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

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

toward the box.

I lift the

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

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and

almost identical to the one I

wear them both,

At all

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

you to know that.

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

of here before I have to

to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a grooming appointment first

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

warily as we walk, the empty box tucked

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

arm. “So, are you going to explain what all that pain

It means precisely what I said. You

but becoming what,

Selene’s tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward the

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

silence as we retrace our steps back toward the main path. It’s only when we reach the trailhead that I realize something feels… different.

pause, taking a deep breath. There’s a 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, leaving

even think about it

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Paranoia and

a

perplexed look.

Unless you want the attention

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