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.

carved into the lid. I shoot

toward the box.

I lift the lid.

a ring. But not just any ring–the centerpiece is a

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27

Paranoia and

vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to the

need to wear them both, Selene says, as

thoughts. At

from its resting place. “But why? What’s

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

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

out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this filth out of my fur.

the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you

turns and begins to lead the way back through the trees,

eye Selene warily as we walk, the

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arm. “So, are you going to explain what all that pain was about? And what

irritation. It means precisely what

frown. “Yeah, but becoming

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

retrace our steps back toward the main path.

of renewed

about it Selene’s voice cuts

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and

a sharp warning.

shooting her a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

flatly. Unless you want the attention

you talking about? How would me running bring any attention?”

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