Fouryearsago

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

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

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

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

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

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

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

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

***

Hedidn''''''

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Thencameherfirstperiod.