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

across his perfect features.

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

Ava: The

brows arch and he tilts his head in thought. "That

don't quite satisfy my curiosity, but before I

all come down for dinner? I'm sure you must

hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who seems to

in my voice. If Sister Miriam is

knows

is our ally," I point

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before we began

That's too

on my privacy," Acarus points out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made sure

moves first, his movements cautious as he descends the stairs. His hand

into a giant dining room. The entire house looks familiar, but it isn't until I see

first place I met Sister Miriam. This one

one. And outside the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we are, it isn't

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

what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's

Vanessa remain

Wait a second.

you know we would be

even the 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

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

Ava: The

on either

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.

be selective with the information she divulges. I'm sure you've noticed that by

or promised to answer

biological son," he says, motioning for us to partake as he sits

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

their lead.

since I was young. In every way that matters, she is my mother. Do you not

rather have answers right now," Vanessa says, still suspicious. "How did you know about our arrival? We didn't plan

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

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