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

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, but she merely inclines her

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift the

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

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in a deep, vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to the one I currently have in my pocket.

need to wear them both, Selene says, as

my thoughts. At

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

to know that.

finger. An odd tingle dances across

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

mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll

Selene turns and begins to lead the way back through the trees,

Selene warily as we walk, the empty

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going to explain what all that pain was about? And what did you mean by

one ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were

“Yeah, but becoming

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

catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best thing for me.

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

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 me feeling

even think about it Selene’s

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in a sharp warning.

a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

you want the attention it will

are you talking about? How would me