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.

+

was talking about?" I blurt

across his perfect features. "I'm afraid I

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.

Ava: The Golden

head in thought. "That seems

quite satisfy my curiosity, but before I can press further, he changes

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

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

in my voice. If Sister Miriam

"He knows things he shouldn't,

his mother is our ally," I

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

"He was near Blackwood before

Miriam. That's too convenient

out from the bottom of the stairs. "Come along. I made sure to

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

looks familiar, but it isn't until I see the giant table that I

Miriam. This one isn't quite the same, but it definitely has

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

he says, as if a huge table that can

looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls.

Vanessa

Wait a second.

know we would

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

nerves.

the head of

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

The Golden

positioning themselves on either

would be here? Second, you said Sister Miriam 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. "Well, do dhampirs have...

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

times she's danced around the subject or promised to answer things later, much like Selene does-yeah, I'd say I've noticed

for us to partake

sit stoic, not tempted by the

their lead.

was young. In every way that matters, she

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

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

keep my mouth shut. More important things to worry about than