Page 42 of The Female

Gray spins, his attention zeroed in on my face as I step into my room and look around. I freeze, every muscle in my body growing tense when I spot the trinkets on my dresser. My eyes grow damp when I look up and notice the photo frames hung on the wall above it.

How did Gray get these?

“I brought all your things here,” Gray proudly says. “You’re a bit of a packrat.”

I snort, the reaction unintentional. Dad loved to call me the same thing, and he usually followed his insult by demanding I clean my room.

My smile falls.

Turning, I look back at the family photos Gray hung up. Dad’s smiling in all of them, and I walk closer so I can better see my favorite one. It was taken a few years ago, and I look over the thin lines on his forehead before sliding to where his arms wrap around Mom and me.

He was so scared to have these photos taken, worried they’d fall into the wrong hands and expose my existence. It took my mother and me months to convince him we’d keep them safely tucked away from prying eyes.

I never thought I’d get the opportunity to see them again. Or any of my things, for that matter.

Gray’s footsteps are quiet as he walks over, and I listen as he comes to a halt directly behind me. He remains silent as he watches me examine the photos.

“My parents?” I ask.

A pained sigh reaches my ears before hands are placed on my shoulders.

“I don’t know about your mother, but your father…” Gray pauses and tucks another piece of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger, stroking my ear before he returns his hand to my shoulder. “He’s been buried in the human tradition.”

My bottom lip quivers. I’ve known deep down that my father has been dead this entire time. His body was so still, and the blood below him was too great to result from a minor injury.

“Did you bury him?”

The Seekers would never have taken the time to do so. God forbid they show any respect toward the lives they steal.

It’s possible one of Dad’s co-workers stopped by to say goodbye, but I doubt they’d care enough to bury him. If anything, they were probably enraged after learning he had been hiding a female for the past twenty-five years.

Gray clears his throat.

“I did.”

I remain silent, too lost in thought to respond.

“Does that make you upset? I didn’t think you’d want him left in the house,” he continues. “He’s buried in the garden.” Gray rubs gentle circles into the bruised skin on my shoulders.

I mindlessly nod. Dad loved his garden. Without thinking, I turn and throw my arms around Gray’s waist.

He returns the hug immediately, squeezing me tightly against his bare chest. I remind myself not to get distracted by the feeling of his hard flesh pressing against my cheek or the lingering lust from my attempts to seduce him earlier.

Gray kisses the top of my head.

“I’m not the bad guy you think me to be.”

I squeeze, unsure how I feel about him. I don’t believe he’s as kind and genuine as he wants me to think, but I’m willing to admit he might not be as bad as I initially thought.

It’s evident he’s making a genuine attempt to give me a better life than most females are granted. If it weren’t for Aziel’s threats, I imagine I could potentially find myself happy here.

Gray gives me another tight squeeze before nudging me toward my bed. My pulse races as the backs of my thighs make contact with the mattress. Is he going to take me now? I know it needs to happen, but I’d like time to decompress before getting into action.

“Relax, Charlie,” Gray says, urging me to sit. “I’m going to go talk to Aziel. You can stay up here for as long as you want, and I’ll return in a bit to check on you.”

What’s he going to talk to Aziel about? I hope not me.

Gray looks me over with a sad expression before turning and leaving. I stare at my door for a long while, waiting patiently for him to return and tell me this is all some elaborate trick and I’m a fool for falling for it.

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