Free Sacrifices of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 6] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Bella Settarra

sipping his own drink.
    “Well, I got the samples to the lab but Dr. Ernaut’s not due in ’til later. Can we stick around for a couple of hours? I really think he’d be the best person to ask about Mel. He’ll know the best person to speak to in the police department.”
    “Sure.” Farris was quite happy to spend time on the mainland.
    Blandon was relieved. He really didn’t want to go back knowing that Melantho was still here and in trouble.
    They finished their coffee and went outside. It was raining so they spent their time meandering around the shops. They found a little café where they had lunch and then they wandered down a narrow side street to get away from the crowds.
    “This is where we bought the girls’ hair clasps from,” Farris said as they neared a little shop with trinkets in the window. They went in and looked around.
    “Could I get something for Mel?” Blandon asked hopefully, as he gazed at all the sparkle.
    “Sure,” Dr. Jay said with a smile.
    The shop was filled with sparkling jewellery, tiaras, and hair accessories. Blandon picked up a beautiful silver necklace with a filigree heart pendant. He sighed. It was perfect for someone who lived on the mainland, but would get ruined on Refrainia with the sea air and salt water. He knew how much she loved the multicolored stones in her hair clasp, and was looking for something practical which she would love. He really wanted her to have a token of his affection, too, something she would look at and think of him. He was determined to get her back to Refrainia where she belonged.
    “How about one of these?” Dr. Jay had found a collection of trinket boxes in one corner of the shop. Blandon felt a warm glow inside him when he saw them. They were encrusted with “jewels” of every color, and he picked out one which had a small red heart on the lid.
    “This is perfect,” he said with a smile. “She can keep her hair clasp in it.”
    Farris had some money from the sale of the flowers and he happily handed over the cash for the box. The shop assistant wrapped it in pink tissue paper before carefully placing it in a pretty bag with ribbon handles. Brandon grinned as he took it and hugged it to his chest. He couldn’t have hoped for a better gift. He was sure she would love it.
    They slowly meandered back up the street as the rain continued to pour.
    “Let’s get back to the hospital,” Dr. Jay suggested. “We can get another coffee while we wait. At least it’ll be dry.”
    The canteen was quiet when they arrived and chose some cake to enjoy with their coffees. They were a little more upbeat than earlier and chatted merrily about how much they preferred Refrainia to the mainland.
    “It’ll be getting dark soon,” Farris said as a waitress came to take their dishes.
    “He should be here by now,” Dr. Jay said, glancing at the wall clock.
    They got up and went toward Dr. Ernaut’s office.
    “He’s just been called away on an emergency,” a young nurse informed them when they arrived to find the room empty. “I don’t know how long he’ll be. You can wait in here if you like?”
    They took their seats in the elderly doctor’s neat little office.
    “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait,” Dr. Jay assured the others. Dr. Ernaut was a fine doctor, who had taken Dr. Jasun under his wing some time ago. They continued to enjoy a good friendship as well as a very helpful professional relationship. The hospital regularly supplied medical equipment and medicines to the island where Dr. Jay had set up a little surgery in one of the back rooms of the big house which he shared with Farris and Ademia. Melantho helped out both in the surgery and around the house, and had become regarded as one of their family, although she lived in a small hut just down the track with her friend Sapphire. Ademia had lived with both girls until she entered a ménage relationship with her men, and they were all very close friends.
    The young