Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

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

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

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

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

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

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

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

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

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

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

***

Hedidn''''''

Thencameherfirstperiod.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Fouryearsago