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 more serious expression,

the

what was *that* supposed to mean? But laughter erupted from my father, clearly not

does.I raised her with a good head on her shoulders.I’m happy to hear she doesn’t act like most overbearing city

"Right...,"

his voice still sounded distant

t o keep her away from wanting to always be

running occasionally, but I wouldn’t say it was a hobby or

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

was lying in order to

me that my target had changed for the evening.With Victor now not attending

son.I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been

from

acting in the way I was meant

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 behaviour

my options quickly, debating which outcome here would be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never expected to

was so sceptical of

inside pushed me on, and I wanted to

I decided to trust the

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

sorry," I said, acting out a small head shake and

it tonight.I should have given

in place, hoping I

quietly, I

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

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

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

to spread through the

warm, making me painfully aware of thoughts that I

he let me go, and

All 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 let on just how

you a drink in apology?"

I silently cursed the slight stutter in

would love to hear more

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

Borderline mocking me.

I suppose laughing at me for whatever reason was

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

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

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

obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up on the

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

asked behind me once my

walked to the bar and ordered

time to do

overwhelmed and just focus entirely on the task at

my track record to date, I was yet to

had always been in this particular area

sorry again," I said as we waited, making

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

his arm, but the thought of those

all," he

was a bit funny and will make for a

smile froze in place at

about

between u s? Like our own little

myself, knowing I needed to

really didn’t want

and even

arrived at that moment, and I used grabbing the glass as