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

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

toward the box.

I lift

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

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and

a deep, vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to

them both, Selene says, as if

my thoughts. At all times.

ring from its resting place. “But

not yet time for you to know

ominous,” I mutter, but I obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin as the two

here before I have to groom myself for days

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

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

as we walk, the

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

going to explain what all that pain was about? And what did you mean by me ‘becoming“?”

ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said.

“Yeah, but becoming what,

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

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

back toward the main path. It’s only when we reach the

taking a deep breath. There’s a lightness to my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my

think about it Selene’s voice cuts

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Paranoia and Secrets (V)

a sharp

a perplexed

replies flatly. Unless you want the attention it will bring.

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