A Gift from the Goddess

Over the next few days, I found myself feeling anxious.

Under the constant watchful eye of both my father and Gavin, I continued to play along with my usual daily routine.

Acting as if nothing was amiss.

Doing all the training that was asked of me.

But, inside, I was thinking back to that keycard.

The one I’d hidden under my mattress.

Waiting for exactly the right moment for when I’d be able to use it.

...A moment I found finally presented itself on the night of the third day.

With my father expected to be staying overnight elsewhere for a late meeting and Gavin only working until seven o’clock, I saw an opportunity to take advantage of the soon-to-be quiet house.

And I devised a plan to leave as soon as the sky grew dark.

A few hours later, I was slowly scaling to the ground from my bedroom window.

This being something I did with ease and without being seen.

And though I never thought to use my abilities to go behind my father’s back, I certainly couldn't deny that it came in handy.

Soon, before much time had passed at all, I found myself facing the door I’d been thinking of so incessantly.

The door I’d been wondering about every day, contemplating all of the things I could possibly discover once I entered through it.

A door that might just possibly change my life forever.

And I stared at it.

...And stared.

......And stared.

And I kept staring, even while my hand reached out several times to knock, failing every time to go through with it.

..I’d been so certain in my decision and come all this way, only to—.

But then, suddenly, the door opened in front of me.

"_.Are you just going to stand out there all night?" came a voice from inside.

It was his voice.I recognised it well now.

"I ah...," I started, feeling a little awkward for being caught.

"I’m sorry.I just...I—."

"It’s okay.No need to be sorry," he said, his face then appearing from the other side of the door.

Instantly, that same effect started to hit me, a reassurance spreading throughout as his presence held me.

"I get it.If you need more time to think, I can just leave this open.I’m not pressuring you to “

 "No!" I quickly blurted out.

"No, it’s okay.Everything is okay...I’m ready."

I came here with determination to get answers.I couldn’t back out now.

Whatever happened tonight, at least I could say that I tried.

My mistake would only lie in wanting to hope for a better life.

"Okay...well, come on in," he said.

I was ready to step through the door but was stopped a s he held a hand out to me.

Just as he had done so once before.

However, the last time he’d done that, I had been too overwhelmed to reciprocate.

Too many thoughts and questions holding me back, so unsure of everything that had been happening at the time.

Now, when I looked at his outstretched hand, I sawa possible beginning.

"T just need you to trust me," he had said to me that day.

Well, I couldn’t be sure if I was ready for that just yet, but I was at least willing to believe.

Believe that there was a chance of this being real...if only for a moment...And so I cautiously reached out...hesitating once or twice as I moved...before, finally, those same sparks tingled along my skin in greeting upon contact.

"I'm really glad you came back, Raven," he said, his voice low and eyes so intense.

And, instantly, I felt as my cheeks began to burn ever s o slightly.

..Clearly, I would need to be careful in more ways than one around him.I could see how easy it would be to become distracted from the mission at hand.

"This doesn’t mean I trust you," I clarified.

"And I… I'd like some sort of proof.I’m risking a lot by coming here and I feel it’s only fair that you prove you are what you say you are."

me forward through the front door and closed it

something that I became painfully aware of as

can manage

we were completely alone, the way he looked

he were somehow devouring

that I could have sworn appeared darker

it was

"Make yourself at home."

back, releasing me, and quickly I walked

trying not to let myself become

the room

suspected the other day, the place

felt larger than

elaborate party without feeling even

doing anything like this indoors but...well, the city isn’t exactly an ideal

do with the

turned to look at him, I had to

he stood to the side as he watched me, slowly starting

I yelled in surprise, unable to stop

any way though,

shirt," he said, as

want it to

sight of his chest as he continued unbuttoning, his actions undeterred from

that was revealed seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted muscles

would have expected to be hiding behind

strong...but this? I swallowed and quickly tried to

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

he said, almost a

me to prove we

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

in here, was he? And my mind immediately recalled the massacres I would wake up to

I

lock you inside a

him laugh, much to my embarrassment.I

assumptions based

that knowledge...it wasn’t

becoming lost in thought over my

when

instantly, a shiver

quietly,

that could ever make me hurt you.I am the last person you will ever need to

of me wanted so badly to

and other pieces of furniture out the way,

the time he was done, there was a semi-large open space i n which he stood looking

you ready?" he

back cautiously and nodded

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

him shift forms in a mere

all that was left was

at me knowingly, a look embedded within those familiar hazel

feel like running or feel even remotely afraid, as I thought

recognition

As though this felt...right.

to walk towards him, moving until I was crouched

the ground, presumably

He looked at me as if he knew exactly who

that instinct...reaching out hesitantly to touch his

I mused aloud

eyes closed upon contact, allowing me to continue

same sparks as when I touched his skin, I

this really be something I can

could go from blackouts and bloody murders to anything

apparently disagreed

gave me a nod, confirming that this really

chest ached with

learn this," I

don’t want to be

felt so lonely, thinking I

seeing Kieran

me and was willing to help

honestly felt like the final piece of the puzzle was coming

I had were apparently

Natural.

or nefarious

purely a part of being

truth so far… did that mean I really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then stood up, shaking his fur and running off

guard by the

proven already that he had no intention of mauling

finally emerge again, he was back

he said, walking

this immediately

that there’d be like...exercises or something to do first.Some way to practice safely," I argued, slowly getting

for me to just jump right in

way to learn other than to just do it.I'll be right here to help talk you through it.Nothing bad will happen,