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 prompts.

free from the earth. It’s a simple wooden affair, unremarkable save for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her head sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

toward the box.

a deep breath, I lift

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

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purple hue. It’s almost identical to the one I currently have

them both, Selene says,

my thoughts. At all times.

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

not yet time for you to know that. For now,

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

get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this

“Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a grooming appointment first thing in the morning.”

to lead the way back through the trees, leaving me

we walk, the

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and Secrets

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

ear in irritation. It means precisely what I

but

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

“Well, it’s not the best thing for me. I’m so

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

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

think about it Selene’s voice cuts

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Paranoia and

a

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

she replies flatly. Unless you want the

talking about? How