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."

to organize my thoughts. "There was a vampire on Blackwood lands. Margot came to warn me about it, right before I found you in the woods." It was so long ago, the details blur in

in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no

before I can press further, he changes the

down for dinner? I'm sure you must be hungry after your

hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems to know so

in

eyes narrow. "He knows things he

mother is our

head, his posture tense. "He was near Blackwood before we

Acarus points out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come

hand never strays far from

leads us into a giant dining room. The entire house looks familiar, but it isn't until I see

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

windows is nothing but

modest accommodations," he says, as if a huge table that can easily fit sixteen

is set for four, a simple spread of bread, cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from the elaborate Fae meals we've grown

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

know

the sound is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a

sit," Acarus says, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I'll

pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly join us, positioning themselves on

be here? Second, you said Sister Miriam is your mother," I begin, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "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

a small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information she divulges. I'm sure you've noticed that by

danced around the subject or promised to answer things later, much

for us to partake as he sits

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

young. In every way that matters,

says, still suspicious. "How did you know

when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks." He nods toward the food on the table. "At least

ask about the pigs, but I keep my mouth shut.

were coming?" Marcus asks