Tangled

Chapter 23

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.

shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her head

toward the box.

breath, I lift the lid.

a ring. But not just

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Paranoia and Secrets (V)

identical to the one I currently have

both, Selene says,

thoughts. At all

place. “But why?

you to know that. For now, you must simply trust me.

that’s ominous,” I mutter, but I obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin

I have to groom myself for days

her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book

way back through the

we walk, the empty

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

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

twitching one ear in irritation. It means precisely what

“Yeah, but becoming what,

for everyone involved. Selene’s tone is firm

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

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

about it Selene’s voice cuts

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Paranoia and

in a sharp warning.

shooting her a perplexed look. “Think

replies flatly. Unless you want

“What are you talking about?

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