Page 118 of The Female

My voice cracks, but I manage to keep my eyes dry and tone level despite my heightened emotions.

Aziel rolls his eyes, his clear disrespect and disinterest in how his decisions have affected mine and millions of other females’ lives making me blind with rage. Before I can think better of it, I grab the paperweight from Gray’s desk and chuck it at him.

He steps to the side and watches it sail past his head. My chest heaves as adrenaline rushes through me, my body gearing up for a fight. I shouldn’t have done that.

Aziel picks up the paperweight as Gray moves to grab me. I skirt away from him and shove at his chest when he gets too close. Gray frowns at my rejection, his lust slipping out before he collects himself and reels it back in.

I ignore the involuntary clenching of my sex as the pheromones reach my nose.

“I’m disappointed in all of you,” I say. “Which should be surprising, considering how low my expectations were in the first place.”

“Charlie,” Gray pleads as I grab the doorknob.

I pretend I don’t hear him as I turn the handle and rip open the door.

“Go fuck yourself,” I add for good measure, wanting to make sure he knows where he currently stands.

The room goes silent as I curse at Gray. I know I’ll have to talk to them eventually and probably face punishment for throwing a weight at Aziel’s head, but I can’t bring myself to think about that.

I storm out of the room.

They casually sat by and watched as the female numbers dwindled. It never occurred to them to share the information even as they saw us subjected to harsher and harsher treatment. Males have grown feral with desperation, and they sat back and let it happen while Wrath flourished.

I’ve realized their age has made them jaded and callous on specific subjects, especially death, but what they’ve done here is beyond that. It’s monstrous.

They are monstrous.

I can hear Gray following me, but I ignore him. He comes to a halt as I approach my bedroom, and he thankfully doesn’t try to enter as I step inside and slam the door shut.

I didn’t think to grab anything to entertain myself with, and I regret not taking the female report and translator with me.

Figuring I’ll grab those later, I throw myself onto the bed and crawl underneath the covers. My clothing feels uncomfortable and itchy, but I don’t bother removing it. Hiding beneath the sheets, I curl into a tight ball and try to recall all the information I read.

Even if the demons do decide to help, the damage is irreversible. Many will be able to recover, but most won’t. My kind included.

My head aches, and I wipe angrily at my cheeks as I focus on the sound of Gray moving around in his room.

I thought I loved him, but how can I love somebody who hurt so many people? It says a lot about who he is, and that person is not one I want to associate myself with. Behind his pleading eyes and soft gestures is a man who has no problem with mass genocide.

I’m not sure how long I spend in my room, but eventually, I hear a light tapping at my door. There’s a quiet squeak as it’s pushed open and something is set on my floor. I wait until the latch clicks shut before climbing out from underneath the covers and looking to see what’s been left.

I frown, angry at Gray’s thoughtfulness when I’m mad. He’s left a plate full of sugary snacks and treats, and I shove a brownie down my throat before repeating the action with a chocolate chip cookie.

Fuck him.

“Charlie?” Gray’s voice travels from the other side of the door.

Has he been standing outside waiting for me to get out of bed?

“I know I fucked up. Will you please speak to me?” he begs.

I set the plate on the dresser and crawl back into bed without responding. He says my name a few more times before seemingly giving up and going away. I stare at the ceiling and count the tiles, feeling eerily similar to how I did my first day here.

29

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CHARLOTTE

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