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."

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 my mind. "She was worried about something. Worried I'd tell Lucas about

arch and he tilts his head in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no

my curiosity, but before I can press further, he changes the

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

hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems

surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is his mother, then

narrow. "He knows things

is our ally," I point

his head, his posture tense. "He was near Blackwood before we began working with Sister Miriam. That's too convenient

out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made

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

The entire house looks familiar,

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

windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we are, it

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

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

and Vanessa

Wait a second.

you know we

perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing balm to

says, taking a seat at the head of the table.

ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa.

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 herself. "Well, do

can be selective with the

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much

he says, motioning for us to partake as

food.

every way that

rather have answers right now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know

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

keep

we were coming?" Marcus asks