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.

+

vampire Margot was talking about?"

perfect features.

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

Ava: The Golden

he tilts his head in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no contact with others.

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

don't you all come down for dinner? I'm sure you

glances. I can feel their hesitation, their distrust

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

narrow. "He knows things

our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

Blackwood before we began

Miriam. That's too convenient to

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

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

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

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

the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we are, it

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

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

and Vanessa

Wait a second.

you know

is perfect. Melodious and deep,

nerves.

the head of the table.

a chair, ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They

The Golden

themselves on either side of me like

did you know we would be 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

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

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much

he says, motioning for us to partake as he sits

and Vanessa sit stoic, not tempted by the food.

their lead.

In every way that matters, she is

Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our

I didn't know exactly when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks. He nods toward

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