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 prompts.

affair, unremarkable save for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift

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

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and

almost identical to the one I

need to wear them both,

At

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

head. It’s not yet time for you to

ring onto my finger. An odd tingle

I have

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 appointment first thing

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

warily as we walk, the

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

in irritation. It means

“Yeah, but

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

hurry to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the

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

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

about it Selene’s voice

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Paranoia and

thoughts in a sharp warning.

her a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

want the attention it will

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