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?" I blurt

across his perfect features. "I'm afraid I don't

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

The

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

curiosity, but before

for dinner? I'm sure you must be

glances. I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of

myself with the conviction in my voice.

knows things

mother is our

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before

too convenient to be

privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of

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

looks familiar, but it isn't until I see the giant

first place I met Sister Miriam. This one isn't quite the same,

is nothing but trees. Wherever we are, it isn't

he says, as if a huge table that can easily fit sixteen is

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, but

Vanessa

Wait a second.

know we would be

is perfect. Melodious and

nerves.

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

the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly

The Golden

on either

unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "How is that possible? She never mentioned having children, and vampires

"Mother can be selective with the information she divulges. I'm

subject or promised to answer things later, much like

son," he says, motioning for us

the food. Though I'm pretty sure it's

their lead.

In every way that matters, she is my mother. Do

"How did you know

you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks. He nods

keep my mouth shut. More important things