Page 11 of The Female

She keeps her face toward the ground as she exits, and the door slams shut behind them. There’s a strained undercurrent of emotion flowing through the room as we are again enveloped in silence.

I look at the women I’ve come to know these past few weeks, my mind replaying every fact and tidbit of information they’ve shared with me. I’d go as far as to say that some of them have become friends, and it hurts to know I’ll never see them again.

They’re going to be sold and used for the remainder of their lives. Just like me.

Anthony returns a few minutes later with a noticeable pep in his step. Despite his attempts to keep it hidden, it’s impossible not to notice how he straightens his spine and fights back a smile.

I resist the urge to lunge at him as he glances at his clipboard and calls another name.

As before, all eyes turn to the poor woman in question, everybody watching as she stands and leaves with him.

This continues over and over, the man returning every few minutes to escort another woman to the auditorium. At some point, he stops trying to hide his excitement, the wide grin on his face making me want to vomit.

We must be selling at a price he’s quite satisfied with. Yay for him.

“Charlotte Myers.”

All eyes turn to me.

I want to be angry about the lack of privacy I’m given in this scary moment, but I don’t hold any resentment.

Sucking in a slow breath, I urge my legs not to fail as I stand and follow him out of the room. The corridor is empty and free of guards, and my bare feet patter loudly against the cold floor.

Anthony leads me toward the auditorium door, and I hold back tears as we approach.

I wonder what it will look like in there. Will it resemble the torture chamber I fear or a regular room? Will it hold tens, hundreds, or thousands of bloodthirsty men?

My questions are answered as Anthony opens the door and ushers me inside. The room is pitch black, with one singular spotlight shining on a small stage. There are miniature glowing lights along the floor that lead to the spotlight, and I follow it, knowing it’s expected for me to stand underneath it.

I don’t love that the darkness of the room prevents me from seeing, and I especially don’t like that by standing under the light, I am only further blinded.

I can feel eyes on me as I climb the few steps to the platform. Shame warms my face as the men look at my naked flesh, murmurs breaking out throughout the room. I wonder if they can see the tears streaming down my cheeks and dripping onto my collarbones.

If they do, I doubt they care. This is fun for them, the worst day of my life considered the opportunity of a lifetime for them.

4

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SILAS

GRAY LEANS FORWARDwith a huff, resting his elbows on his knees as another girl walks on stage. His black eyes casually scan over her, and he shoves a piece of his dark wavy hair out of his face so he can better see. I look around the room, bored, before turning back to Gray just as he shifts and slides his focus to Aziel.

Aziel pretends not to notice, but I see the way his hands clench into tight fists by his sides. He ignores Gray as he rolls his shirt up his forearms and leans back in his chair.

I’m glad I chose to sit behind them instead of in the open chair on Gray’s right, and I watch them for a second longer before looking at the girl on the stage again.

Her hair’s so long it touches her hips, and she hides behind it as she covers her narrow chest and midsection with her arms. She’s too tall to be a full human, and I spot two sharp fangs when she opens her mouth.

Gray’s nostrils flare as he tries to smell for any excitement or arousal seeping off Aziel.

We both know he won’t find any, and I’m honestly not sure why he keeps searching. Aziel may be leading this current endeavor, but his decision to purchase a female is solely for Gray’s benefit and we all know it.

After Gray went into one of his rare incubus feeding frenzies, attacking us in our sleep, Aziel gave in and agreed to purchase him a female. He claims it’s to keep Gray out of our dreams, but I’m sure he was going to do it regardless.

Despite his callous attitude, he has a soft spot for Gray and is not very good about hiding it.

Aziel shifts and pivots away from Gray, avoiding acknowledging the man’s intense stare. I can tell he’s growing frustrated with the younger man’s actions, neither of us having anticipated Gray taking so long to pick a female.

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