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?

going, Selene prompts.

a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift

fabric, is a ring. But not

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Paranoia and Secrets

deep, vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to the one I currently have

both, Selene

At all

resting place. “But why? What’s so special about

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

obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin as the two crystals are united.

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

expression as she eyes the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a

a huff, Selene turns and begins to lead the way back through the trees,

warily as we walk, the

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and

you going to explain what all that pain was

means precisely

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

cryptic is the best thing for everyone involved. Selene’s tone is

my eyes, I hurry to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best thing for me. I’m so confused right now.”

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

lightness to my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my veins. The aches and pains from earlier have faded,

about it

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Paranoia and Secrets

thoughts in a

shooting her a perplexed look. “Think about

flatly. Unless you want the attention it

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