Page 12 of The Female

I expected him to buy the first one that came on stage.

Gray’s always been vocal in his desire for a female companion, and I’m sure he would’ve gotten one long ago if Aziel hadn’t been so stubborn.

The girl on the stage is sold, and almost immediately she’s ushered out of the room and is replaced with another. This one’s shorter with thick hips and red hair, and she looks almost entirely human.

Her body convulses as she sobs, and I hold back a wince as her fate filters through my mind. She’s not going to live a happy life, and the group of ogres who buy her this evening will ensure that.

Aziel turns to me as I view her fate, his expression alone giving away that he’s in my head.

Raising a brow, I return his stare until he exits my mind. He knows better than to enter the mind of a fate. Being the king of Wrath isn’t enough to prevent him from getting lost in my head, and the last thing I want is to waste my time searching for him.

Gray continues to stare at Aziel, and I hold back a smile as the older man finally snaps. He moves quickly, grabbing Gray’s chin and directing it toward the stage. Gray’s smirk doesn’t go unnoticed, but I don’t want to get involved.

He loves riling Aziel up, especially when it results in Aziel touching him. The incubus loves attention, and he seems to think all touch is good touch.

Cheers so loud that we can hear them through the thick walls of our private viewing room capture my attention as a horde of ogres purchases the girl on stage. I feel pity as I watch tears bubble up and spill over her cheeks, her body visibly shaking as she’s ushered out of the room.

“Fuck this,” Aziel snaps, losing his patience with Gray.

He stands, his intentions to leave clear as Gray frantically grabs his arm and tries to pull him into his seat.

“Oh, come on! Is it so bad I want to pick a female all three of us enjoy?” Gray pleads, his eyes darting between Aziel and me.

I have no intention of using his female, but I don’t bother going through the effort of correcting him. Gray doesn’t listen even when I try, often pretending he can’t hear me or pointing out my arousal whenever the topic is brought up. He fails to understand that just because the thought of a woman underneath me is enticing doesn’t mean I ever plan to act on it.

I had my fill long before the female decline, and I’m not interested in forcing one to be with me now.

“I’m being kind by purchasing you a female, but I’m not going to waste my time if you’re going to sit around acting like a child,” Aziel sneers before jerking his head in my direction. “Good luck getting Silas to buy you one.”

Gray clenches his jaw and straightens his spine when he’s compared to a child. Calling him that was a low blow. Aziel knows the incubus is sensitive about our age difference.

Gray is rapidly approaching his second century, and while that may seem old for many of the weaker breeds with short lifespans, it’s nothing for a demon. Aziel is just about to hit his sixth, and even that is seen as young by some. Myself included.

Uninterested in Aziel and Gray’s arguing, I turn back to the stage just as another woman comes stumbling in. Her frightened expression matches the faces of all the others sold before her, but I know immediately she’s the one we’re taking.

My inability to see her fate and the pain I feel when I try is all the confirmation I need. Her future is intertwined with mine and, by extension, Aziel and Gray.

“All right, all right! I’m sorry,” Gray says, trying to diffuse the situation.

He’s pushed Aziel too far, though, and when it becomes clear Aziel isn’t going to relent, Gray gestures to the girl on the podium.

“I’ll take her,” he huffs.

He hasn’t even looked at her, but I doubt it matters. He’s an incubus, and he’ll find himself satisfied with anybody.

I scan the female, unhappy with her small and fearful posture. I miss the time when women stood with pride and confidence. That doesn’t exist anymore, and it’s hard to enjoy the company of a being that’s terrified of you.

I must admit I like her brown eyes and wild hair, though, both uncommon features among the demons but not too far off from our black hair and black eyes. I was worried Gray would pick a female with brighter looks, one with blonde hair and light eyes, but I feel it’s better to find one who will not stick out too much when beside us.

We draw enough attention, and the last thing I want is a fairy looking creature who attracts even more.

Aziel’s tense stance relaxes at Gray’s apology, his frown softening as he turns to evaluate the girl. His face gives away nothing, but Gray’s sly smile is enough for me to know he’s smelling something positive.

It seems I’m not the only one pleased by her appearance.

The female shuffles uncomfortably, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she stares into the crowd. Her pupils expand as her eyes attempt to adjust to the dark room, but I can tell she still can’t see by how she looks at nothing with purpose.

Clasping my hands, I tilt my head to the side as I try to determine her breed. Most females here are human hybrids, but I cannot figure out what she’s mixed with. I hope it’s something strong, but the fact that I’m unable to tell has me fearing it’s probably not.

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