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.

+

was talking about?"

flickers across his perfect features.

a deep breath, trying to 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 blur in my mind. "She was

Ava: The Golden

thought. "That seems

but before I can press further, he changes

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

I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems

say, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is his mother, then he's probably

knows things he

is our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

Blackwood before we

That's too convenient to be

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

hand never strays far from his weapon. Vanessa follows, positioning herself behind

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

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

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

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

like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

did you know we

perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing balm

nerves.

says, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I'll

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

The Golden

positioning themselves on either side

curiosity any longer. "How is that possible? She never mentioned

"Mother can be selective with the information she divulges. I'm sure you've noticed that

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like Selene

her biological son," he says, motioning for

the food. Though I'm pretty

their lead.

young. In every way

rather have answers right now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our arrival? We

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

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