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

of the

to mean? But laughter erupted from my father, clearly not bothered

does.I raised her with a good head on her

"Right...,"

but his voice still sounded distant in

something I know Ashwood has a lot of.Can’t seem t o

went running occasionally, but I wouldn’t say it was a hobby or a defining trait of my

by that comment, yet still too focused o n trying to figure out Kieran’s reactions, that I didn’t immediately

order to establish common ground

in doing so, he was telling me that my target had changed for the evening.With Victor now not attending the event, I would be needing to utilise the closest

remember the last

pulled me from my head

acting in the way I was

documents, I wondered if I was still going

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

since I was so sceptical of

I wanted to have faith in that

trust the man I’d

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

sorry," I said, acting out a small

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

I kept my smile in place,

quietly, I held my

too much though, his lips turned in a smirk and

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

at his hand for a second before extending my own...and instantly

through the contact with his skin, making me

me painfully aware

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

is forgiven," he

to blink and clear my head before scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not let on just how affected I really

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

the slight stutter in

to hear more

couldn't be certain,

Borderline mocking me.

whatever reason was better than the alternative

couldn’t help but feel mildly bothered

you two for now, then," my father said, touching

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

me without warning, though not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked

gave him a small nod and hoped that it

behind me

with that, the two of us walked to the

time to do what I did

the time to stop letting myself become overwhelmed and just

my track record to date, I was yet to fail even once in

specialties had always been in this particular area of intimate

we waited, making sure to sound as friendly as

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

the thought of those sparks possibly being there made me

at all,"

whole thing was a bit funny and

in place

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

between u s? Like our

Raven" I told myself,

I really didn’t want

control was one I despised, and even

that moment, and I used grabbing the glass as an excuse to do