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

to pry the box 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,

toward the box.

breath, I lift the

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

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and Secrets

deep, vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical

to wear them both, Selene says, as

my thoughts. At all

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

shakes her head. It’s not yet time for you to know that. For

finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin as the two

have to

the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a

huff, Selene turns and begins to lead the way

Selene warily as we

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all that pain was about? And what did you mean by me

means precisely what I

but becoming what, exactly?”

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

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

retrace our steps back toward the main

renewed energy thrumming through my veins. The aches and pains from earlier have faded, leaving me feeling

think about it Selene’s voice cuts through

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Paranoia and

a sharp warning.

a perplexed look. “Think

want the attention it

baffled. “What are you talking about?

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