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

perfect features. "I'm afraid I

take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. "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 blur in my mind. "She was worried about something. Worried I'd tell Lucas about their

The Golden

thought. "That seems unlikely. I have no

my curiosity, but before I

don't you all come down for dinner? I'm sure you must

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

conviction in my voice. If

narrow. "He knows things he shouldn't,

mother is our

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

Blackwood before we

Sister Miriam. That's too

who intruded on my privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made sure to have dinner waiting

the stairs. His hand never strays far

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

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

the windows is

says, as if a huge table that can easily fit sixteen is not

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

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

you know we would

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

nerves.

the head of the table.

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

Ava: The Golden

either side of me

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 small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information she divulges. I'm sure you've noticed that by

around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like

not her biological son," he says, motioning for us

Vanessa sit stoic, not tempted by the food. Though I'm pretty sure it's

their lead.

In every way that matters, she is my mother. Do you

says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our arrival? We didn't

fingers together, he sighs. "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 the table. "At least this time I won't be

but I keep my