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

perfect features.

"There was 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

Ava: The

he tilts his head in thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no contact with

words don't quite satisfy my curiosity, but before

for dinner? I'm sure you must

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

with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is his

"He knows things he shouldn't,

our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

Blackwood before we began

That's too convenient

on my privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom

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

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

met Sister Miriam. This one

for one. And outside the windows is

he says, as if a huge

hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from the claborate Fae

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

you know we would

even the sound is perfect. Melodious

nerves.

at the head of the table. "I'll

chair, ignoring the pointed looks from

Ava: The Golden

on either

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

smile. "Mother can be selective with the information

the times she's danced around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like

for us to partake as he sits back in

stoic, not tempted by the food. Though

their lead.

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

suspicious. "How did you know about

you 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

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