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.

+

the vampire Margot was talking about?" I blurt

across his perfect features. "I'm

I found you in the woods. It was so long ago, the details blur in my

The Golden

in thought. "That seems

but before I

down for dinner? I'm sure you must

I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful

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

"He knows things he shouldn't,

is our

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

"He was near Blackwood before

too

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

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

house looks familiar, but it isn't until

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

windows is nothing but

modest accommodations," he says, as if a huge

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 the

and Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

did you know

chuckles, and even the sound is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing

nerves.

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

a chair, ignoring the pointed

The Golden

on either side

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 aren't usually..." Well, that's kind of silly. She's the product of a vampire and something else herself.

with the information she divulges. I'm sure you've noticed

the times she's danced around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like Selene does-yeah, I'd say I've noticed

biological son," he says, motioning for us

not tempted by the food. Though

their lead.

since I was young. In every way that matters, she is my mother. Do

still suspicious. "How did you know about our

know exactly when you would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day

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