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."

right before I found you in the woods." It was

in thought. "That seems

curiosity, but before I

down for dinner? I'm sure you must be

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

with the conviction in my voice. If Sister

knows things he shouldn't,

is our

posture tense. "He was near Blackwood before we began working with Sister Miriam.

privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of

moves first, his movements cautious as he descends the stairs. His hand never strays far from his weapon. Vanessa follows, positioning herself behind

room. The entire house looks familiar, but it isn't

Sister Miriam. This one isn't quite the

windows here, for one. And outside the windows is nothing but

as if a

is set for four, a simple spread of bread, cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far

Vanessa

Wait a second.

you know we would

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

sit," Acarus says, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I'll do my best to answer your

from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly join us, positioning themselves on either side

"How is that possible? She never mentioned having children, and vampires aren't usually…" Well, that's kind of silly. She's the product of a vampire and something else herself. "Well, do dhampirs have…

can be selective with the information she divulges.

danced around the subject or promised to

am not her biological son," he says, motioning for

sit stoic, not tempted by the food. Though I'm pretty sure it's safe, I

since I was young. In every way that matters, she is my mother. Do you not like

says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our

been preparing a meal every day for weeks." He nods toward the food on the table. "At least

but I keep my mouth shut. More important things to worry

know we were coming?" Marcus asks again, each word like a