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."

forward through the front door and closed

me, something that I became

can

the way he looked at

he were somehow devouring me with his

could have sworn

was

"Make yourself at home."

back, releasing me, and quickly I walked around him into the

trying not to let myself

room

day, the

it felt larger than some people’s houses in

an elaborate party without feeling even remotely

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

just have to make do with the space we

to look at him, I had to fight the urge

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

doing?" I yelled in surprise, unable to stop myself

way though,

favorite shirt," he said,

it to get

as he continued unbuttoning,

skin that was revealed seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted

have expected to be

I knew he was strong...but this? I swallowed and quickly

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

shift?" he said, almost a

prove we

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

he? And my mind immediately recalled the massacres I would wake up to

I

lock you

immediately made him laugh, much to my embarrassment.I was

could only make assumptions based on the

that knowledge...it

glared at the ground, becoming lost in thought over my

I didn’t even notice when he

instantly, a shiver

said quietly, drawing in my

could ever make me hurt you.I am the last person

part of me wanted

could respond though, he moved past me to start pushing couches and other pieces of furniture out the

semi-large open space i n which he stood looking

you ready?"

step back cautiously and nodded my

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

I watched him shift forms in

until all that was left was

stared at me knowingly, a look embedded

feel even remotely

recognition from

As though this felt...right.

I started to walk towards him, moving until I was crouched right in front

he laid down on the ground, presumably trying to make himself appear less

it to? He looked at me as if he knew exactly who I was, knew exactly what he was

decided to trust that instinct...reaching out hesitantly to

soft," I mused aloud

me to continue feeling the

as when I touched his

this really be something I

and bloody murders to anything even close

apparently disagreed with

me a nod, confirming that this really was

ached with

to learn

want to be

thinking I was a freak all

Kieran like

was willing to help me learn about who I

final piece of the puzzle was

I had

Natural.

or nefarious

a part

had been telling me the truth so far… did that mean I really could trust

a little off guard by the sudden

clearly proven already that he

back to his normal self and tugging on

turn," he said, walking over to

this immediately made

way to practice safely," I argued, slowly getting

for me to just

other than to just do it.I'll be right here to help