Page 99 of The Female

Cold.

My movements are jerky as I angrily crawl out from underneath the sheets and head to the door. He promised he wouldn’t say anything to Silas about what happened tonight, and I should’ve known better than to trust him to drop it.

I’m humiliated enough, and I don’t need him making it worse by trying to defend my honor. I knew better than to launch myself at Silas so desperately, and I can’t believe I let my momentary excitement over the female news cloud my judgment.

At least Silas was kind in his rejection.

His words were hard to hear, but he’s entitled to his opinion. I understand why he wouldn’t want to date a purchased female who’s not even a tenth of his age.

I wouldn’t be interested, either, if I were in his position.

My pulse races as I sneak downstairs, and my bare feet patter quietly against the floor as I walk. The house is a bit scary when it’s dark, and I wrap my arms around myself as I navigate the hallways I’ve grown familiar with these past few weeks.

I wonder if I can convince Gray to get some nightlights.

It sounds like the shouting is coming from Aziel’s office, and I tiptoe closer as somebody lets out a frustrated shout.

“You’re out of your goddamn mind, and I’m not going to fucking do it,” Gray snaps.

His voice is laced with more anger than I’ve ever heard from him before, the sound of it startling. Gray’s quick to worry and be frustrated, but he rarely grows genuinely angry.

There’s murmuring I can’t quite make out as I continue my slow approach, but the voice is unmistakably Aziel’s. My hands grow clammy at the knowledge that he’s back, but I push away my fear as I peer through the crack in the door.

“I don’t care. It’s not going to happen!” Gray scoffs.

My eyes widen as I take in the sight in front of me, my thoughts racing a million miles a minute. What have I missed?

Gray stands shirtless in the center of the room, his back turned toward me as he stares at Aziel’s desk. His body’s blocking the view of the older demon, but I don’t care much to see Aziel anyway and shift my attention to Silas.

I have to do a double take. Silas is already looking at me, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His entire face and neck are covered in smeared blood, and he wipes away a tiny droplet that drips out of his nose before pushing a strand of hair out of his eye.

What happened to him?

I can’t help but note he’s also shirtless and has a large bloody handprint on his side. Maybe he was the one who went and got Aziel, causing the Wrath to attack. I wouldn’t be surprised. Aziel has a concerning tendency to resort to violence.

“You can come in,” Silas says, his voice cutting through the arguing between Gray and Aziel.

The room goes dead silent as Gray turns toward me. His face softens, and he opens his arms in a gesture for me to come to him. I gulp, my hand shaking as I push open the door and step inside.

The power in the room is overwhelming, but I do the trick Aziel taught me at the Lust party and breathe in slowly through my nose. It helps slightly and is just enough to keep me from hunching.

Gray wraps his arms around my waist and presses his chest against my back before spinning so we’re facing Aziel.

I stiffen the second my eyes land on him.

He sits behind his desk with a wide grin, but it’s hard to notice behind all the blood that coats his skin. I have only a second to worry about the stain it will leave on the furniture before sliding my attention to the familiar woman on his lap.

I suck in my cheeks to hide the explosive anger that erupts from me. Of all the women to bring here, he chooses Shay?

She smirks and waves as I struggle to wrap my brain around what’s happening. I was under the impression Aziel didn’t like her, but I suppose I was wrong in that assumption.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Gray scoffs and glues himself to my back. I remain stiff even as he squeezes me.

“I agree with Gray. I’m not doing this,” Silas says, ignoring my earlier question.

I look to Gray for answers. He refuses to make eye contact, and I scowl before turning back to Aziel. Are they seriously going to ignore me?

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