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

the earth. It’s a simple wooden affair, unremarkable save for 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 on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

toward the box.

deep breath, I

ring. But not just

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27

Ava: Paranoia and

a deep, vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to

need to wear them both, Selene says, as

At

frown, gingerly lifting the ring from its resting place. “But why? What’s

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

slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin as

I have to groom myself for days to get all this filth out of my fur.

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

to lead the way back through the trees, leaving me

we walk, the empty box

14

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and Secrets

explain what all that pain was

means precisely what I said. You were

frown. “Yeah, but becoming what, exactly?”

Selene’s tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward

“Well, it’s not the best thing for

the main path. It’s only when

of renewed energy thrumming through my veins. The aches and pains from earlier have

it Selene’s voice cuts

14:40 –

Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

thoughts in a sharp

her a perplexed look. “Think

flatly. Unless you want the

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