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

a grunt, I manage 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, but she merely inclines her head sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on

toward the box.

breath, I lift the

fabric, is a ring. But not just any ring–the centerpiece is

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and

It’s almost identical to

them both,

thoughts. At all times.

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

not yet time for you to know that.

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

get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get all

mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you

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

eye Selene warily as we walk, the empty box

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and Secrets

are you going to explain what all that pain

chuffs, twitching one ear in irritation. It means precisely what

but becoming

everyone involved. Selene’s tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward the park trail.

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

back toward the main path. It’s

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

about it Selene’s voice cuts

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Paranoia and Secrets

a

a perplexed

replies flatly. Unless you want the attention it

about? How would me running