"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

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

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

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

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

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

***

Fouryearsago

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

"Takingyousomewherefun."

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Hedidn''''''

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Thencameherfirstperiod.

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

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

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.