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?

Selene

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 and

toward the box.

breath, I lift the lid.

a bed of soft fabric, is a ring. But

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Ava: Paranoia and

identical to the

wear them both,

At

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

her head. It’s not yet time for you to know that. For now, you must

my finger.

let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to

expression as she eyes the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll

begins to lead the way back through the trees, leaving

warily as we walk, the

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

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

It means precisely what I said. You were becoming.

but becoming what, exactly?”

everyone involved. Selene’s tone is firm

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

back toward the main path. It’s

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 pains from earlier have

even think about it Selene’s voice cuts

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

a sharp warning.

a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

you want the attention it

about? How