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

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

toward the box.

a deep breath, I

fabric, is a ring. But

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and

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

them both,

At all times.

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

head. It’s not yet time for you to know

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

Selene’s tone is one of satisfaction. Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get

but giggle at her disdainful expression as she eyes the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you

lead the way back through the

warily as we walk, the empty box

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Paranoia and Secrets (V)

all that pain was about? And what did you

chuffs, twitching one ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were becoming.

frown. “Yeah, but becoming what, exactly?”

is firm as she pads across the

“Well, it’s not the best

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

my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through

even think about it

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and

in a sharp

her a perplexed look.

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

“What are you talking about? How