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 prompts.

lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her head sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find

toward the box.

a deep breath, I lift

amid a bed of soft fabric, is a ring.

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

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

both, Selene says,

At all

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

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

onto my finger. An odd tingle dances across my

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

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

to lead the way back through the

we walk, the empty box

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

are you going to explain what all that pain was about?

one ear in irritation. It means precisely what

but becoming what,

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

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

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

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

it Selene’s voice cuts

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

a sharp

blink, shooting her a perplexed look. “Think

flatly. Unless you want the attention it will bring.

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