Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 255 Ava: The Golden Stranger

Light illuminates the room, and Marcus steps back, hiding me more fully behind his bulk.

"Who are you?" he asks, and I glance at the knife he's holding behind his back.

When I try to step around him to see who's talking, Vanessa steps forward to block the gap. I can't see anything, and yet I know who's talking. I just can't remember who they are.

"Easy, wolves. I am no enemy of yours, and no danger to the witch you shield."

"Give us your name," Vanessa snaps, uncharacteristic hostility in her tone. "Who are you, and why do you know us?"

"Ah, yes. I suppose you wouldn't know. I am known as Acarus, of the Fourth Beginning. You know my mother."

"Mother?" Marcus asks, shifting his weight as he edges a little closer. "And who might that be?"

"And what the hell is the Fourth Beginning?" Vanessa's annoyance is clear. "You can't throw around words and expect them to mean a thing."

"Oh. Yes, I suppose you wouldn't know that, either." A long pause. "Don't look at me so, wolves. My mother is Miriam, of the Fourth Beginning. Or, as you know it, Dakota Sanctuary." There's a lilt in his voice that tells me he's probably smiling. "Does that help?"

"Miriam?"

The talk of a mother dislodged a long-forgotten memory, and I shove past Marcus.

The golden stranger stands before us, his palms raised in a gesture of peace. His ethereal beauty is just as striking as I remember—inhuman in its perfection. Golden hair catches the light, and those piercing blue eyes seem to shift to a crimson hue as they move. A mild smile plays on his lips, but it does little to ease the tension in the room.

Marcus and Vanessa tug me back, their protective instincts kicking in, but I shake them off as I exclaim, "It's you!"

I turn to my friends, eager to explain. "He was in the woods during the Blackwood riot. He didn't harm me then."

Acarus nods in my direction, his gaze appraising. "You've become stronger since we last met, Ava Grey."

A question that's been nagging at me since our first encounter bubbles to the surface.

"Are you the vampire Margot was talking about?" I blurt out.

Confusion flickers across his perfect features. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

found you in the woods." It was so long ago, the details

"That seems unlikely. I have no contact with others. Especially

don't quite satisfy my curiosity, but before I

don't you all come down for dinner? I'm sure you must be hungry after your

can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who

can trust him," I say, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is his mother, then

"He knows

our

shakes his head, his posture tense. "He was near Blackwood before we began working with Sister Miriam. That's too convenient to

the ones who intruded on my privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of the stairs.

his movements cautious as he descends the stairs. His hand never strays far

The entire house looks familiar,

met Sister Miriam. This one isn't quite the same, but it definitely has

outside the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever

a

spread of bread, cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in

and Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

did you know we

and even the sound is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing balm

taking a seat at the head of the table. "I'll

Vanessa. They

"How is that possible? She never mentioned having children, and

into a small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information she

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like Selene

says, motioning for us to

stoic, not tempted by the food. Though I'm

raised me since I was young. In every way

rather have answers right now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you

didn't know exactly when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks." He nods toward the food on the table. "At least

want to ask about the pigs, but I keep my mouth shut. More important things to

know we were coming?" Marcus asks again, each