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?"

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

you in the woods. It was so long ago, the

The Golden

his head in thought. "That seems unlikely.

quite satisfy my curiosity, but before I can press further, he

dinner? I'm

hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems

can trust him," I say, surprising myself with the conviction in

narrow. "He knows things

mother is our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

"He was near Blackwood before

That's too convenient to

Acarus points out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made sure

His hand never strays far from

a giant dining room. The entire house looks familiar, but

I met Sister Miriam. This

outside the windows is

a huge table

table is 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, but my stomach growls appreciatively at

and Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

did you know we would

sound is perfect. Melodious

nerves.

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

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

The

either side of me

Miriam is your mother, I begin, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "How is that possible? She never mentioned having

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

subject or promised to answer things later, much like Selene

motioning for

by the food. Though I'm pretty sure

their lead.

every way that matters,

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

"Truth be told, I didn't know exactly when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks. He nods toward the food on

keep my mouth shut. More important things to worry about