Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Fouryearsago

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

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

***

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

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

Thencameherfirstperiod.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

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

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Hedidn''''''

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

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