Tangled

Unshift 255

Unshift 255

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.

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.

+

you the vampire Margot was talking about?"

perfect features. "I'm afraid I

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

Ava: The Golden

head in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no contact

satisfy my curiosity, but before I can press further, he

dinner? I'm

their distrust of this

think we can trust him," I say, surprising myself with the conviction in

knows things he shouldn't,

mother is our

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before

too convenient

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

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

The entire house looks familiar, but it

met Sister Miriam.

windows here, for one. And outside the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we are, it isn't

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

stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from the claborate Fae meals we've grown

and Vanessa

Wait a second.

did you know we

Melodious and deep,

nerves.

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

a chair, ignoring the pointed looks from

Ava: The

positioning themselves on either

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

smile. "Mother can be selective with the

or promised to answer things later, much like Selene does-yeah, I'd

her biological son," he says, motioning for us

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

their lead.

was young. In every way that matters, she is

now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know

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

want to ask about the pigs, but I keep my mouth shut. More important