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 warn me about it, right before I found you in the woods." It was so long ago, the details blur in my mind. "She was worried

in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no contact with others.

don't quite satisfy my curiosity, but before I can press further,

down for dinner? I'm

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

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

eyes narrow. "He knows things he shouldn't,

our ally," I

his head, his posture tense. "He was near Blackwood before we began working with Sister

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

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

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

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

for one. And outside the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we

a huge table that can easily fit sixteen is

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

Vanessa

Wait a second.

you know we would be

is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing balm

the head of the table. "I'll do my best to answer

chair, ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly join us, positioning themselves on either side of

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 else

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

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like Selene does—yeah, I'd say

son," he says, motioning for us to partake as he sits back in

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

has raised me since I was young. In every way that matters,

did you know

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

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

you know we were coming?" Marcus