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.

now staring at me with a more serious

act like most of the people I’ve met i n the

laughter erupted from my father, clearly not bothered

does.I raised her with a good head on her shoulders.I’m

"Right...,"

voice still

nature, something I know Ashwood has a lot of.Can’t seem t o keep her away from wanting to always be in the fresh

I went running occasionally, but I wouldn’t say it was

o n trying to figure out Kieran’s reactions, that

was lying in order to establish

had changed for the evening.With Victor now not attending the event, I would be needing to utilise

last time

voice pulled me from my head after

acting in the way I was

finding out about the documents, I wondered if I was

which outcome here would be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never

since I was

pushed me on, and I wanted to have faith in

to trust the man I’d

exposed m e as I thought he would, then he probably

acting out a small head shake and

it tonight.I should have given

but I kept my smile in place, hoping I could do enough

I held my

turned in a smirk and

need to worry, it’s never too

meet you, Raven." I stared at his hand for a second

through the contact with his skin, making

me painfully aware of thoughts that I was trying

of my hand, he let me go, and I found I’d

is forgiven," he

the face I needed to show, trying to not let on just how affected

drink in apology?" I managed

silently cursed the slight stutter

to hear more about

drink." I couldn't be certain, but it was

Borderline mocking me.

at me for whatever reason was better than the

but feel

leave you two for now, then,"

if I checked in with some other acquaintances anyway.I’ll be

tightened on me without warning, though not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up on the double

would be keeping an eye on me.I gave him a small nod and hoped that it showed a confidence that, in actuality, I was so badly lacking in that

me once my father

us walked to the bar and ordered our

was the time

become overwhelmed and just focus entirely on

track record to date, I

been in this particular area of

said as we waited, making sure to sound as friendly as

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 myself and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, hoping that he was subconsciously picking up

a hand out and gently touched his arm, but the thought of those sparks possibly being there made me keep

all,"

whole thing was a bit funny and

smile froze in place at

anyone about that, it’s so terribly embarrassing...," I said

keep it a secret just between u s? Like our own little inside joke?

hand, Raven" I told myself, knowing I needed

really didn’t want

and

the drinks arrived at that moment, and I used grabbing the glass as an excuse to