Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Fouryearsago

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

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

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

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Thencameherfirstperiod.

***

Hedidn''''''

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

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

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

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.