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

for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look, but

toward the box.

breath, I lift the lid.

amid a bed of soft fabric, is a ring. But not just any ring–the

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

need to wear them both, Selene says, as

my thoughts. At all

resting place. “But why? What’s

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

mutter, but I obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances

Selene’s tone is one of satisfaction. Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this

clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a grooming appointment first thing in

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

we walk, the empty box tucked

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that pain was about? And what did you mean by me ‘becoming“?”

in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were

“Yeah, but becoming what,

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

my eyes, I hurry to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best thing for me.

retrace our steps back toward the main path.

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

even think about it Selene’s voice

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in a sharp warning.

blink, shooting her a perplexed

she replies flatly. Unless you want the attention

echo, baffled. “What are you talking about? How would me running bring any attention?”