Page 45 of The Female

Aziel scoffs. I don’t know what else he’s expecting from me. I’ve made my desire to live in peace with the female clear, and it was foolish for him to think I’d back him up on this.

What he said was cruel, and I won’t defend it.

As much as he wants to push Charlie away, I know he’s unwilling to risk losing Gray over it. Besides me, the incubus is the only person who can stand to be around him. Everybody is either too terrified of him or desperate to please him to be genuine in their words and actions.

He needs us, which means he needs to stay on Charlie’s good side.

“Leave Charlie alone,” Gray threatens, returning his attention to Aziel.

Aziel shrugs, unfazed. “She isn’t doing her job. If she’s unable to fulfill your needs, I’ll take her back and purchase you a new one.”

My back stiffens as Gray lunges. I grab my thighs to keep myself from intervening, my muscles taut. What the fuck is Gray doing? He’s never been one for fighting, but to attack Aziel is pure stupidity. Aziel can’t stop himself once he gets going, his wrath taking over until he’s torn apart every person who stands in his way.

I’m sure the bond protects Gray from death, but that doesn’t mean Aziel will be able to stop himself from causing harm.

I scan Aziel as he pins Gray to the desk, checking for any signs his wrath is emerging. Gray flails, his sad attempts at hurting Aziel unsuccessful. Gray tends to stray from the incubi ideals on several fronts, but the need to please and keep the peace are ones he still thrives on.

It’s hard to feed when the people you’re trying to seduce are filled with anger and hatred.

Aziel wraps his hand around Gray’s throat, his arm stiff and unmoving despite Gray’s powerful punches to his face and chest.

I continue to monitor as Gray spits insults at Aziel, but I jump to my feet when Aziel looks to me for help. Rushing forward, I shove him away and take over holding Gray down.

Gray’s fist makes painful contact with my chin as he blindly continues to attack, his knuckles smashing into the bone and breaking it. I grunt, my fingers digging into his throat until he’s struggling to breathe. That hurt.

Aziel moves to the far wall and works to calm himself down, his shoulders shaking at the effort.

Maybe itwouldbe best if we got Gray a new female. Charlie’s creating quite a rift between these two men, and it’d be best to get somebody only Gray likes. Aziel’s attraction is making things too complicated.

The fates say she’s to stay with us, but maybe they’re wrong.

“Let go of me, Silas.” Gray chokes, clawing at my hand.

I take a moment to evaluate him, checking to make sure he’s not going to attack the second I release him, before letting go. My hand lingers in the air as I step back, and I’m careful to remain close in case he decides to launch himself at Aziel again.

He doesn’t, and instead, he stands and throws himself into the chair I was occupying only moments before.

“Are you two done?” I ask.

Both hesitate before nodding.

Rubbing my jaw, I prod at the fractured bone with a huff. The bastard got me good. This one’s going to take a while to heal.

Aziel gives Gray a wide berth as he walks around us and sits behind his desk. He avoids looking in Gray’s direction, but the incubus glares daggers at him each step of the way.

“You,” I say, pointing to Aziel, “are going to leave Charlie alone.”

His jaw clenches before he gives a jerky nod. Gray smirks, but his haughty expression falls as I turn toward him.

“Youneed to stop instigating and messing with Aziel. If you get hungry, spend the night with Shay. I’m sure she’ll be happy to feed you.”

Gray looks like he wants to argue, but he’s smart enough to shut his mouth and nod. Shay’s one of his favorite females to feed from, and I’m sure Charlie won’t be too upset if he visits her. Besides, if she doesn’t want Gray seeking nourishment elsewhere, she can give herself to him.

“If you two start this shit up again,” I add, “I’ll be returning the female and buying a new one of my choosing.”

Gray immediately begins to argue, not realizing I’m saying this only to keep Aziel in line. As much as the Wrath tries to hide it, it’s clear he’s harboring some emotion toward Charlie. Aziel feels comfortable threatening to get rid of her because he knows he won’t follow through, but that assurance is not a guarantee with me.

He’ll leave Gray and Charlie alone because deep down, for some reason I don’t understand, he likes her.

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