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.

+

Margot was talking about?" I

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

you in

Ava: The

thought. "That seems unlikely. I

don't quite satisfy my curiosity, but before I can press further, he

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

wary glances. I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems to know so much

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

"He knows things he

his mother is our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

Blackwood before we

That's too convenient

the ones who intruded on my privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of the

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

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

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

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

for the modest accommodations," he says, as if a huge table that can easily fit sixteen is

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

Vanessa

Wait a second.

did you know we would

sound is perfect. Melodious and deep, like a soothing balm

nerves.

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

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

Ava: The Golden

themselves on either

that possible? She never mentioned having children, and vampires aren't usually..." Well,

can be selective with

promised to answer

not her biological son," he says, motioning for us to partake as he sits

stoic, not tempted by the food. Though I'm pretty sure

their lead.

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

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

arrive. I've been preparing a meal every day for weeks. He nods toward the food on the table. "At

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