A Gift from the Goddess

Kieran Lycroft...

Victor Lycroft, my target’s, very own son.

How had I managed to screw things up this badly? Within twenty-four hours, it felt like my life had gone from being careful, structured...

precise, into what I could only describe as complete erratic shambles.

And worse still, it was as if I had no control.

Control over my situation, over myself...and *especially* no control when it came to this man, Kieran.

"Unfortunately, my father wasn’t able to make it tonight," Kieran replied.

"He had an important matter come up and sent me in his stead to extend our town’s support." I could smell his scent so vividly, the wind now no longer masking it from me.

So intoxicating yet inviting...I'd never come across anything like it before.

"A shame.But nevertheless, I’m glad you could join us.I’ve heard that you’ll be taking his place upon his retirement.Is it common to elect representatives based on family in your town?"

Kieran gave a half laugh and looked around for a second, almost as if the question made him uncomfortable.

"We're just all very close up north in Ashwood.My father is a great role model and inspired me to take over for him.I’m honoured that the people @ of my town agree."

...His eyes then flicked back to my own, a look of curiosity and...something else that I couldn’t quite place mixed in.

But whatever it was, I wanted more of it.

"Oh, apologies, where are my manners?" said my father, extending a hand towards me.

"Allow me to introduce you to Raven."

"Raven? I’m glad to finally catch your name," he said, then turned back to Eric.

"You know, we actually had a moment to meet in the gardens just now."

...Oh no...please, no.My father raised a brow in confusion.

"Oh? Is that where she ran off to?"

"You wouldn’t believe it but...," Kieran chuckled lightly, apparently finding the whole thing hilarious, "she must have gotten quite the scare because..."

And it was then that Kieran finally looked back towards me, his sentence slowly coming to a stop as our eyes met.

“ ..Because...?" my father prompted.

"Oh...She ah...," Kieran stumbled, quickly clearing his throat.

"...She jumped in surprise.I guess I accidentally snuck up on her."

"That’s certainly uncharacteristic of her.My daughter is normally a hard one to take unaware."

"Your...daughter?" Kieran asked, confused.

"Raven is your daughter?"

"That’s right."

"And...and she grew up here in Lockdale City?"

"Yes...why?"

Why indeed, was what I wanted to know too.

What business did he have questioning something so personal? Clarification once should have been sufficient, if needed at all.

He didn’t need to know my life story.

staring at me with a more

of the people I’ve met

laughter erupted

good head on her shoulders.I’m happy to hear she doesn’t act like most overbearing city

"Right...,"

agreed, but his voice still

adores the outdoors and nature, something I know Ashwood has a lot of.Can’t seem t o keep her

say it was a hobby or a defining trait of my

trying to figure out Kieran’s reactions, that I didn’t immediately understand what my father was

order to

the evening.With Victor now not attending

couldn’t remember the last time I’d been

from my head after I

acting in the way I was meant to be

finding out about the documents, I wondered if I was still going to face some sort of repercussion for

my options quickly, debating which outcome here would be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never expected to

since I was so sceptical of

me on, and I wanted to

trust the

e as I thought he would, then he probably wouldn’t do

acting out

bit out of it tonight.I should have given you my name before,

my smile in place, hoping

quietly, I held

elapse too much though, his lips turned in a smirk and he held a

it’s never too late for introductions,"

to meet you, Raven." I stared at his hand for a second before extending my own...and instantly

feeling of sparks began to spread through the

and warm, making me painfully aware

kiss on the back of my hand, he let me go, and I found I’d forgotten whatever

is forgiven,"

clear my head before scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not

drink in

silently cursed the slight stutter in my

to hear

Sure, I’d love a drink." I couldn't be certain, but it was almost as if he found

Borderline mocking me.

for whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter could have

knew that, I still couldn’t help but feel mildly bothered by it.I

for now, then," my father said,

would be best if I checked in with some

warning, though not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and

him a small nod and hoped that it showed a confidence that,

behind me once my

two of us walked

was the time to do what I did

letting myself become overwhelmed and just focus entirely on

date, I was yet to fail even once

my specialties had always been in this particular

again," I said as we waited, making sure

really don’t know what came over me earlier and hope that you don’t think I’m some sort of unhinged, violent person now." I timidly laughed a little at

would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm, but the thought of those sparks possibly

at all," he

was a bit funny and will make

froze in place

O-oh...no, you don’t need to tell anyone about that, it’s so terribly embarrassing...,"

secret just between u s? Like

hand, Raven" I told myself, knowing I needed

I really didn’t want

losing control was one I despised, and even being around him was proving

moment, and I used