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

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

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

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

Fouryearsago

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

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

Thencameherfirstperiod.

***

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

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

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

Hedidn''''''

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.