A Gift from the Goddess

Book 2 - Ch#7 Kieran Lycroft. Victor Lycroft, my target's, very own non.

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

And worse still, it was as if | had no control. Control over my oltuation, over myself and *. especially* no control when it cto this man, Kieran.

*Unfortunately, my father wasn’t able to make it tonight,” Kieran replied “Heliad an important matter cup and sentin his stead to extend our town’s support.” | could smell his scent so vividly, the wind now no longer masking it fromso intoxicating yet inviting... I'd never cacross anything like it before.

“A shame. But nevertheless, I'm glad you could join us. I've heard that you'll be taking 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 inspiredto 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 | couldn’t quite place mixed in. But whatever it was, | wanted more of it.

“Oh, apologies, where are my manners?” said my father, extending a hand towards me. “Allowto 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. | 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 | wanted to know too. What buonnons did he have questioning sonething so personal Clarification once whould live been sufficient, if needed at all. He didnt need to kuon my life story Kieran was now stanng atwith 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” And what was that supposed to mean? But langhter erupted from my father, clearly not bothered like | was “No, | don’t suppose she does I raised her with a good head on her shoulders I'm happy to hear she doesn’t act like most overbeaning city people do.” “Right..” Kieran agreed, but his voice still sounded distant in thought.

“Raven actually adores the outdoors and nature, something | know Ashwood has a lot of. Can‘t seem to keep her away from wanting to always be in the fresh air. Isn‘t that right, Raven?” Love the outdoors? Sure, | went running occasionally, but | wouldn't say it was a hobby or a defining trait of my personality.

| was 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. How he was lying in order to establish common ground between us.

And in doing so, he was tellingthat my target had changed for the evening.

With Victor now not attending the event, | would be needing to utilise the closest thing to it His son.

I couldn’t remember the last tI'd been this stressed.

“Raven?” My father’s voice pulledfrom my head after | still hadn’t spoken.

| wasn't acting in the way | was meant to be and he knew it. Hell, even if | were successful in finding out about the documents, | wondered if | was still going to face ssort of repercussion for my odd behaviour all night.

| weighed up my options quickly, debating which outchere would be worse, and ultimately, | made a choice | never expected to make. Especially not since | was so sceptical of him. But something inside pushedon, and | wanted to have faith in that feeling, And so | decided to trust the man I'd only just met. Trust in the fact that, if he hadn't instantly exposedas | thought he would, then he probably wouldn‘t do so.

“Oh right, I'm so sorry,” | said, acting out a small head shake and overly polite smile. “I seem to be a bit out of it tonight | should have given you my nbefore, that was so rude of me.” tepai nanjower ever ad alighily but | kepuny smile in place, hoping tould do riough to and the eletup Dount Alapne too much diough, luia lipia tumed 11 A strtfk and he held a band No need to wwwiy, it‘never too late for introduotione,” he said. “Kiaran Lycroft, pleasure to meet antar six land for a Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly regjelted it.

That sfeeling of marks began to spread through the contact with his skin, making ine lose Concentration.

And his louehitfelt so nice and warm, makingpainfully aware of thoughts that was cymg so desperately to suppress, Alter planting a small kins on the back of my hand, he letgo, and | found I'd forgotten Whatever | was meant to be saying See All is forgiven,” he joked | took a second to blink and elear my head belore scrambling to put back on the face | needed to show, trying to not let on just how affected I really was.

*p bow about i buy you a drink in apology?” | managed to say, acting on auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the slight slutter in my voice. “I would love to hear more about Ashwood.” Oh, you would? sure, I'd love a drink” | couldn‘t be certain, but it was almost as if he found this funny. Borderline mocking me. But | suppose laughing atfor whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter could have gone. And yet even though | knew that, | still couldnt help but feel mildly bothered by it | didn't enjoy feeling like | was a joke I'll leave you two for now, then,” my father paid, touching my arm, “It would be best if | checked in with sother acquaintances anyway. I'll be around if you need me.” His grip nightened onwithout warning, though not obvious enough for anyone to notice, and | picked up on the double connotation of his words. I'll be around if you need me‘ meaning he was around and would be keeping an eye on me, | gave him a small nod and hoped that it showed a confidence that, in actuality, | was so badly lacking in that moment *Shall we?” Kieran aaked behindonce my father had left And with that, the two of us walked to the bar and ordered our drinks.

| knew now was the tto do what I did beet. It was the tto stop letting myself becoverwhelmed and just focus entirely on the task at hand. Something that, with my track record to date, | was yet to fail even once in doing One of my specialties had always been in this particular ates of intimate persuasion.

*1'm so sorry again,” | said as we waited, making oure to sound as friendly as possible “I really don’t know what coverearlier and hope that you don’t think I'm ssort of unhinged, 1 timudiy laughed a little at myself anii tucked a look of halt behind my mar, hoping that he was. suboensciously picking up on the social cue Normally, | would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm but the thought of those sparks possibly being there madekamp my hands to myself “No not at all,” he replied “The whole thing was a bit funny and will make for a great story * My smile froze in place at that: * 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 between us? Like our own httle inside joke? | would * really* .. appreciate it.” Touch bis hand. Raven, ‘I told myself, knowing | needed to commit to this, But | really didn’t want to Thai feeling of losing control was one | despised, and even being around him was proving to be difficult.

Thankfully, the drinks arrived at that moment, and | used grabbing the glass as an excuse to do something else *Cheers,” | said, quickly taking a sip. Maybe another five of these and my nerves would finally be calmed But Kieran was slower to follow suit, his eyes watchingclosely in a way that madenervous Definitely not in the way | would expect a man to be acting aroundby now. He seemed almost. Wary.

“You know you can drop the act already?” he said suddenly. It was so out of the blue that it almost madechoke on my drink.

| coughed and quickly grabbed a napkin nearby to cover my mouth, trying to clear my airway.

What do you mean? | finally managed to ask after a moment.

* mean that your father isn't here so you can relax,” he said. “Or is it that you're scared of something else?” He then leaned in a little closer.” .Is it that | scare you, Raven?” Had | been too forward? Or maybe | wasn’t coming across genuine enough? No one had ever calledout for pretending before.

But he wasn’t entirely wrong. On either assumption. Something that only added to that fear, * | don’t know where you got that impression,” | said, still trying to smile. “I've been enjoying your company immensely. In fact, | was really hoping you'd tellmore about Ashw-.” “How about we play a gthen,” he said, cuttingoff. “How about... if | can guess exactly what you're thinking, then you'll stop the pretences and just talk tonormally? No more fake smiles or batting your eyelids just normal. Like that girl who pulled the knife in the gardens.” I'm not pretendi-,” | tried to object.

*#But, if I'm wrong.,” he interrupted again. “If I'm wrong, then I’ll give you your dagger back.. and I'll tell you whatever it is you are clearly trying so hard to find out about me.” | froze for a second as | heard his terms of the bet, wondering how the hell he could have picked up on my true purpose so easily. Would a stupid greally givethe answer | wanted? Oi, at least, | *could do that... Oh I could just switch up my approach.

“Fine, fine,” | said, sighing. “You got me. | was trying to be polite for the sake of my father. But it's true that you showed sgreat skill in deflecting though. | was surprised Do you enjoy fighting too? Is it common where you're from to learn that or-.

*-_And you're still acting,” he said in disappointment, leaning back to take a sip of his drink. “But it’s almost impressive how quickly you can change faces. Just a bit unnecessary, if I'm being completely honest.” My eyes narrowed at him.

Just who the hell was he? If he was a keen fighter and could pick up my mannerisms so easily, was he also trained in a similar field? Obviously, there was something missing here and it was something that was definitely *not* mentioned in the information folder for his father, Victor.

“My bet still stands,” he continued. “I don’t know about you, but | would much rather have a conversation without the theatrics.” | tried to cup with another idea, wondering if | could somehow still spin this around, but eventually | found myself contemplating the gonce more.

“So, letget this straight... you're going to try and guess exactly what I'm thinking? “Yep.” “And | can be thinking of anything | want?” “Sure can.” | was silent for another few seconds, trying to figure out how he could rig this unfairly, but ended up deciding that the odds were in my favour.

Because, after all, what was the worst that could happen?