Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Thencameherfirstperiod.

Fouryearsago

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Hedidn''''''

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

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

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

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

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

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

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

***

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