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

Thencameherfirstperiod.

***

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

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

Hedidn''''''

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

Fouryearsago

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

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

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

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

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