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

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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.

wooden affair, unremarkable save for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look,

toward the box.

breath, I lift the lid.

a ring.

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27

Paranoia and

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

wear them both, Selene says, as

thoughts. At all

the ring from its resting place. “But why?

yet time for you to know

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

Now, let’s get out of here before I have to

she eyes the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess.

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

we walk,

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all that pain was

It means precisely what

but becoming

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

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

back toward the main path. It’s only

a deep breath. There’s a lightness to my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my veins.

think about it Selene’s voice

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

thoughts in a sharp warning.

a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

replies flatly. Unless you want

about? How

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