Page 36 of The Female

Oh.

I gulp, shocked to see so many floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Inching closer, I lean inside and peek down the first aisle. The shelves appear to run around the entire perimeter of the room, and four rows run down the center.

I’m careful not to touch anything as I enter and explore the first aisle on the left, my eyes darting along the spines of the books. There must be thousands in here, and each one looks incredibly old.

Most are written in a language I’ve never seen before, probably the native tongue of the demons. Almost all places have switched to using the universal language these past hundred or so years, but I’m not surprised my ‘owners’ haven’t gotten the memo.

They probably think they’re too good to read in anything other than the demon language.

Even if they speak the universal one.

Careful to keep quiet, I round the first aisle and make my way down the second before repeating the process with the shelves on the right side of the room.

It takes everything in me not to reach out and touch the spines of the books. I’ve always been a big fan of reading, but the only material my parents ever provided were old paperbacks with covers that had worn off long before they’d come into my possession.

These beauties look priceless, most hardcover and detailed with intricate designs. I wonder how they’d feel in my hands and if they’re as heavy as they look.

I round the last shelf and come to an abrupt halt as I notice the large form in the farthest corner of the room. Gulping, I lower my chin and look at the demon, my mouth running dry at the sight of Silas watching me from an oversized leather chair.

He doesn’t look angry, which I take as a good sign, and he sets his book down as I give him my full attention. I hope he can’t hear my heart racing as I internally panic at having been caught snooping.

Is he going to punish me for entering this room? Will he have Gray do it for him?

“Are you looking for anything specific?” he asks.

I shake my head and shift uncomfortably.

Silas quirks a brow before letting out a low hum. I shouldn’t have gone exploring before checking to see if somebody was in here first. It was careless, and I know better than that.

At least it’s not Aziel or Gray I’ve stumbled upon.

Silas is holding back his power, as he was yesterday during dinner, which I take as another good sign. It makes it much easier to be around him. My cheeks warm at the thought of him keeping it away for my comfort, but I quickly push that idea to the back of my mind.

I’m reading into this way more than I should be.

Silas clears his throat. “Do you like to read?”

I nod. “Yes, I enjoy it.” The audible shake in my voice makes me wince.

Silas politely ignores my obvious nervousness as he sets his book on the small table to his left. My clammy hands clench into fists as he gestures for me to sit in the empty chair opposite his. I hesitate before stepping forward and lowering myself into the seat.

There’s also a small couch tucked away in the reading corner, but it’s closer to Silas and I want to keep my distance.

“What language do you read?” he asks.

My face reddens, embarrassment making me flush.

“I speak and understand the universal language, but I only know how to read human,” I state, avoiding eye contact.

Silas frowns and shifts in his seat. I watch as he crosses his right ankle over his thigh, creating a triangle with his legs. “I was under the impression most people in the human realm were taught universal. You speak it well.”

I shrug, lowering my gaze to my lap. My fingers pick anxiously at the hem of my oversized pajama shirt, and with an internal scream, I realize I just so happen to be wearing the one belonging to him. Thankfully, he hasn’t seemed to notice, and if he has, he’s been kind enough not to comment on it.

“I didn’t have the opportunity for a formal education, and the only learning books my parents could find for me were ones written in human,” I explain, shrugging.

“Would you like to learn? I’m sure Gray would be more than happy to hire you a tutor.”

I open my mouth to decline before snapping my jaw shut with a click. It would be nice to get an education, and it’ll give me something to do during the day.

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