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.

+

the vampire Margot was talking

flickers across his perfect features.

Margot came to warn me about it, right before I found you in the woods. It was so long ago,

Ava: The Golden

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

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

dinner? I'm sure you must be hungry

Vanessa exchange wary glances. I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems to know so much

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

knows things he

his mother is our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before we

Sister Miriam. That's too convenient

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

His hand never strays far from his weapon.

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

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

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

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

simple spread of bread, cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from the claborate Fae meals we've grown accustomed to,

and Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

you know

even the sound is perfect. Melodious

nerves.

a seat at the head of the table. "I'll do

chair, ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus

Ava: The

positioning themselves on either side of me like

curiosity any longer. "How is that possible? She never mentioned having children, and

lips quirk into a small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information she divulges. I'm

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much

he says, motioning for us to partake as

and Vanessa sit stoic, not tempted by the food.

their lead.

raised me since I was young. In every way that

answers right now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our arrival? We didn't

I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks. He

about the pigs, but I keep my