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 expression, the joking

of the

*that* supposed to mean? But laughter erupted from my father, clearly not bothered like

good head on her

"Right...,"

voice

I know Ashwood has a lot of.Can’t seem t o keep her away from wanting to

I wouldn’t say it was a

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

he was lying in order to establish common

doing so, he was telling me that my target had changed for the evening.With Victor now

last

me from my head after I still

way I was meant to be and he knew

about the documents, I wondered if I was still going to face

be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never expected

not since I was so sceptical

pushed me on, and I wanted to have faith in

to trust the man I’d

m e as

acting out a

a bit out of it tonight.I should have given you my name before, that was so

so slightly but I kept my smile in place, hoping I could do enough to turn this situation

I held my

the silence could elapse too much though, his lips turned in a smirk and

it’s never too late

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

spread through the contact with his skin, making me lose

touch...it felt so nice and warm, making me painfully aware of thoughts that I was trying so desperately

a small kiss on the back of my hand, he let me go, and I found I’d forgotten whatever I was meant to be

All is forgiven,"

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

I buy you a drink in apology?" I managed to say,

the slight stutter in my

to hear more about

I’d love a drink." I couldn't be certain, but it

Borderline mocking me.

I suppose laughing at me for whatever reason was

even though I knew that, I still couldn’t help but feel mildly

then," my

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

warning, though not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up on the

be keeping an eye on me.I gave him a small nod

we?" Kieran asked behind me once

walked to

the time to

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

date, I was yet to fail even

always been in this particular area

so sorry again," I said as we waited, making sure to sound as friendly as

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 on the

the

at all," he

whole thing was a bit funny and will make for a great

in

tell anyone about that, it’s

between u s? Like

myself,

really didn’t want

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

used grabbing the glass as an