Tangled

22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

I try to slip the crystal back into the drawer of my nightstand, but Selene darts forward, her body wriggling between me and the furniture like a furry battering ram. With a huff of frustration, I pull my hand back, the crystal still clutched in my fist.”

“Selene, down,” I scold, but she remains resolutely in my path, those pale blue eyes fixed on the object in my grasp.

Realizing this is a battle I won’t win, I shove the crystal into the pocket of my jeans, ignoring the uneasy weight that seems to settle in my gut at its presence. Selene’s tail wags, and she trots back toward the kitchen, pausing every few steps to glance over her shoulder, as if ensuring I follow.

The aroma of the sautéed vegetables greets me as I re–enter the kitchen, and my stomach rumbles in

anticipation. But as I move to finish plating the meal, Selene darts underfoot, nearly sending me sprawling. I sidestep her clumsily, shooting her a glare.

“What has gotten into you?” I mutter, stirring the

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22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (1)

contents of the pan with perhaps more force than

necessary.

Selene whines, her nose pointed toward the front. door, and understanding dawns.

“All right, all right.” I rush over to open the front door.

But Selene remains rooted to the spot, her gaze flickering between me and the door, an insistent whine escaping her. I frown as realization sets in–she wants

come

me she’s dead serious. “Fine, but just

a plate and shove it into the

dinner in favor of appeasing

enough, nearly yanking me off my feet. I stumble after her,

is a welcome relief

2/6

Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but

should insist we turn back before we venture too far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I

months.

home, and we have at least a half hour of walking to get back home. I’m hungry and worn out from the day, and I keep looking around like someone’s about to

we need to go home. I’m starving.” I tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene. Come on. Now!”

direction.

almost yanks me off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching

14:45.

38

and Secrets (III)

kinds of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay! I get it, you aren’t done.”

once. Maybe

crunch of fallen leaves and twigs beneath my boots echoing in the stillness. A shiver skitters down my spine. I can’t

her movements purposeful, almost urgent.

companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the

down the nape of my neck as

14:45 –

Paranola and

foliage taking on an almost cloying quality. My pulse

as an unfamiliar heat

abdomen.

happening to

she scents the air, and I take the opportunity to glance around, trying to get my bearings. But the trees seem to blur together, an endless maze of bark and branches that offers

my frame, my fingers clenching spasmodically around the leash as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting