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?" I blurt

flickers across his perfect features. "I'm afraid

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 worried about something. Worried I'd tell Lucas about their connection

Ava: The Golden

"That seems unlikely. I have no contact with

but before I can press further, he

down for dinner? I'm sure you must be

hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful

surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. If

narrow. "He knows

mother is our ally,"

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before we began

Sister Miriam. That's too

the bottom of the stairs. "Come

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

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

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

are more windows here, for one. And outside the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we are,

says, as if a huge table that can easily fit sixteen is not

set for four, a 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,

Vanessa

Wait a second.

did you know we

sound is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing

nerves.

the head of the

ignoring the pointed looks from

The

either

begin, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "How is that possible? She never mentioned having children, and vampires aren't usually..." Well,

lips quirk into a small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information

she's danced around the subject or promised to answer

he says, motioning for us to partake as he sits

by the food. Though

their lead.

has raised me since I was young. In every way

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

his fingers together, he sighs. "Truth be told, I didn't know exactly when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day

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