A Gift from the Goddess

Book 2 – Ch#7 

Kieran Lycroft. Victor Lycroft, my target‘s, very own non. 

How had I managed to screw things up this badly? within twenty–four bourg, I felt like my life had gone from being careful, structured precise, into what I could only describe as completo erratic shatnbles.

And worse still, it was as if I had no control. Control over my oltuation, 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 “Heliad 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 hio 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 1 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 Loudila Olly?” 

why mdeed, wax what I wanted to know too. What buonnons did he have questioning sonething so personal Clarification once whould live been sufficient, if needed at all. He didn‘t need to kuon my life story 

Kieran was now stanng at me with a more serious expression, the joking tone now gone “on, nothing she just doean‘t act like most of the pooplo i‘ve met in the city” 

what was that supposed to mean?

my father, clearly not bothered like I was “No, I don‘t suppose she does I raised her with a good head on

his voice still sounded distant in

Can‘t seem to keep her away from wanting to always be in the fresh air. Isn‘t that

but I wouldn‘t say it was a hobby

yet still too focused on trying to figure out Kieran‘s reactions, that I didn‘t immediately understand what my father was doing. How he was lying in order to

he was telling me that my target had

Victor now not attending the event, I would be needing

His son. 

last time I‘d been

“Raven?”

father‘s voice pulled me from my head after I still hadn‘t

knew it. Hell, even if I were successful in finding out about the documents, I wondered if I was still

outcome here would be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never expected to make. Especially not since I was so sceptical of him. But something inside pushed me on, and I wanted to have faith in

only just met. Trust in the fact that, if he hadn‘t instantly

polite smile. “I seem to be a bit out of it tonight I

ad alighily but I kepuny smile in place,

luia lipia tumed 11 A strtfk and

late for introduotione,” he said.

Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly

And his louehitfelt

hand, he let me go, and I found

forgiven,” he joked

to blink and elear my head belore scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not let on

buy you a drink in apology?” I managed to say, acting on auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the

I‘d love a drink”

almost as if he found this funny. Borderline mocking me. But I suppose laughing at me for whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter could have gone. And yet even though I knew that, I still couldn‘t help but feel mildly bothered by it I didn‘t enjoy feeling like I was a joke

two for now, then,” my father paid, touching my arm, “It would be best if I checked in with

on me without warning, though not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up on the double connotation of his words. I‘ll be around if you need me‘ meaning

that it showed a confidence that, in actuality,

behind me once my

the two of us walked to the bar and ordered our

to stop letting myself become overwhelmed and just focus entirely on the task at hand. Something that, with my track record to date, I was yet to fail even once in doing One

sorry again,” I said as we waited, making oure to sound as friendly as possible “I really don‘t know what came

little at myself anii tucked a look of halt behind my már, hoping that he was. suboensciously picking up on the social cue Normally, I

not at all,” he replied “The whole thing was a bit funny

froze in place at

“How about we keep it a secret just between us?

knowing

losing control was one I despised, and even being

and I used grabbing the glass as an excuse to

sip. Maybe another five of these and my nerves would