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."

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

and he tilts his head in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no contact with others.

my curiosity, but before I can press further, he

you all come down for dinner? I'm sure you must

exchange wary glances. I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems

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

narrow. "He knows things

is our ally," I point

Blackwood before we began

from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made sure to have dinner waiting for

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

room. The entire house looks familiar, but it isn't until I see the

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

is nothing but trees. Wherever

the modest accommodations," he says, as if a huge table

cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

did you know we would be

is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing

of the table. "I'll do my

a chair, ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly

how did you know we would 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

small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information she divulges. I'm sure

or promised to answer

am not her biological son," he says, motioning for us to partake

tempted by the food. Though

since I was young. In every way

right now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our arrival?

sighs. "Truth be told, I 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 this time I won't

about the pigs, but I keep my mouth

Marcus asks again, each word