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 about?" I

his perfect features. "I'm afraid

found you in the woods. It was so long ago, the details blur in my mind. "She was worried about something.

Ava: The Golden

"That seems unlikely. I have

my curiosity, but before I can press further,

don't you all come down for dinner? I'm sure you must be hungry after your

exchange wary glances. I can feel their hesitation, their distrust of this beautiful stranger who

with the conviction in my voice. If Sister Miriam is his mother, then he's

knows things he

his mother is our ally,"

Marcus shakes his head,

his pot out.

was near Blackwood before we

too convenient to be

points out from the bottom

the stairs. His hand never strays far from his weapon.

familiar, but it isn't

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

is nothing but trees. Wherever we

the modest accommodations," he says, as if a huge table that can easily fit sixteen is not

simple spread of bread, cheese, and what looks like a hearty stew steaming in earthenware bowls. It's far from the claborate Fae meals

Vanessa

Wait a second.

did you know we would be

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

nerves.

a seat at the head of the

ignoring the pointed looks from Marcus

The Golden

themselves on either side of

how did you know we 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

small smile. "Mother can be selective with the information

around the subject or promised to

for us to partake

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

their lead.

I was young. In every way

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

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

the pigs, but I keep my mouth shut. More important