Tangled

Chapter 23

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

14.40

1/7

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 grunt, I manage to pry the box free from the earth. It’s a simple wooden affair, unremarkable save for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning

toward the box.

a deep breath, I lift the

bed of soft fabric, is a ring. But not just

14:46

27

Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

almost identical

them both, Selene says, as if

thoughts. At

gingerly lifting the ring from its resting place. “But why?

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

finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin

have to groom

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

the way back through the trees, leaving me to hurry after

as we walk,

14

317

Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

to explain what all that pain was about?

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

“Yeah, but

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

up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best

reply, leaving me to stew in silence as we retrace our steps back toward the

wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through

about it Selene’s

14:40 –

and Secrets

a sharp

her a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

replies flatly. Unless you want the

baffled. “What are you talking about? How would

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255