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.

a more serious expression, the joking tone now

of the people I’ve

But laughter erupted

I don’t suppose she does.I raised her with a good head on her shoulders.I’m

"Right...,"

agreed, but his voice still sounded distant

know Ashwood has a lot of.Can’t seem t o keep her away from wanting to always be in the fresh air.Isn’t

but I wouldn’t say it was a hobby

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

order to establish common

in doing so, he was telling me that my target had changed for the evening.With Victor now not attending the

couldn’t remember the last time I’d been

from my head after I

acting in the way I was meant to be and he knew

I wondered if I was still

would be worse,

since I was so

me on, and I wanted to have faith in

decided to trust the man I’d only

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

I said, acting out a small

should have given you

my smile in place, hoping I could do enough to turn

I held

too much though, his lips turned in a

need to worry, it’s never too late for introductions," he

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

same feeling of sparks began to spread through the contact with his skin, making me lose

and warm, making me painfully aware of thoughts that I was trying so desperately

hand, he let me go, and I found I’d forgotten whatever I was meant

All is

a second to blink and clear my head before scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying

a drink in apology?"

the slight stutter in my

love to hear more

be certain, but it

Borderline mocking me.

reason was better than the alternative ways

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

now, then," my father said,

I checked in with some

not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up

you need me’...meaning he was around and would be keeping an eye on me.I gave him a small nod and hoped that it showed a confidence

Kieran asked behind me

walked to the bar and ordered our

time to

stop letting myself become overwhelmed and just focus entirely on the task at

to date, I was yet to fail even

my specialties had always been

so sorry again," I said as we waited, making

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 on

would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm, but the

all,"

thing was a bit funny and will make for

in

anyone about that,

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

told myself, knowing I needed to

I really

one I despised, and

arrived at that moment, and I used grabbing