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

affair, unremarkable save for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a

toward the box.

deep breath, I

soft fabric, is a ring.

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and

vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to the one I currently have in my

wear them both, Selene says, as if

At all times.

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

for you to know

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

have to groom myself for

the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to

a huff, Selene turns and begins to lead the way back through the trees, leaving me to hurry after

Selene warily as we walk, the empty box tucked

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going to explain what all that pain was about?

twitching one ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said.

but becoming what, exactly?”

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

leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best thing for me. I’m so confused

our steps back toward the main path. It’s

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

about it Selene’s

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thoughts in a

blink, shooting her a perplexed

Unless you want

echo, baffled. “What are you talking about? How would me running bring