Rivalry for the mate

Party or Ritual ceremony

Chapter 4

She followed his direction only to have her gaze rest on a woman wearing a lion head mask.

"Wow " Lyra murmured amazed "This is insane"

Currently most people were watching them with curiosity. It seems not everyone knew them yet.

" That's our mayor , I think you should go see her " Ella explained referring to the woman they saw wearing the lionhead mask earlier.

"What! " Harry roared! "Your mayor is also an occultic.... " Lyra slapped Harry's mouth before he could finish his statement attracting numerous inquisitive stares.

Lyra smiled awkwardly waving them off as they went about their business.She beat her mom by leaning forward and grabbed Harry by the ear while he yelped in pain.

"Mention the word occult again and I'll crush your balls before your very eyes" Lyra threatened crudely making sure to lay more emphasis on 'occult ' and 'balls'

Lyra's threat was so savage that her mom had to cover Ben's ear while Ella held back a laugh.

Jenny couldn't scold Lyra for her language knowing Harry wouldn't stop until he was rebuked strongly.

So Jenny came up with what she thought was the perfect plan to keep Harry under hold

" Lyra, you're in charge. Keep your brothers safe" She ordered before Lyra could object.

She then turned and faced Ella "I trust they won't misbehave under your watch "

Jenny said putting Ella in charge also, an additional fortification in case the first one fails before leaving to go see the mayor.

The amount of trust Jenny had in Ella stunned Lyra so much. How could they have bonded so much in such a short while?

But Jenny made a mistake, she forgot that Ella was a teen too just as her kids.

"I don't think I need to say much, no time for long words. Adios " Harry waved and vamoosed before Lyra could even comprehend what was going on.

"Traitor! " Lyra yelled after him " Great! So much for babysitting" she sighed, her eyes falling on Ben, her only loyal family standing by her side.

"I'm guessing it's just you and I buddy " she reached over and gave Ben's dirty blonde hair a tousle but the boy's next comment had Lyra vomit blood.

"Nah " Ben nodded negatively " I'm only here cause Ella hasn't agreed to our date yet "

cough cough

What the f*ck ! What are children learning these days?

That's when Lyra looked up and saw Ben staring at Ella lovey - dovey while the lady in question was looking away scratching her neck awkwardly with a faint blush on her face. Lyra blinked not sure what she was seeing.

"You imp" Lyra smacked him lightly on the forehead while he let out an aggrieved expression.

She sighed worriedly , the little chick magnet wasn't ten yet but he was already thinking of dating. Lyra feared suddenly for the future of women.

"Let's go to the table over there " Ella pointed at one of the many tables filled with mouth watering delicacies.

"Wow " Lyra moaned staring at the heavenly dishes, already salivating at the sight of the blueberry Orange muffins.

With great expectation, she was about to dig in when a voice from behind halted her mission.

"I'm guessing she's the centre of attraction tonight "

Lyra turned to face a pretty blonde haired girl who had really big boobs with two other girls standing beside her respectively.

"Yes, she is " the girl on her right hand side answered.

Lyra stared at them confused. Where they discussing about her or trying to start a conversation with her? well, it wouldn't hurt to be nice. So she decided to take the first step

"Hi, I'm Li -"

"I don't remember asking for your name loser " The pretty girl spat leaving Lyra dumbfounded.

Okie? Trust me, I don't remember provoking you either.

Lyra breathed and slowly took back her extended hand she had tried offering for a handshake.

Red alert - Number one bully spotted.

"But just so you know cause my face is hardly forgettable, my name is Loveth and after tonight you can go back to wherever you came from while my dazzling fame continues to spread abroad " She haughtily announced with an mocking grin glued on her face.

Ok, Lyra noted. Bully one is named Loveth and is a huge narcissistic drama queen who may be high on a drug called ego.

"So, mind your place loser. Ta ta !" She squealed causing Lyra to jerk out of her reverie . She gave Lyra an I've - got - my - eyes - on-you gesture and stride away followed by her minions who didn't even bother concealing their disgust towards her.

"Oh don't mind Loveth, though she looks that way on the outside but she's really kind inside" Ella who was silent all these while spoke up.

Lyra who was unbothered by the dumb barbie and her followers shrugged innocently " I don't mind at all but I'd love if she had more brains than boobs"

Ella laughed and consciously found her eyes checking out Lyra's boobs.

Lyra suddenly aware of Cassie's perverted gaze wrapped her hands protectively around her chest

" What are you staring at? " She yelped.

"Oh nothing, it just seems you have more brain than boobs " Ella teased while Lyra tried to lunge at her but Ben was quick to put himself in between, shielding Ella with his short body.

Lyra found this scene amusing and also nerve-racking . They weren't even an item yet and he was already taking the girlfriend's side.

Lyra frowned, what was she saying? They would never be an item.

"Cass, let's go over there " Ben suggested beaming a smile at Ella who couldn't even resist his charm and agreed right away leaving Lyra to feud for herself.

Lyra scoffed. He already had a nickname for her? Where was the love between siblings.

Frustrated, she began to dish out her food. she would stress eat tonight since no one cared about her anymore.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her and turned around only to feel all air leave her lungs.

Wow

He's so handsome.

That was the last thought she had before her world went blank.

"Ugh!" Lyra groaned lifting her weak and heavy body. She frowned at the somewhat famiLyrar surrounding and suddenly sprang up almost toppling over from dizziness.

Ah yes, she remembered coming to the acceptance party, she recalled other events that occurred including the egoistic barbie encounter but she couldn't remember going to sleep.

The last thing she remembered.... "Damn" she cursed rubbing her temple. She had a splitting headache the moment she tried to recollect what she did last and how she fell asleep.

It was suspicious .It was not like her to fall asleep in a unfamiLyrar place moreover in a party, the noise wouldn't allow her to sleep a wink at all but she somehow felt she fell in a deep slumber in such a short time.

Strange enough she felt weak and sour especially in her neck region . It felt like a large needle was pierced into her skin, retracted and then stitched up but no matter how much she searched, she couldn't find evidence of such speculation on her body .

Was she being paranoid?

"Lyra ! "

Hearing her name being called snapped her back to reality and she found Ella coming her way huffing and puffing.

"Where the hell have you being?!" Ella roared drawing people's attention. She was so fluttered that even Lyra noticed and bit down on her lower lip .

Ella was angry.

"I'm really sorry, I got carried away " Lyra apologized with her gaze lowered. she couldn't just tell Ella of her stupid speculation else she'll think she's crazy.

Heartbeat slowly returning to normal, Ella glared at Lyra but her pitiful pout made her anger melt right away.

"Come-on let's go, the ceremony has already started " Ella said reaching out a hand for Lyra to grab on but her eyes suddenly narrowed when she saw a red stain on Lyra's neck.

"Is that blood on your neck?" Ella reached out but Lyra subconsciously jumped from her touch .

"Sorry " She smiled bashfully at Cassie's shocked expression. Lyra mentally facepalmed at her attitude , why was she behaving like this? The girl was just trying to help.

Ella in return smiled like nothing happened.

"It's OK " She waved it off

Lyra strained her neck trying to get a view of the so-called blood.

"It's almost at your back " Ella from a distance directed her .

Thankfully she had worn a black off shoulder little black dress so after stretching and straining her neck for a while, she located it. There was a small patch of red on her neck which had being smeared down her back.

It wasn't so much that Lyra wondered at Cassie's sharp sight. What would've taken others a closeup view, she saw it from afar clearly. wow, she envied such sight.

"I don't think it's blood cause I'm clearly not injured moreover I saw some teens carrying cans of paint earlier . I think one of them with a red paint might have touched me with their smeared hands " Lyra lied smoothly without blinking an eye though her heart thumbed badly that she thought it would leap out of her chest.

"Ah, must be "

Ella bought her idea or so she thought.

She brought out a handkerchief out of the pocket of her jean short, dabbed it in water from one of the water can on the table and started wiping away the stain.

"You don't have to " Lyra said feeling awkwardly with someone rubbing her skin like that with body pressed closely to her's. Lyra was straight but this was the first time a girl was this close to her aside from her mother. The little girlfriends she had back in her old Town were too sophisticated and turned out to be scheming backstabbers she eventually abandoned in the end.

Head bent shyly, she decided to look up and discovered with great shock that Cassie's skin was really good. Her skin was so soft and smooth with no blemish.

Did she have pores? Lyra was curious. She stared at her inquisitively coming closer and closer.

Suddenly a soft breeze blew and wafted Cassie's scent into her nostrils. She smelled like vanilla with a hint of mint . Was that from her cologne or hairshampoo? she pondered.

" What are you doing?" Ella asked, brow arched suspiciously and that was when Lyra realized she was unconsciously sniffing Cassie's hair.

She froze. Did she just smell her hair?

Creepy .

"Umm " She cleared her throat awkwardly dusting off invisible dirt from Cassie's hair. " You got something on your hair "

And as usual, Ella believed her.

"Done, you're good as new " Ella announced stepping away from her. "We should be going"

Replying with a nod, Lyra went along with her noticing with minimal details the newly set up bonfires, much larger than the previous ones . For how long were they planning to party? She wondered.

A few minutes later they arrived the initiation ground but Lyra was dazzled at the large crowd that gathered around blocking the entrance.

They were stucked but that was until a man in front noticed her and gave way for her to pass.This kind gesture caused a domino effect that lasted till a path was created for her to go through.

Sucking in a cold breath, she started walking through the cleared path realizing for the first time how nerving it was to be the centre of attention. She suddenly wished she was wearing a tinted glass atlest, their gazes were scorching.

Trying not to show she was breaking out in sweats, she doubled her steps reaching her destination in a flash.

She saw her mom already going through her own "acceptance ". A middle aged woman wearing a long brown coloured fox fur dress that literally sweeps the ground whenever she walks stood before her mom. She murmured some inaudible words which Jenny said yes to before rubbing some slimy stuff on her forehead followed by a loud shout from the crowd.

Lyra flinched when she noticed how hysterical the crowd was. Was this the acception ? she thought. She suddenly wondered if Harry went through the same initiation considering his negative stand on this acceptance of a thing.

Maybe he wasn't entirely wrong with his belief. This acceptance ceremony did look a tad occultic. She just hoped they weren't getting themselves into trouble .

Lyra was having second thoughts.She began retreating slowly until her body slammed into someone. She turned only to see Ella blocking her only view of escape. She placed a hand on her shoulder and rubbed it gently as if seeing through her thoughts . Their eyes met as they communicated telepathically, though no words was said but Cassie's assuring look comforted and strengthened her.

She inhaled deeply and finally took a bold step forward. The initiator was already done with her mother whom was standing behind her urging Lyra with her eyes to be bold.

"Do you wish to be protected? " The initiator asked as soon as she stepped into a marked circle with a triangle in the middle enclosing the both of them.

Protected from what? She sassed mentally

"Make a choice or forever hold your peace." The initiator continued and it took every will in Lyra not to laugh right now.

oh, they were saying wedding vows now .

As if the initiator noticed what was going on, she frowned while Lyra assumed a straight face devoid of emotions.

"Yes, I wish to be protected " She declared unamused staring straight at the imitator's eyes and discovered her features.

She had a few wrinkles on her face that was hardly recognizable at first, it had to take one a good second glance to notice that. Her shimmering ash hair had Lyra question if she had dyed her grey hairs cause it was now apparent the woman was past middle age but how she was still able to stand strongly on her foot puzzled Lyra. The woman even had more stamina than her.

" Child of light " She called drawing Lyra's attention

"Yes? " She answered confused on who she was referring to . But when she saw the woman's yellow teeth probably from tobacco consumption moving again, she understood at once she was being summoned.

"Do you wish to be protected from the darkness, from those who don't sleep at night until the light is extinguished " She asked again collecting some sort of slimy mud she had taken out of a broken coconut shell which was smeared on her ring finger.

Lyra replied positively again . She eyed the substance cautiously feeling the urge to take out her pepper spray. Was it too late to flee out of here?

She flinched when she felt something cold being rubbed on her forehead in the shape of some strange character. The sudden contact jerked her out of her daydreams, the slime was cool to the touch like some sort of menthol. She suddenly wondered how this crappy looking slime would taste like if she took some into her mouth?

Focus! She scolded herself mentally . Taste that sh*t ? What are you? an animal?.

Suddenly, the hand rubbing the character on her forehead stiffened alerting Lyra immediately.

"What's wrong? " Lyra looked up at her initiator's eyes and regretted it immediately.

The woman's gaze bore Into her's with blazing intensity as if she could see into the depth of her soul.

Suddenly, her lips moved "Why is there corruption in you?" She whispered to Lyra, an involuntary?shudder?running down her spine.

She frowned trying to make sense of her comment but before she could ask her question, an earsplitting roar came from the crowd almost destroying her eardrums.

Has she being accepted? Judging from the excited shout from the crowd, it seems like. Then why did she make such a statement? Eventhough Lyra have no clue of this town's crazy customs but she was clever enough to notice that this ceremony was done to ward off evil possessing a person.

Then why did the priest or so called initiator perform the rite? She could have just rejected her and tell everyone she has an evil inside. Unless this ceremony was fake and she was just mumbling bullsh*t .

Yes, that must be it.

The momentarily distracted Lyra turned to give the initiator a piece of her mind but to her horror discovered she was no where to be found but to her delight the party restarted in full swing. It was obviously full blazing party mode.

Jugs of booze were brought in from wherever they've being hiding it all night , party music blasted from the speakers while strung round twinkling lights hung at strategic points gave off a colourful ambience.

Lyra gulped.They definitely knew how to organize a party.

She looked around nervously searching for her mom . Lyra knew there was no way her mom would let them stay especially when the booze is involved moreover they've completed their initiation, there was no more reason to stay.

When Lyra couldn't find Jenny , she figured out she must have gone in search of Harry who must have snuck out after his initiation. Of them three, Harry was the most impulsive and reckless so it was no wonder her mom must have left her behind to go look for him probably with Ben's hand secured safely in hers.

Well since her mom wasn't here yet, she could have a little fun before she arrives. So Lyra joined the crowd who was jumping , screaming and dancing to the party beat .

"Hey " Someone said to her from behind interrupting her when she was just getting started with this party.

"Hi" She replied curtly hoping the stranger would take that hind and buzz off.

"Happy acceptance " The girl congratulated obviously pretending to be oblivious to her cold reception.

Fine, Lyra sighed. She would be nice this once since this one was not the like the egoistic barbie from earlier.

"Thanks " Lyra flashed a smile warmer than her previous response

"To your acceptance " She said toasting to a drink and offered another to Lyra which she turned down politely.

"No, thanks . My mom would skin me alive "

The girl rolled her eyes, sipping her drink leisurely "Hello ? don't be such a buzzkill, you could always apologize to momma later. What's the worst that can happen anyway? " She snarked.

Exhilarated with the urge to prove she wasn't a party pooper, She snatched the drink from the girl and downed it in one gulp causing the crowd to cheer at her performance.

The girl whistled at her action. "Wow, that was intense "

Blushing from the alcoholic effect, she stared down at the girl. The girl wasn't exactly good-looking , if anything she looked too boyish. She was toned and muscular, her blonde hair kept in a pixie cut and her eyes luminously large and dark. She was wearing a dark jean with an oversized polo shirt totally different from the people dressed in their animal print designs. Unfortunately her boyish figure belied her femininity.

Her voice was incredulously deep but pleasant to the ears, not to talk of her boobs. Judging from her attitude, Lyra knew at once she's a tomboy.

As if in cahoots, people started raising toasts to her, offering her drinks upon drinks until she couldn't afford to drink anymore. Her mom was totally going to kill her. Where was she by the way?

Feeling tipsy, Lyra knew at once the?alcohol?had started to work its magic. She walked out of the dancing ground and plopped down on a nearby seat.

"Hey " The tomboy called approaching her again.

What now?

"What's z this time? " She slurred , her articulation currently sloppy.

"Wanna have fun? " She inquired , a strange glint in her eyes.

"Wat Fun? " Lyra asked curiously

The tomboy inched closer, a huge bunny smile on her face "Ever heard of the haunted house of Little Town, we could have a lot of fun and adventure in there "

Hearing that name sent shivers down her spine but thanks to the alcohol she couldn't make sense of anything. The only she understood was 'fun' and 'adventure '

"So what do you say?" She pushed for an answer

" Fun " Lyra babbled

"Then, I'm taking that as a yes " The tomboy concluded helping Lyra to her foot.

A huge malevolent smirk fell on the tomboy's face which Lyra didn't fail to capture but she tried to tell herself it was the?alcohol scattering her thoughts and not the growing feeling of fear or concern she felt toward her.

So like a lamb to the slaughter, she followed sheepishly not knowing the outcome of tonight was going to change history forever.