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.

was now staring at me with a

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

laughter erupted from my

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

"Right...,"

agreed, but his voice still sounded

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

I wouldn’t say it was a hobby or a

to figure out Kieran’s reactions, that I didn’t

lying in order to

the evening.With Victor now not attending

remember the last time

father’s voice pulled me from my head after I still hadn’t

I was meant to

if I were successful in finding out about the documents, I wondered if I was still going to face some sort of repercussion for my odd

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

was so sceptical

something inside pushed me on, and I wanted to

to trust the man I’d only just

fact that, if he hadn’t instantly exposed m e as I thought he would, then he probably wouldn’t do

acting out a small head shake and overly

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

my smile in

quietly, I

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

to worry, it’s never

his hand for a second before extending my

same feeling of sparks began to spread through

touch...it felt so nice and warm, making me painfully aware of

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

is forgiven," he

took a second to blink and clear my head before scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not

about I buy you a drink in apology?" I

cursed the

to

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

Borderline mocking me.

laughing at me for whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter

help but feel mildly bothered by it.I didn’t enjoy feeling like

now, then,"

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

enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up on the double connotation of his

around if you need me’...meaning he was around and would be keeping an eye on me.I gave him a

me

the two of us walked to the

knew now was the time to do what

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

I was yet to

always been

again," I said as we waited,

person now." I timidly laughed a

and gently touched his arm, but the thought of

at all,"

a bit funny and will

froze in place

you don’t need to tell anyone about that, it’s

u s? Like our own little inside

I told myself, knowing I

really didn’t want

feeling of losing control was one I despised, and even being

arrived at that moment, and I used grabbing the