Page 19 of House of Pawns
My home has had four more broken windows in the past week. Rath found a burning bag of dog shit on the front porch. More vandalism.
A large part of me does want to be angry. They know nothing about me. I’ve done nothing tothem. But they hate me because of the house I live in.
So, here we are—turning the other cheek.
Lillian told me about the piece of property for sale. It resides midway between town and Jasmine’s House, just before the swamps begin. Five acres, developable into twelve units.
So, I bought it with my father’s money. I hired a local contractor. It hadn’t been an easy ordeal. He was not ignorant to what was being said about me. But when I offered to pay him fifteen percent more than his bid, how could he turn me down?
We all have to move on with our lives. Take the next step.
Last night, Ian went back to patrolling town. But this time he wasn’t just looking for vampires who weren’t supposed to be in our town, he was protecting the Conrath Estate from more townspeople who would try to bring me harm.
It was nice, seeing Ian being himself again.
It’s noon, so I stand without my tiny House, just Rath and I. I watch from the road as the excavation equipment prepares the ground for the foundations of a dozen houses that will be poured in two days time. There are probably two dozen workers out there, all with jobs, because of Conrath money.
“This won’t go unnoticed,” Rath says from behind me.
I shake my head. “No, it won’t.”
“Many families in Silent Bend struggle financially. There aren’t many jobs. This is exactly what this town needed.”
I nod. Something feels tight in my chest. I hate feeling like I’m literally buying goodwill—because that’s exactly what I’m doing—but at the moment, money is the biggest advantage I have over Jasmine.
“This is one ballsy-assed move.”
I turn to see Luke walking up behind me. His patrol car is parked just behind my Porsche and he wears his uniform.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say coyly.
“Don’t play stupid with me,” he says with a small smile and a shake of his head. “I know exactly what you’re doing. Look at that sign there for the whole damn town to see.”
Low Income Housing Coming Soon. Financed by Alivia Ryan and the Conrath Estate.
Yes, I want everyone to know exactly who is responsible for this show of generosity.
A car drives by behind us and we all turn to see as they slow down and squint to read the sign. Another drives by right after and does the same exact thing.
“So, I guess this confirms everything,” Luke says. “You’re really going to war with Jasmine.”
“Luke, there’s something you need to know,” I say as the tight spring in me winds just a little tighter. “I don’t know what you know about the King, but he’s going to come, soon. And I need to be prepared. I’m building my own House because I need the support. But the town also needs to be prepared.”
“How so?” he asks as the look of concern grows on his face.
“It wouldn’t be a terrible thing if when the King does come, the people of Silent Bend either evacuate or go into lockdown in their homes,” Rath says.
“And how the hell am I supposed to accomplish that?” Luke asks with a scowl.
“I trust you can get creative.”
Luke looks from Rath to me, the darkness in his eyes growing deeper by the second. He swears, turns, and walks away without another word.
As if in an afterthought, he turns back to us just before he slips back into his car. “I’m coming by the House tonight. I’ve got something to talk to Ian about."
AT SEVEN THAT EVENING, WHEN the sky is dark and the air is cold, Rath steps into my bedroom and announces that Ian and I have a visitor.
We walk down the stairs and just as I expected, find the Sheriff standing just inside the front door.
