Page 29 of The Female

He watches with a lazy smile as I throw myself onto the floor and scramble to my feet, my cheeks reddening in shame at how easily I fell into his lure. I remind myself that I hate him as he stands and gestures for me to follow.

“I’ll take you back to your room,” he says, still smiling. “I won’t be interrupting your sleep tonight.”

I don’t know whether or not to believe his promise as I follow him to his wing. While he doesn’t exactly seem the type to outwardly lie, that doesn’t mean he’s keen on speaking only the truth.

My bare feet patter quietly against the floor as I trail behind him, my thoughts rushing a million miles a minute as we reach my room and he steps to the side and gestures for me to enter. I turn to see if he plans to follow, but he offers only a wink before reaching in and shutting the door.

I stare at the wood before spinning to face my bed. My eyes widen as I take note of the large television on top of the dresser and the small pile of clothing sitting on the bed. When were these things added?

Holding my breath, I step forward to get a closer look at the clothes I’ve been given. The material is soft, and I realize they’re pajama bottoms when I unfold them. Glancing around to ensure nobody is inside the room lurking at me, I bring them to my nose and inhale.

This belongs to Silas, the earthy scent identical to his. My body tenses as I do the same with the next piece of clothing, surprised as I realize they’re Gray’s. The next item is again Silas’s, and the one after that is Aziel’s. Did somebody go through their rooms and steal all their soft pajamas? Was this done with their permission?

I hope so.

Shrugging, I figure they probably have enough clothing that they won’t even notice. Pulling off Gray’s shirt, I grab a pair of soft sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. I’m practically drowning in the fabric, but I can’t bring myself to care as I turn the television to a human news channel and crawl into bed.

I’m ready to wake up and realize this has all been some awful dream.

8

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GRAY

CHARLIE’S LIGHT SNORESmake their way to my ears as I peek into her room. She’s buried beneath layers of blankets, her entire body hidden except for a tuft of messy brown hair resting on her pillow.

She’s had a long day, and I’m glad she’s able to get some sleep.

Licking my lips, I’m also happy to see she’s making use of the TV I had the shadows bring in during dinner. The pamphlet I received from the auction house appears to have been accurate in its claims that humans enjoy watching it.

I’m not personally a huge fan, but I see the appeal.

A human news channel I’ve never seen before is on, and the men on the screen chat about some drama that holds no meaning.

Those males know nothing of what’s happening in our realms. They latch on to the tiny crumbs we give them, obsessing over arguments and restrictions that have no importance to us.

I rest my shoulder against the doorframe as I continue looking around Charlie’s room. It’s bare. Besides the few articles of clothing I managed to scrounge from our rooms, she has nothing.

That’s probably why she was so sad at dinner. It makes sense she’d be missing her family and belongings, and I hate that I didn’t think of supplying her with those comforts before bringing her here.

Silas would have remembered. The thought makes me angry, and my jealousy worsens as I remember how kindly he spoke to her when they were alone earlier. I should’ve been the one to explain those things.

I’m failing my female and she hasn’t even been here a full day.

Does she think I’m a lousy caretaker?

Incubi aren’t known for our paternal instincts, our interests typically revolving more around pleasure and desire. I’ve never had to care for a female before, and I hope this one will be patient while I learn.

Charlie lets out a particularly loud snort before rolling over, her face emerging from the blankets as she turns toward me. I admire her upturned nose and the light smattering of freckles across her cheeks before retreating into my bathroom and closing her bedroom door.

She locked them when she took her nap earlier, and I’m taking it as a good sign that she didn’t do it again. I’m unsure what changed her mind, but the optimistic side of me wants to believe it’s because she knows nobody here will hurt her.

She trusts me already.

I hold back a smile as I step up to the bathroom mirror and look at myself. My cheeks have filled back out since feeding off her, making me look better than I have in weeks. It’s shocking how much lust she was able to share with me through just her dreams.

The idea of eventually getting to feed off her in real life has me holding back a groan. She’s the perfect female, and I know Aziel and Silas will grow to appreciate her as well. It’s clear they’re both attracted to her, and despite their best attempts at hiding it, I could smell their arousal when I told them about Charlie’s dream.

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