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

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

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

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

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

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

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

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

Thencameherfirstperiod.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

***

Fouryearsago

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Hedidn''''''

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.