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 prompts.

I manage to pry the box free from the earth. It’s a simple wooden affair, unremarkable 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 on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift the lid.

a ring. But not just

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Ava: Paranoia and

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

them both, Selene

thoughts. At all times.

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

to know that. For

but I obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances across my skin as

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

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

to lead the way back

eye Selene warily as we walk, the empty box

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and Secrets (V)

arm. “So, are you going to explain what all that pain was about?

It means precisely

frown. “Yeah, but becoming

Selene’s tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward the park trail.

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

silence as we retrace our steps back toward the main

body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed

even think about it Selene’s voice

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and Secrets

thoughts in a

a perplexed look. “Think about what?”

want the attention it will bring.

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