Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

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

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

***

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Hedidn''''''

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

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

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

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

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

Fouryearsago

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

Thencameherfirstperiod.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.