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 ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

toward the box.

I lift the lid.

soft fabric, is a ring.

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

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

to wear them both,

my thoughts. At all

frown, gingerly lifting the ring from its resting place. “But why? What’s

time for you to know that. For

slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances

Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for

clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a grooming appointment first thing in

way back through the trees, leaving me

warily as we

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Paranoia and Secrets (V)

what all that

ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were

but becoming what,

being cryptic is the best thing for everyone involved. Selene’s tone is firm

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

leaving me to stew in silence as we retrace our steps back toward the main path. It’s only when we reach the trailhead that I realize something

renewed energy thrumming

think about it Selene’s voice cuts through

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Ava: Paranoia and

in a sharp

her a perplexed look.

Unless you want

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