Tangled

24 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

I stare at Selene in utter confusion. “Dig? What do you mean, dig?”

Precisely what I said, she replies, her tone brooking no argument. Dig.

I glance around the small clearing, taking in the soft carpet of moss and fallen leaves. “With what? My hands?” The mere thought of digging into the earth with my bare fingers fills me with a strange revulsion.

Selene lets out a huff of annoyance. Yes, with your hands. I would do it myself, but… She pauses, eyeing the ground with distaste. I don’t like to get mud between my claws.

I can’t help but snort at that. “Are you sure you’re not just a husky after all? Because that’s a very husky–like attitude.”

In response, Selene snaps at the air, her jaws closing with an audible click. Enough stalling, she growls. Dig.

With a sigh, I sink to my knees and begin to dig, scooping handfuls of damp earth aside. Selene

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24 Ava Paranoia and Secrets (V)

watches me intently, her tail swishing back and forth.

Deeper, she urges after a few moments.

I grimace as my fingers sink into the cool, loamy soil. “This is so gross. You owe me a manicure after this.”

Selene merely flicks an ear, unimpressed by my complaints.

As I continue to dig, my arms quickly grow tired from the exertion. Sweat beads on my brow, and I can feel the grime caking beneath my nails. Ugh.

Finally, my fingers scrape against something hard and unyielding. I pause, brushing away the remaining soil to reveal…a box?

Selene prompts.

a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her head sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website

toward the box.

breath, I lift the

a ring. But not just any

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to the one

need to wear them both,

At

frown, gingerly lifting the ring from its resting place.

shakes her head. It’s not yet time for you to know that. For now, you

ring onto my finger. An odd tingle

here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this filth out of my

to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you

way back through the trees,

we walk, the empty box tucked

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

that pain was about? And what did

one ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were becoming.

but becoming

being cryptic is the best thing for everyone involved. Selene’s tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward

eyes, I hurry to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not

steps back toward the main path. It’s only when we reach the trailhead that I realize

wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my veins. The

even think about it Selene’s voice cuts

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Paranoia and Secrets (V)

thoughts in a sharp warning.

a perplexed look. “Think about

Unless you want

I echo, baffled. “What are you talking about? How would me