Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

Thencameherfirstperiod.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

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

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

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

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Fouryearsago

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

***

Hedidn''''''

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

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

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

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

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