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?

Selene

I shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her head

toward the box.

breath, I lift

amid a bed of soft fabric, is a ring. But

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Paranoia and Secrets (V)

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

them both,

thoughts. At all times.

from its resting place. “But why? What’s so special about these crystals?”

time for you to know that. For now, you must

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

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

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

turns and begins to lead the way back through

as we walk, the

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

all that pain was about? And

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

frown. “Yeah, but

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

“Well, it’s not the best

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

renewed energy thrumming

about it Selene’s voice cuts

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and

thoughts in a

a perplexed look. “Think

flatly. Unless you want

echo, baffled. “What are you talking about? How would me

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