Submission of the Siren

by Bella Settarra

  “I am glad to hear it. Yera, we’re leaving!” With her nose in the air and her daughter scurrying behind her, Mrs. Loidi stormed out of the house without a backward glance.

  “What happened to the Governor of Westland?” Kalliope enquired as the front door slammed shut.

  “Oh he was…detained,” Benat said with a smirk.

  “You know something about that, don’t you?” Palben’s eyes were wide with realization.

  “Me?” Benat’s attempt to look innocent failed miserably.

  Zigor and Governor Osabene giggled like a couple of naughty schoolboys. The girls rolled their eyes and shook their heads.

  “We should be going,” Ligia said with a sigh.

  “Where? I’m not sailing back in the dark, especially as there’s a storm brewing out there,” Ademia protested.

  “No, of course not, you must all stay here tonight,” Zigor announced, squeezing himself onto the sofa next to Kalliope.

  “Oh no we won’t,” Kalliope said, standing up to get away from him.

  “But Kally, you know it makes sense. You can’t possibly go back in the dark, especially in this weather, it’s just not safe, and you have nowhere else to stay,” Zigor protested, standing up and following her.

  “Do you have enough room?” Ademia asked thoughtfully.

  “Ademia you’re not serious?” Kalliope couldn’t believe her ears.

  “You’re joking aren’t you? He’s got twenty-two bedrooms, haven’t you Zigor?” Benat pointed out with a chuckle.

  “At the last count, dear boy,” Zigor sneered.

  “Good, do you have one big enough for us three?” Ademia’s mind was working overtime.

  “Yes, but you can all have one each,” Zigor put an arm around Kalliope’s shoulder but she shoved him off. “And, of course, Kally can always share with me.”

  “In your dreams, dear boy!” she shouted indignantly, pushing him away from her. She realized how repulsed she felt by him. The thought of him touching her suddenly made her skin crawl.

  “Oh, come now, you don’t want our earlier misunderstanding to ruin things between us, do you?” He just wasn’t taking the hint.

  “I didn’t misunderstand anything! You were engaged to be married to that—that woman. You used me!” Kalliope screeched at him.

  Ademia and Ligia stared at her wide-eyed. Someone used Kally? That was a first! They exchanged a look between them that expressed just that.

  “If we could just share a room between the three of us, that would be helpful,” Ademia suggested calmly. “Will you guys be staying over too?” She turned to the governor, who looked as though he wouldn’t even make it up the stairs in one piece.

  “Yes, we usually do,” Benat said, winking at Ligia.

  “That’s settled then. Do you have a computer so we can let our men know that we’re safe? They’ll be here first thing in the morning for the court hearing but they’re bound to worry if they don’t know where we are tonight.” Ademia had obviously thought this through.

  “A computer? What would you know about a computer?” Benat asked incredulously.

  “We can Super-Skype. How else do you think we all keep in touch?” Ligia replied matter-of-factly.

  Benat frowned. He suddenly regretted giving her the disc from his camera.

  “That thug of a boyfriend won’t be coming here, will he?” Zigor asked a little nervously.

  “Not if I tell him we’re safe. We are safe, aren’t we, Zigor?” Kalliope raised a warning eyebrow at him.

  “Yes, of course, perfectly safe,” he assured her. He got up and showed the girls where a massive computer sat in the next room. He fired up Super-Skype for them and left them to it, obviously realizing that his face in the background of their message home would not be the best idea.

  “You talk,” Kalliope urged Ligia as a picture flickered onto the screen. Rechavia and Aitan were sat together, huddled over Ligia’s little wooden table. They both looked exhausted and worried sick. Their pale faces lit up when they saw their women appear in front of their eyes.

  “Ligia, is that you, darlin’? Where in hell are ya? Is that Kally and Ademia with you?” Aitan’s lazy drawl was the loveliest sound Ligia had heard in hours.

  “Yes, it’s us. We’re fine.” Tears filled Ligia’s eyes as she spoke to her beloved sailor. She choked back a sob.

  ‘We’re all fine.” Ademia took over. “We’re on Eastland. We’ve managed to persuade Zigor Durango not to buy Refrainia. They won’t be signing the agreement tomorrow.” Her cheerful smile faded when she saw Rechavia’s furious expression.

  “And just how did you persuade him of that?” Rechavia growled.

  “Don’t worry. It was nothing bad,” Ademia assured him, shaking her head. “We’ll explain it all tomorrow. Can you let the girls know I’m OK for me in case they’re worried?”

  “Oh we’ll let the girls know for you, darlin’,” Aitan promised, “though I think it’s those boys of yours you want to be more concerned about.”

  Ademia’s puzzled frown turned into more of a worried one when she saw Dr. Jay and Farris step toward the web cam.

  “You’ve got some explaining to do, young lady,” Dr. Jay said with a stern expression. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been about you?”

  “W-well no, not really.” Ademia was genuinely shocked.

  “Oh you will, little lady. And you’re right, you will explain it all tomorrow.” Farris gave her an incredibly sexy, wicked grin as he spoke.

  Ademia gasped.

  “We’ll see y’all tomorrow, ladies,” Aitan promised as the camera widened out to show all four men smiling mischievously at them.

  “See you tomorrow,” the girls chorused back to them.

  “Hang on a minute. Where did you say you were? Is that a house? Whose house?” Rechavia frowned as he studied their girls’ background.

  Ademia immediately reached out for the ‘off’ button as they all continued to wave and call out their good-byes.

  Phew!

  Chapter 12

  Kalliope woke as the first rays of sun peeped through the gap in the heavy drapes. She reached out for Rechavia, but instead felt Ligia’s soft, slender arm. Damn! The past twenty-four hours came rushing back to her in a miserable haze. This just isn’t right. It had been kind of Ligia to offer to share the huge bed with her, as both girls were no longer used to sleeping alone, unlike Ademia who had taken the smaller bed. Kalliope winced as she remembered the unkind comment she had passed about Ademia needing a bed to herself as no one else would fit in with her. She shook her head, wondering why she always opened her cruel mouth before thinking. Like when I said ‘no’ to Rechavia. She had been certain that marriage wasn’t what she wanted, but having been apart from him, and seeing Zigor Durango for the creep he really was, she was really regretting being so hasty to decline him. God, I miss him! She suddenly became aware of tears pouring down her face and onto the soft pillow beneath her head. She wiped them away angrily, embarrassed that the others might see. Too late!

  “Are you OK, Kally?” It was Ademia who had rolled over and seen her crying. Damn!

  “I’m fine, thanks,” Kalliope whispered back.

  “Oh no, not morning already!” Ligia moaned as she stretched.

  “’Fraid so. I’m going to try out that shower thingy.” Kalliope tried to sound cheerful as she jumped out of bed and went toward the massive en-suite bathroom.

  “She was crying,” Ademia whispered to Ligia as soon as they could hear the water flowing.

  “Not again. She had an awful night. I know she cried herself to sleep and woke up at least once in the night in tears. I pretended to be asleep, but I couldn’t help hearing.” Ligia sighed.

  “She really loves him, doesn’t she?” Ademia climbed out of bed and pulled back the drapes to let the bright sunlight flow into the huge room. It was decorated in pale pink and had silver and glass everywhere, which sparkled and twinkled in the sun. A basket of fruit stood on a smal
l side table, and she helped herself to an apple.

  “Didn’t you eat last night?” Kalliope reappeared, wrapped in a fluffy white towel. She used a smaller one to dry her long, black hair.

  “Yes, we had something at the bar,” Ademia said, taking another bite. “Gosh, these are tiny compared to the ones we grow, aren’t they?”

  Kalliope bit back a remark she was about to make about everything appearing tiny in comparison to her friend, and took a deep breath instead. Ademia’s been such a good friend to me, why am I always so rude to her?

  “But, what about you? Oh, Kally, we completely forgot, we didn’t eat until after you left. You must be starving!” Ligia suddenly realized.

  “No, I had something here,” Kalliope said with a grin. “It was really nice, actually.” She remembered the food laid out on the table when she arrived.

  “Thank goodness,” Ademia said as she threw the core in a small silver bin and made her way to the bathroom.

  The men were already in the kitchen, and the welcoming smell of hot toast wafted into the hallway as the girls arrived.

  “Just in time, cook’s made loads,” Zigor chirped as he took his large cup of coffee toward the dining room.

  “Cook?” Ademia gasped.

  “Of course. Who else do you think would cook?” Zigor sneered incredulously.

  Benat and the governor followed them into the large dining room, where Kalliope had eaten the previous night. She noticed her flip-flops tucked neatly under the sideboard when she went to fetch a glass of juice and slipped them on surreptitiously. There was a vast array of fruit, muffins, rolls and cereals to choose from, and that was just the start. Cook had indeed made them loads of food, which all tasted as delicious as it smelled. The men said it was called an “English Breakfast,” though they had no idea where the ancient term came from. The girls didn’t recognise most of the odd-shaped things on their plates but enjoyed them all the same. Lots of hot buttered toast and strawberry jam followed, and they even tried coffee, although Ligia and Ademia had to agree that green tea was much nicer.

  “I need to meet up with Mrs. Loidi,” Governor Osabene announced, as he wiped a linen napkin over his mouth.

  “Going to get your orders?” Palben grinned.

  The Governor glared at him and left the table.

  “Ha-ha, he didn’t like that, did he?” Palben gloated as they heard the door slam.

  “Keep it down, my head’s throbbing,” moaned Benat.

  “Serves you right. I told you to go easy on the booze.” Palben had no sympathy for his friend.

  “We need to get to the courthouse soon,” Zigor said, rising from his seat.

  “Yes, I think it would be better not be seen leaving here when the men arrive,” Ligia said with a nod.

  “Oh, I don’t know, it might be fun,” Zigor sneered with a sly grin.

  “Forget it!” Kalliope was on her feet and hastily pulled her shawl around her as she made her way to the door.

  “Killjoy!” Zigor tutted.

  “You’ll be the one who gets killed if Rechavia sees you with me!” Kalliope called back from the hallway.

  The girls followed her as Zigor chuckled. Cook was coming out of the kitchen as they made their way to the front door and they all thanked her profusely for the lovely meal. The woman was delighted with the praise, and they got the sad impression that Zigor didn’t bother to compliment her very often. Bastard!

  The girls arrived outside the courthouse just as the throng of islanders rounded the corner. There weren’t quite as many as last time, but they certainly had a good turnout. Rechavia and Aitan were leading the way. Aitan’s relief at seeing Ligia was palpable and she leapt into his arms. Rechavia didn’t speak, as he marched straight into the courtroom and took his position on the front bench. Everyone followed.

  “I’m so sorry,” Melantho whispered to Ademia, “I had to tell them.”

  Ademia smiled at her housemate. “It’s OK, it’s not a problem,” she reassured her.

  “It most certainly is not OK and I can assure you it is a problem,” Dr. Jay’s deep voice growled into her ear from behind. Ademia gasped. She tried to reach out for Melantho’s hand, but a big, rough hand caught hold of hers instead. Farris. With one man either side of her she sat down on the hard bench, trembling slightly. She didn’t know why. These guys were gorgeous and she usually had lots of fun with them, but right now they didn’t look like they were looking for fun, just answers.

  “If we are all ready?” Judge Roberts was looking at the doorway where Aitan and Ligia were reluctant to leave each other to go to their respective seats. The poor judge was already getting a migraine, having just had a lengthy discussion with the Governors and Durango’s lawyer.

  “Sorry, sir.” Aitan patted Ligia’s tiny bottom and ushered her up to her seat while he took his place next to Rechavia.

  “Well, this hearing was supposed to be deciding on the correct course of action for the island of Refrainia to be governed by one or other of our continents,” Judge Roberts declared with a shake of his head. “However, it seems that there has been a change of heart.”

  “We’re very sorry, Judge.” Durango’s brown-nosed lawyer was on his feet already.

  “You’re sorry! At least you weren’t kidnapped!” Governor Abrams rose indignantly to his feet.

  “You know you enjoyed it, Gov!” Benat Ugarte called over from the second bench.

  “That’s quite enough! Now sit down both of you!” Judge Roberts was certainly in a foul mood this morning. “Now, let me get this straight. Governor Abrams, I understand that you came over from Westland in order to meet with Governor Osabene yesterday evening, is that correct?”

  “Yes sir, in preparation for today’s hearing,” Governor Abrams stood to concur the statement before sitting down again.

  “And Governor Osabene, you were expecting Governor Abrams to meet you in the Seaview Tavern just after sundown, is that correct?” The judge sighed. This was going to be a long day.

  “Yes sir. Mrs. Loidi and I waited for him to arrive but he never appeared.” Governor Osabene feigned a look of surprise.

  “All right, Governor Abrams, would you like to explain why you didn’t meet up as planned?”

  “Yes, sir. As soon as my ship docked I was met by a man in a black car who said he had been sent by the governor to take me to my hotel and then to the tavern where we were to meet. I had no reason not to believe him, but he drove me miles out of town and we ended up at a very disreputable bar goodness knows where. I told the driver it didn’t look right, but he insisted on taking me in and buying me a drink. The next thing I know there are all these ‘women’ fawning at me and I don’t remember much else. I strongly suspect, sir, that someone laced my drink.” Governor Abrams looked accusingly toward Zigor and his lawyer.

  “I see.” Judge Roberts rubbed his forehead.

  “I hope that is not an accusation, sir?” Zigor’s lawyer was on his feet again.

  “No it wasn’t! Now sit down, man.” The old judge was getting weary already. He turned from the lawyer back to the Governor of Westland. “So your meeting didn’t take place, but it seems it would have been fruitless anyway, as Governor Osabene has since decided he does not wish to take responsibility for the island. I am further led to believe that Mr. Durango no longer wishes to purchase the island in question either. Am I correct, gentlemen?”

  “Yes, sir,” Durango, his lawyer and the Governor of Eastland muttered the words together.

  “But why?” Governor Abrams queried. “I don’t understand.”

  “That is not the issue for this hearing, Governor Abrams. Thank goodness!” Judge Roberts rolled his eyes heavenward. “All that we need to establish today is who, if anyone, is to take responsibility for the island of Refrainia. Now, as I understand it, Governor Abrams, you were opposed to the island being placed under the jurisdiction of either continent, is that correct?”

  “Yes sir, as I understand it, the people of the island h
ave always lived by their own laws and this has not affected anyone else in the world. If they are happy to continue living the way they do, I see no reason to change it. If the ex-Chief Elder, Hermandine wants to contest the agreement that the islanders have with their God, Poseidon, then I suggest she take that up with him. It is not a matter for either of us to decide.” Governor Abrams sat down pointedly.

  The islanders held their collective breath. Hermandine seethed silently from her seat next to Benat.

  “Well I think that sounds very reasonable,” Judge Roberts said, sitting back in his large chair. “Neither continent shall take responsibility for Refrainia. Its people shall continue to govern it as they see fit. That is an end to the matter.” He quickly gathered his papers, rose from his seat and left the courtroom, just as the islanders erupted in mass hysteria over their victory. Whoops and hollers could be heard for miles around as they celebrated, hugging each other and clapping their hands in glee.

  “We did it!” Ligia ran up to Aitan outside the courthouse as they all piled out. He hugged her tightly.

  “I don’t quite know how, but you did,” he said with a massive grin.

  Kalliope wasn’t quite as jovial as she walked over to Rechavia, who looked relieved but unhappy. She didn’t know quite what to say but she had to say something.

  “Kally, dear!”

  She and Rechavia turned to see Zigor Durango walking up to her with her shawl in his hand.

  “I’m afraid you left this in my bedroom last night,” Zigor said with a salacious grin, holding out the shawl.

  Rechavia’s face went bright red and his jaw clenched.

  Kalliope stared at the shawl. She knew she had it in the courtroom. She must have left it there or one of his mates had taken it while they were all celebrating. The swine!

  She sighed, knowing that whatever she said would not make a difference. She took the shawl from him, just as Rechavia turned his back and walked away. Kalliope stared at the ground in despair.

  “Kally, you can still stay with me if you want to, you know,” Zigor said quietly. She gaped at him in disbelief. Surely he can’t be serious! He saw her expression and gulped.