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

perfect features. "I'm afraid I

it, right before I found you in the woods. It was so long ago,

The Golden

tilts his head in thought. "That

curiosity, but before I can press

dinner? I'm sure you must be hungry

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

we can trust him," I say, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is

eyes narrow. "He knows things

is our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before we began

too convenient

from the bottom of the stairs. "Come

first, his movements cautious as he descends the stairs. His hand never strays

familiar, but it isn't until

eccentric and eclectic, just like the first place I met Sister Miriam. This one isn't

here, for one. And outside the windows is

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

set for four, a simple spread of bread, cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

you know we would

sound is perfect. Melodious and deep, like

nerves.

says, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I'll do my best to answer

the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly

Ava: The

either

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.

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

around the subject or promised to answer things later,

motioning for us to partake as he sits back in

not tempted by the food. Though I'm pretty sure it's

their lead.

way that matters, she is my mother. Do you

says, still suspicious. "How did

would arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks. He nods toward the food on the table. "At least this time I won't

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