced through slurred syllables.

He put an arm on her shoulder while he took another swig of his beer. He wasn’t a hideous-looking man at all. He had long, dark hair which hung around his shoulders, and big brown eyes. He had a small, neat, moustache on his upper lip, but the rest of his skin looked smooth. She was surprised he didn’t look more rugged, assuming he sailed in all weather, although, given the luxuries on board his ship she supposed he didn’t have to spend too much time outside in poor conditions. “I need to find another of these first, though.” He waved the empty can in front of her. She didn’t take it from him.
Best to keep his hands occupied.

“Captain, I’ve got an idea. I know you and your men like beer. Have you heard of a drink called rum?” she asked in a conspiratorial tone.

His eyes lit up. “Rum? You’ve got
rum
?” He looked around as if expecting a bottle to materialize out of thin air.

“I think that’s what it’s called,” she said with a frown. “And something called vodka?”

He whooped. “Where, girl? Let me see!” He was excited now, and his voice was becoming even louder.

“Well, they’re not here, exactly. You see, I’ve found a stash of stuff I don’t recognize in a cave on the rock over there. I don’t know who hid it there, but it’s not something we girls ever have.” She tried to sound innocent, and shook her head while she stared at him, wide eyed. “Maybe your men would like it?”

“Like what?” Jared appeared at the captain’s side. She bristled at the sound of his voice and tried not to look at his face as she felt him leering at her angrily.

“Never mind,” Sivan replied shortly.

Ligia guessed he was hoping to have all the drink for himself.
Not happening, fucker!
“Rum and vodka? Do you know it?” she chirped at him, trying to look innocent.

Sivan’s face turned red and his jaw tensed. Ligia gasped. He was so angry, and she hadn’t forgotten he also had a gun!

“Well, well. So you
have
got decent drink here, after all?” Jared’s words were slow and slurred, but his voice was loud enough for the whole crowd to hear.

“Is that what you call decent drink?” Ligia asked, trying to look virtuous. “I didn’t know what it was. I just found it the other day. We don’t use stuff like that.”

The whole mob were on their feet, as well as they could manage. They were all shouting now, wanting to know where the drink was.

“Shall I show you?” Ligia asked the captain.

He grunted. He was obviously not happy with the situation but there wasn’t much he could do about it now.

The men picked up their beer and followed Ligia as she led them over the island to the causeway. She was hoping that Kalliope and the girls would hear the rabble and keep out of sight.

She stopped at the causeway and turned back to the crowd. “Can you all swim?” she asked in a loud voice.

There were various moans and murmurs but nothing she could actually understand.

“Some can, but most can’t,” Captain Sivan interpreted for her. “There’s not much need for swimming in our job. The ship’s pretty safe and if they go overboard it’s their own damn fault. I wouldn’t be throwing them a fucking rope!” He snorted derisively.

“Not to worry. It’s just a causeway, but it’s getting quite wet now. I’d hate for any of them to fall in. It’s really deep here.” Ligia tried to sound concerned, but was secretly happy with the information.
Not much chance of them swimming back to the main island once they are cut off by the tide, then!

She led the way over the slippery causeway amid moans and complaints from the mob following her. Ignoring their protestations she carried on up onto the rocks and showed Captain Sivan the cave. The few bottles the girls had brought up earlier were just inside the mouth and the men grabbed them.

“There are crates of the stuff further down,” she said, pointing to the dark hole. “When I saw what it was I thought it was useless so I didn’t bother to bring the rest up.”

The mood of the men instantly lightened and they staggered into the darkness. It was evident when they found the “treasure” as there were whoops and cheers which echoed around the cave. Most of the men took their drink outside to enjoy in the dim light, while others preferred to stay close to the booze.

Some of the girls came over from the main island to help pass around the bottles, ensuring that everyone got plenty to drink. It soon became apparent that these men weren’t going to be able to move once they got comfortable on the ground. One or two hands still attempted to grope the girls as they picked their way through them, topping up cups and handing out bottles, but the girls were quick enough to dodge them.

“Are all the men here?” Ligia whispered to Hebe.

“Yes, I think so. A couple went toward the
harbor
at one point, presumably after more beer. I think they will have joined this lot for the spirits though. The rest of the girls will be here in a minute. We’ve finished all the dishes and tidied up. Ademia’s gone to fetch some rope.”

Ligia grinned. She knew full well where Ademia would be getting the rope from. Rechavia kept a large stash of it in his woodland dungeon, and she knew Ademia had been taken there by her men a few times to play. She had hoped that Aitan would take her there but, until now, hadn’t summoned the courage to ask him. “Great. We might need some lights, though. Some of them are still in the cave.”

“Sapphire thought of that. The last of the girls to come over are bringing lamps with them. They’ll need them on the causeway anyway, the tide’s coming in fast tonight.” Hebe grinned.

Soon snoring took the place of shouting as the effects of the large meal, alcohol, and a good dose of Nitrazepam did its work. One or two of the men tried to make vulgar comments about wanting the girls to join them for a cuddle, but no one took any notice.

The rest of the girls came over and shone their lamps and torches over the men, who lay sprawled all over the rocks. Sapphire and Hebe ventured into the cave to check out the men who were still in there, now slumped over the cases of alcohol.

Ligia went to the edge of the rock and found Kalliope and the rest of the girls huddled on the shelf below. As the tide was coming in, they were soaked through.

“Thank God. I thought we were going to be here all night,” Kalliope moaned as they climbed up and joined the others.

“There are so many of them and we had to be sure,” Ligia explained. She handed out the rope and used a knife she took from one of the men to cut some of it to size. “Hebe, we’ll get their guns and knives. Get some of the others to help,” she whispered, and the girls divided into groups.

Trying to manoeuvre the hefty bodies was no mean feat, and the girls had to work in pairs to check them and tie their hands and feet. There were a few murmurs from the drunkards but none had the energy to open their eyes or object.

Once they had secured the bodies the girls made their way over the flooded causeway, taking the arms back to Refrainia.

“We’ll use the big house,” Ligia told them as they crowded onto the soft grass.

“Jay’s got a safe in the surgery. We can put the guns in there.” Ademia nodded.

“Shouldn’t someone stay and guard them?” Kalliope asked, looking back to Destiny Rock. “We could take guns and shoot anyone that wakes up?”

“They won’t wake for a while yet, and hopefully the men will be here when they do,” Ademia replied.

“Besides, it would be dangerous if they did manage to overpower one of us and get the guns back. They’d be so mad they’d be sure to use them on us!” Ligia added, knowing only too well what the bastards were really like.