Victimso.1am;2:TeSilverRigadteCoolEarrig-1(2/4)

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

"Whatareyoudoing?"sheasked.

Asahomicidecaptain,Luhadgiventlesssafetylectures,yetitneveroccurredtohimtogiveooReya.

Fouryearsago

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

LuandMoxihadbeensofocusedonprovidingforReya''''''''smaterialhattheyhadfottentowarnheraboutthedangersoftheworld.

Atfirst,shethoughtshewasjustahumanwithpeculiarabilities.

Theywerehandsome,dressedinexpehes,polishedinmannersandfriendlysmiles.Booksalwayssaidvilinswereugly,whileprinceswerevishandcharming.

Shewasjusttoowell-behaved.Unshakableinthefaceoftrouble,alwaysfindingherownsolutions.Itmadehimpt.

Sowhewomenpulledoverandcalledouttoher,askingfordires,Reyafeltnoarm.

Thediscoverywasthrilling,thoughtheprocesswasfarfrompleasant.

***

Thencameherfirstperiod.

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

"Takingyousomewherefun."

Hedidn''''''

Thesilverringgleamedasthemansmirked.

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

Shewasnotjustanymonster.Shewasasuccubus.

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

Theifouryearsago,whenshewaseen,hadtaughtherthatwell.