A Gift from the Goddess

“Raven, wake up.It’s midday already,” continued the voice I’d just heard. I pulled myself up and winced, touching my forehead gently. A loud thumping pulsed painfully inside as a headache immediately looked to greet me. It seemed this day was already off to a great start. 

“Raven!” the voice called again. 

“I’m awake!” I yelled back. 

Two minutes. That’s all I was asking for. Two minutes to wake up and process… whatever the hell *that* had been. I could still recall it vividly, witnessing what I could only assume was the form I took when I became the beast. Perhaps this was my consciousness manifesting it. 

Appearing inside my nightmare due to how prevalent it had been on my mind prior to sleeping.

 After all, they say that dreams hold significance to the things you are worried about when awake. 

Nonetheless, it was still surprising to see its appearance for the first time; if that depiction was even accurate at all. A coat of fur as dark as my hair with fearsome eyes. Was that truly the last thing some people saw before their death? 

I shuddered at that thought. Regardless, I had to do my best to push it out of my mind as there were more important things to worry about today. 

And with that final thought, the door then swung open revealing an older man with greying hair. He might have even been considered handsome for his age if it weren’t for the several scars marring his face…. 

“Get the fuck out of bed and get your ass to the gym,” he said sharply

.…

And if it weren’t for his terrible attitude. My eyes narrowed slightly at the intrusion, but I kept my calm. I’d found it better not to get angry with my new tutor, Gavin. 

Though nowhere near as competent as his deceased predecessor, he still was a formidable opponent in a fight. One with a temper as short as his patience. And with that overbearing attitude, probably compensating for something else just as short.

“I have an event tonight, sir,” I explained politely, forcing myself to appease him. 

“I’m expected to make an appearance in front of many important people. The boss should have already told you that I need to look my best.”  He snorted in a laugh. 

“No amount of make-up is going to help you if you keep sitting on your lazy ass. Besides, I don’t see how training would interfere with the event.” 

“And when I’m presented to these people covered in bruises from training, how do you suppose I explain that without a formal investigation being started? …*Sir*” I tilted my head and stared him down, waiting for his reply. 

But instead of his brow furrowing slightly in the realisation that I was correct, like what I was expecting, instead he did the complete opposite. 

…He smirked. 

“Well, I don’t suppose there’ll be any issues running laps, then?”. Goddammit. 

Four hours later my training session was finally done, leaving me with only a few hours to get ready for the charity event. 

And whilst Gavin’s inability to give me even a single day off certainly was a hindrance, what was most important now was to ensure I looked immaculate for the special assignment I’d be working come nightfall. 

Something easier said than done given the dark circles under my eyes. In preparation for the mission, I’d memorised everything that the manilla folder had listed on this foreign mayor, Victor Lycroft. 

But despite that information, and despite the fact I’d had many missions far more difficult than this before, I still felt… off. 

Was it because of my lapse in control yesterday? Or perhaps the pressure to ensure I didn’t fail  again? 

Or was it because I knew my punishment would be the most severe to date if I came home empty-handed? 

wave of

voice then yelled from down the hall.

inform me that it was time.

finally join me,” my father said as

keeping you waiting,

 “Results are all that matter,” he chuckled, sipping

dress compliments your beauty perfectly. I doubt we’ll have

I’m confident we’ll have

he corrected. “You’re here tonight

course,” I said, forcing a small smile on my lips.

“Father.” 

rare to attend events as Eric Reid’s daughter that it was easy to forget how to act during those times. Not to say he wasn’t my father, but my training had always been very strict

one of the best benefits I possessed. Which was why this event was all the

would end up being introduced to many key figures, losing that faceless

 And it also told me one very crucial thing… It told me that my father considered this mission more important than my best asset. So just what was so special about those

thoughts, and I felt as the vehicle

type of upper-class event. In fact, I was grateful for the gesture as I took him up on it, grabbing my floor-length dress together in my free hand to avoid tripping.

stop myself from immediately looking around at my surroundings.

all things considered. Vines crept up the walls of the

my father owned. But there was something else about this place that felt… different. Something in the air. Like a feeling of restlessness I couldn’t seem to shake. Was I still feeling sick from the night

on,” my father said, gently grabbing

will be inside.”

lead me up the stone steps and through a set of large

an interior to match its impressive exterior. I admired some of the fine art and

of

grand ballroom was set up to accommodate the large volume of people in attendance. It was by far the most expensive looking event I’d ever personally attended, something that probably wasn’t too difficult to accomplish

at least, being invited to accompany my father inside, as opposed to just running

I quickly refocused in as

man I instantly recognised as he shook hands with my father politely. He was approximately the same age as him but where my father’s features were dark, this

my father

home. It’s always a delight whenever

course!” he said, smiling.

a very beautiful date

my mistake,”

went to one of surprise as he took in my appearance once more.

I’m so sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know you had such a lovely a daughter! But I can see why

*Social*. 

social tonight. This wasn’t a job I could

was normally the easiest part; talking to strangers

it so

lapse in normal etiquette, and I felt as his cold eyes turned towards me. As if silently prompting me to get it together. Smile,

quickly shook off my

 “Mayor Lewis,” I said, forcing my lips to respond. “It’s a pleasure to

or discredit his policies. But he

so much for selflessly organising this

our family won’t come close to the generosity you are showing us tonight.” I held out my