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 talking

perfect features. "I'm afraid

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 connection with vampires,

Ava: The Golden

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

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

dinner? I'm sure you must be hungry after

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

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

eyes narrow. "He knows

his mother is our ally,"

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

near Blackwood before we began

Sister Miriam. That's too convenient to be

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

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

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

eccentric and eclectic, just like the first place I met Sister Miriam. This one isn't quite the same, but it definitely has the

the windows is nothing but trees. Wherever we are, it isn't in a

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

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

and Vanessa

Wait a second.

did you know we would be

even the sound is perfect. Melodious and

nerves.

of the table. "I'll

ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus and Vanessa. They reluctantly

Ava: The Golden

positioning themselves on either side of me

is that possible?

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

or promised to answer things later, much like Selene

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

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

their lead.

young. In every way

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

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

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