"Something like that," she says lightly. "He was one of the ones that found me." Found her in a slave ring after she'd lashed out with powers she didn't know she'd had and killed someone. But not many people know that story.

"Oh, if you wanted pretty you should have asked Noriko. She's much more willing to show off for boys." She doesn't mind, really. Sooraya understands she and her roommate are very different people. "Don't be nervous. You make me comfortable, Kevin."