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” 

that supposed

bothered like I was “No, I don‘t suppose she does I raised her with a good head on

voice still sounded distant

lot of. Can‘t seem to keep her away from wanting to always be

I went running occasionally, but I wouldn‘t say it was a hobby

puzzled by that comment, yet still too focused on trying to figure out Kieran‘s reactions, that I didn‘t immediately understand what my father was doing.

was telling me that my target had

be needing

His son. 

time I‘d

“Raven?”

from my head after

to be and he knew it. Hell, even if I were successful in finding out about the documents, I wondered if I was still going to face some sort

make. Especially not since I was so sceptical of him. But something inside pushed me on, and I wanted to

the fact that, if

a small head shake and overly polite smile. “I seem to be a bit out of it tonight I should have given you my name before, that was so rude of

alighily but I kepuny smile in place, hoping

Dount Alapne too much diough, luia lipia tumed 11 A strtfk and he

to wwwiy, it‘never too late for introduotione,” he said. “Kiaran

for a Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly regjelted it.

ine lose Concentration. And his louehitfelt so nice and warm, making me painfully aware of thoughts that was cymg

me go, and

forgiven,” he joked

scrambling to put back on the

drink in apology?” I managed to say, acting on auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the slight slutter in my voice.

I‘d love

but it was 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

would be best if

nightened 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 he

confidence that, in actuality, I was so

me once my father

two of us walked to the bar

do what I did beet. It was the time 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 of my specialties had

waited, making oure to sound as friendly as possible “I really don‘t know what came over me earlier and hope that

picking up on the social cue Normally, I would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm but the thought of those sparks possibly being there made me kamp my

a bit funny and will make for a great story

smile froze in

Story? 0-oh… no, you don’t need to tell anyone about that, it‘s so terribly embarrassing, “I unid stiffly “How about we keep it a secret just

‘I told myself, knowing I needed

losing control was one I despised, and even being

at that moment, and I used

taking a sip. Maybe another five of these and my nerves would finally