Free Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Bella Settarra Page A

doesn’t look too good,” Rechavia said, as he got up to order another round of drinks.
    “I hope Farris’s lot aren’t out in it,” Delmer said with a frown. “They were meeting near the harbor.”
    “Don’t worry about him, I’m sure he’ll wangle his way under cover somehow,” Dr. Jay replied with a grin. He took a sip of the beer Rechavia handed him and nodded his appreciation. “These figures don’t look too healthy.”
    “There’s been a big embezzlement operation over at the Central Electricity Board of Westland,” Aitan said with a moan as he took his drink. “All this is going to cost a lot more than we thought. Apparently, even though they found out who the perpetrators were it was too late. The money had already been stolen from them. It’s had a knock-on effect, putting the cost of electricity up all over the world.” He pondered over the bank statements in his hand. “The flowers are making good money though.”
    “Wow!” Delmer shouted as a massive bolt of lightning lit up the entire tavern in a flash.
    “This is set in for the night,” one of the locals informed them.
    “I hope Farris isn’t too long, we need to get going,” Aitan said, gulping his beer.
    “You won’t be sailing in this weather,” the man replied. “They’ve forecast gales within the next couple of hours, and storms all night.”
    “Damn!” Rechavia slammed his glass on the table. “I was hoping with the new ship we’d be OK in bad weather but this is atrocious.”
    They stared out the window at the blackening sky, as rain hammered the road outside.
    “I hope the girls are OK.” Aitan pouted.
    “They’ll be fine. They won’t have any of this weather on the island, and Blandon and Marinos are there to keep an eye on them.” Dr. Jay was quite confident.
    “We’d best order some food.” Rechavia studied the menu in front of them. “Looks like we’re here for the night.”
    Farris and the men arrived just as they were discussing what to have for dinner. They looked like drowned rats as they piled into the small, dark tavern, but they were smiling.
    “We won’t get home in this,” Aitan announced as they grabbed some chairs and joined more tables together. The rest of the customers had gone home as soon as the weather closed in, so they had the place to themselves.
    “It’s going to be uncomfortable on that ship tonight.” Rechavia frowned.
    “I’ve got somewhere we can stay,” Farris announced with a grin.
    They all stared at him.
    “Yuli said we can bed down in the building they’re working on near the harbor. It’s got a roof and four walls. Might be a bit dusty but it’s sound and should keep us dry.”
    “Will we all get in?” Aitan asked.
    “Yeah, it’s a big office block. There’s plenty of room. We might need some blankets from the ship, though, if it gets any colder.”
    “Great. Let’s eat.” Rechavia cheered up a little.
    As they waited for the food to arrive, Aitan fired up one of the tavern’s computers. Every café and bar had access to the Super-Web and provided computers for customer use nowadays. “Best let the girls know we won’t be back tonight.” He frowned. No signal.
    “It’s the storm.” Rechavia rolled his eyes.
    Another crack of thunder roared overhead.
    “They won’t know that though.” Aitan groaned.
    Although Refrainia sometimes had rain at night, the weather was never really severe over there. It was always sunny during the day, so they were always aware of a slight chill in the air after dark, but they enjoyed a pleasant climate overall.
    “We’ll have to try again later,” Rechavia replied as the waitress arrived with plates of piping hot food.
    They enjoyed a good meal and more beer before deciding to brave the storm and find their shelter for the night.
    “It’s not far,” Farris assured them as they ran up the road against the pelting rain.
    He led them behind some metal safety fencing and into a large, brick building. It felt warm