Page 47 of The Female

I shrug, not having any strong opinions. I think she could be a fun addition to our home if she learns to accept Gray. She seems to have the potential to be intelligent, which is always a positive.

A small part of me thinks she’s fun to look at as well. I have no interest in intimacy with an owned female, but I can’t deny that I find her attractive.

I’ll enjoy listening to her feed Gray.

It might be the first time I overhear him and don’t want to scrub my ears out afterward.

“I like her,” I eventually say. “She’ll make a good addition to our home.”

Gray laughs, agreeing.

“You want to fuck her.”

I pretend his statement was a question and hum as I think it over. What he says may be true, but that’s none of his business.

“Not really. I prefer my females with black eyes,” I respond, knowing he’s already well-acquainted with my preferences.

I’ve never strayed far from my race, and I don’t have much interest in doing so. Demon women are strong and able to give me what I want. Charlie could never take me the way I need.

11

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CHARLOTTE

SWEAT BEADS ALONGmy upper lip as I wedge my spade into the ground and pull up a chunk of hard dirt. I dump it onto the grass next to my left thigh as I admire my newly created hole. Complete boredom has begun to sink in, and in a last-ditch attempt to fill my days, I asked Gray to let me plant some seeds in the back yard below the library window.

He was more than happy with my request, claiming I can do whatever I want, before waggling his eyebrows and asking if there was anything else I’d like to do.

That question was met with a firm no.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead with a huff before grabbing a few seeds from the packet I found in my room. Gray brought it over with my stuff, mistaking my dad’s seeds as my own. Sprinkling a few into my hole, I ensure they’re spread out evenly before covering them.

My parents made gardening look so easy, but now that I’m the one doing it, I realize just how tedious it is.

Especially within the sweltering heat of the Wrath kingdom.

Silas is in the library, and I peek at him through the windows. He looks up, as if sensing my gaze, and he raises an eyebrow when he notices I’m spying on him.

I perk up, offering him a wide grin and a small wave. The corner of his lip twitches before he dips his head in greeting. Both he and Gray have taken it upon themselves to be extra kind to me after my run-in with Aziel, offering small assurances that their counterpart will not mess with me anymore.

I’m not sure whether or not I believe them, but I figure I won’t know for sure until Aziel returns from the pits. They briefly explained that the pits are some sort of fighting ring, and they promised he’ll be much calmer after returning.

I hope they’re right.

The fact he had to go to a fighting pit to release his anger is reason enough for me to be scared of him.

I honestly wish he’d stay away forever. The house is much livelier with him gone, and I’m growing to love my exploration of the place now that I don’t have to worry about Aziel popping around a corner and hurting me.

“Spying on Silas?” Gray asks, startling me.

I turn toward him with a gasp and place a hand over my chest as he approaches. He chuckles as he comes to a crouch on my right, and I feel my cheeks turn red when he glances at Silas through the window.

Gulping, I will the flushing of my cheeks to go away as I return to my seeds. Gray’s been so busy these past few days that I’ve hardly had a chance to speak to him. Even when he’s in the same room as me, he’s too busy to pay me any mind. I want to ask what he’s doing, but I haven’t found the courage.

I thought I’d like the alone time, but I’m beginning to get lonely.

My desperation for intimacy has led to me almost offering him to enter my dreams again. I can see the effects of hunger on him, his cheeks sinking inward and undereye bags growing with each day.

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