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

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

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift the

bed of soft fabric, is a ring. But not

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Paranoia and

vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical

need to wear them both, Selene says,

my thoughts. At

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

shakes her head. It’s not yet time for you to

but I obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle

of satisfaction. Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this filth out of my fur.

her paws. “Whatever you say, princess.

Selene turns and begins to lead the way back through

Selene warily as we walk, the empty box

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and

explain what all that pain was about?

It means precisely what

“Yeah, but becoming what, exactly?”

tone is firm as she pads across

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

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

There’s a lightness to my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy

think about it Selene’s voice cuts through

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Paranoia and

thoughts in a sharp

perplexed look. “Think about

replies flatly. Unless you want the attention it will

are you talking about? How