Page 30 of A Secret Promise

Fear still lingered in her mind, and Vixen's chest would literally start hurting every time she remembered the sight of Rule bleeding in front of her. It wasn't so long ago when someone had made an attempt on her life, but for some reason, she had been able to swiftly recover from that incident.

This time, though...

Was she finding it harder to recover because someone she cared about had been harmed?

Help me, God.

I know the Spirit of fear isn't from you.

Please help me remember I don't have to be afraid.

Vixen closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Please.

She remembered all the times He had saved her from loneliness and despair. Remembered all the times He had provided when she was in need, and what He had given her was always so, so much more. But most of all, what she needed to remember right now was that God was in control, and the pounding of her heart gradually eased as God answered her prayer.

He's with me, and so I have nothing to fear.

If He's with me, who can be against me?

What can man do to me?

Her heart was overflowing with peace by the time she stepped out into the hallway, and Vixen could only shake her head at how quickly God was able to turn things around. It didn't matter if nothing had changed yet. He had lovingly reminded her He was in control. That was all she needed to know.

Vixen hesitated outside Riley's bedroom before finally knocking on the door.

"Come in," the younger girl called out.

Riley was seated on the carpeted floor, her back against the bed, and the younger girl only watched her in silence as Vixen took a seat next to her.

"How are you coping?"

"I should be the one asking you that. You're the one who was almost attacked—-"

"But it was your dad who got hurt—-"

"I know you'd do the same thing for us if you had the chance," Riley said fiercely. "And I'm really, really glad Dad kept you from being hurt."

Vixen simply waited, sensing Riley's desire to say something else.

"What if it was really Mom?"

Her heart broke upon hearing this. "Oh, Riley. Don't go there—-"

"But what if it's really her?" Riley asked shakily.

"I know it's hardnotto think about those things, but it's exactly what Jesus asks us to do in Matthew 6:34."

A few moments passed before Riley released a sigh. "I really like how you have a Bible verse for everything."

"I wasn't always like this, though," Vixen confessed candidly.

Riley's expression remained dubious. "I can't imagine you beingmean."

"Oh, I don't mean I was different that way," Vixen was quick to clarify.

"So, if you got into trouble back then..."

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