Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

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

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

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

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

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

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

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

Fouryearsago

Thencameherfirstperiod.

***

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

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

Hedidn''''''

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.