Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

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

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

Hedidn''''''

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

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

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

***

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Thencameherfirstperiod.

Fouryearsago

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

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