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 behind me,

I became painfully aware

I can manage that,"

the way he

if he were somehow devouring me with his

I could have sworn

maybe it was

"Make yourself at home."

finally stepped back, releasing me, and quickly I walked around him into

trying not to let myself become too comfortable

room

other day, the place was definitely some

larger than some people’s houses in

enough to host an elaborate party

but...well, the city isn’t exactly an ideal place to do something where people might see," he said as he walked

to make do with the space we have

as I turned to look at him, I had to fight the urge

side as he watched me, slowly starting

doing?" I yelled in surprise, unable

didn’t seem phased in any way though, his lip twitching

he said, as

want it to

he continued unbuttoning,

revealed seemed moulded around

would have expected to be hiding behind his

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

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

he said,

asked me to prove we were the same,

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

do that in here, was he? And my mind immediately recalled the massacres I

I

need to lock you inside

to

now, I could only make assumptions based on the knowledge I

knowledge...it wasn’t

glared at the ground, becoming lost in thought over my

even notice when

instantly, a shiver ran through

quietly, drawing in my

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

of me wanted so

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

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

ready?"

back cautiously

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

shocked silence as I watched him shift forms

effortlessly until all that was

large dark brown wolf that stared at me knowingly, a look embedded within

didn’t feel like running or feel

I felt recognition from deep

As though this felt...right.

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

the ground, presumably trying to make himself appear less

in control right now? Would this wolf move if he instructed it to? He looked at me as if he knew exactly who I was, knew exactly

to trust that instinct...reaching

soft," I mused aloud to

allowing me to continue feeling

feel the same sparks as when I

be something

could go from blackouts and bloody murders to anything even

Kieran apparently disagreed

he raised his head and gave me a nod, confirming that this really was

ached with new

to learn

don’t want to be so afraid

always felt so lonely, thinking I

seeing Kieran like this

teach me and was willing to help me learn about who I really

piece of the puzzle was coming

had were apparently completely

Natural.

lies or

purely a part of

did that mean I really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then

taken a little off guard by the

proven already that he had no

did finally emerge again, he was back to his normal

said, walking over

this immediately made me

or something to do first.Some way to practice safely," I argued, slowly

don’t think it’s a good idea for me

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