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."

I found you in the woods." It was so long ago, the details blur in my mind. "She was worried about something. Worried I'd tell Lucas about their connection with vampires,

brows arch and he tilts his head in thought. "That

my curiosity, but before I can press further, he

all come down for dinner? I'm sure you

their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems to know so much about

surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is his mother, then he's probably on

narrow. "He knows things he shouldn't,

our

near Blackwood before

the ones who intruded on my privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made sure to have dinner waiting

His hand never strays far from his weapon. Vanessa follows,

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

place I met Sister Miriam. This one isn't quite the

And outside the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we

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

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

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

know

perfect. Melodious and

Acarus says, taking a seat at the head of

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

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

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

subject or promised to answer

he says, motioning for us to partake as he sits

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

every way that matters, she is my mother. Do you not

"How did you know about our arrival? We didn't plan on coming

his fingers together, he sighs. "Truth be told, I didn't know exactly when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for

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

were coming?" Marcus asks