Themanwhoyankedherintothecarhadartist''''''''shands.Slenderfingersadorhastrangesilverring.Theycmpedaroundherdelicatewrists,dragginghereffortlesslyintothebackseatbeforeshecouldevenscream.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

vaimpressivelyfar,aelekinesishadlimits.Shecouldonlymovethingsthatheldnaturalenergy,likethetimeshemadeacrystalspleoffitsbluedispystandinashopwindow.Butacheapgssvase?Shecouldn''''''''tevewobble.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Themaninthedriver''''''''sseatstartedthedorderedSilverRing,"Don''''''''tlethertalk.Blindfoldher."

Thatwaswhensherealized—shewasn''''''''thuman.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Fouryearsago

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

Hedidn''''''

Shedidn''''''''tknowthatsometimes,uglinessfesteredinside—andthatitcouldhidebehiifulmask.

***

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Thencameherfirstperiod.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.