Tangled

Chapter 21

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

to come with her.

I groan, but her resolute stare tells me she’s dead serious. “Fine, but just a quick walk.

a sigh, I scrape the food onto a plate and shove it into the microwave, resigning myself

dinner in favor of appeasing my restless. companion.

tail wags furiously as I clip the leash onto her collar, and she darts out the door the second it’s open wide enough, nearly yanking

evening air is a

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and Secrets (III)

falling into an easy rhythm, my earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but her path seems

venture too far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let Selene lead, trusting in

months.

bit of city forest. My food is cold at 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 pop out of the shadows to

go home. I’m starving.” I tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene.

direction.

me off my feet, and I stumble, barely

14:45.

38

Ava: Paranoia and

Selene’s not usually one for these kinds of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay!

once. Maybe

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

an eerie glow over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I

to the occasional bout of

sweat trickles down the nape of my neck as the air seems to thicken around us,

14:45 –

22 Ava: Paranola and

taking on an almost cloying quality. My pulse quickens,

heat

abdomen.

is happening

pauses, her nose twitching as 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

dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and

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