Deity's POV
I woke up to an urgent knocking on my door.
To say I was surprised was an understatement. I was skeptical and puzzled. I moved in an area without neighbors and the next morning someone's already knocking on my door? Unbelievable.
I tied my messy hair in a bun and grabbed my robe before going downstairs to open the front door. Two burly men in black suits greeted me with indifference, holding out a sealed envelope with my name neatly handwritten at the back.
"Miss Holland," said the one closest to me, "We were notified about your arrival yesterday. Mayor Tyrone Pierce requests your presence in the Lupus Hills Estate."
"And I have to go because...?" I left the sentence hanging, since my arrival shouldn't be a big deal. However, I had a feeling if I wanted to start a new and peaceful life I better go and visit the town mayor.
"It's town protocol, establishing borders and keeping the land safe." My brows rose indefinitely at that, "You need to come, miss. Unless you want the Mayor to claim your property en banc."
I inwardly groaned. I never knew little towns like this are freakishly territorial. I accepted the envelope, "May I know who you are?"
The corner of his lips lifted a little, attempting to hide an amused smile. "I'm his Vice, Parker Collins. We'll wait for you in the car, Miss Holland."
I closed the door as they turned their backs and tore the top of the envelope, pulling out the printed letter with the town's seal and read it. It's really a custom and a protocol. If I want peace of mind, I have to obey.
"Ha! I knew they'll send someone to drive you off," I glared at the ghost lady before breaking the record of how fast women take a bath and get dressed. I did it in just fifteen.
I found them waiting impatiently near a black BMW. Mr. Collins' acquaintance opened the door to the backseat and both Parker and I got in. An uncomfortable silence settled inside the car as we drove to the estate for almost an hour. Mr. Collins accompanied me to Mayor Pierce's office when we arrived at the humongous place. It didn't look like a civil or Mayor's office. Men and women of different ages went in and out of the building. Their voices mingled together and it was damn chaotic. Surrounding the Lupus Hills Estate were bungalows and a playground for little kids.
Culture shock here.
"Is it always this... lively?"
This time, Mr. Collins didn't suppress his smile. "Wait 'til the kids are back from school."
So there's worse than this.
We used the lift to reach the third floor and he knocked thrice upon reaching the door to Mayor Pierce's office. Mr. Collins didn't wait for a 'come in', he opened the door and motioned for me to enter.
The office was lavishly designed and the desk was placed by the glass wall overlooking the whole 'community'. A man wearing a three-piece suit stood facing the glass wall, talking over the phone. He looked angry and tensed as he ordered the poor receiver something. I inhaled deeply as weird tingles started running down my spine in anticipation. As if sensing our presence he cut the call, finally turning to face us. My breathing hitched when his eyes intensely stared at me, nostrils flaring in rushed breathing.
He's the man in the woods yesterday.
The look of distaste appeared again in his face as he motioned for me to sit. I did, and an older man entered the room as well, sitting right in front of me. My spirit lifted a bit when he graced me with a genuine smile.
"Is she our new citizen, son?" He asked Mayor Pierce. When he called him son, I immediately noticed the similarities between them.
Mayor Pierce cleared his throat before answering his father, "Yes, dad. Her name is Deity Holland, she bought the old manor house at the edge of our territory."
Excuse me, 'she' is here.
"Good morning, Mr. Collins told me you requested my presence." I tried my best to sound normal, but it came out nervously.
"We called you here to tell you what we expect of you and what you must do."
Straightforward much, eh? He didn't even give me time to warm up and relax. I just nodded, the irritation starting to build up.
"The land that was sold to you is still a part of ours. It was stolen from us by David Aecker who, in turn, sold it to someone to save himself from the court. Instead of continuing the case, we decided that we will buy it from you. If you agree, we will leave to you a small part of it, the house."
Land. Stolen. Sold. Court.
"Are you shitting me?" Now my temper's up high. The old man looked taken aback by my response to his son. The vice mayor, looked equally mortified. I can't say the same to Mayor Pierce, however. His face flushed in anger, eyes squinting at my tiny form. Well, I looked just as angry as him. "I bought the land and I have papers to prove it. Your problem with Mr. Aecker stays with Mr. Aecker. If it was really yours, how the fuck can he have legal and valid documents proving he was the owner?" My voice grew angrier by the second, "I'm not selling you my land, and don't you dare call me up again for this stupid matter."
He stood, eyes turning black as tar. "You will do as I say or I will drive you away by force." His façade was deathly calm and I know he's dead serious. But so am I.
I stood to level him, challenging, "Bite me."
Wrong move.
It happened in just a second. Mayor Pierce bent. He howled like a wolf and jumped on me. The assault sent me tumbling down, I covered my face with my arms as he fell on top of me looking feral.
Then everything stopped.
I felt tingles all over my skin when his skin made contact with mine. He growled lowly, dipping his head low until the tip of his nose touched the skin on my neck. He straddled me, arms locking me on either side to ensure I wouldn't escape. My fearful gaze met his father's and he immediately understood.
"Get him off of her," his father ordered the vice mayor. They didn't need to. Mayor Pierce moved away from me in a flash as if I burned him, breathing heavily.
He kept whispering something... someone's name, "Nerissa, Nerissa, Nerissa... fuck, think of her."
Mr. Collins looked alarmed, his gaze shifted to my lying form and he immediately helped me.
"Take her home, Parker. I'll take care of Tyrone." Mr. Pierce ordered him and I left the room with Parker right away, not once looking back.
There is something wrong with these people, and there is definitely something wrong with their mayor. Whatever it is, I want no part of it. Suddenly, I'm missing my old manor house with the ghost lady. The incident just proved I'm better off with ghosts than humans.