Page 66 of The Female

Fashion isn’t exactly at the top of the mind when your parents are the only people you ever interact with.

Gray’s grin is nothing short of infectious as he carries me out of bed and into his bedroom.

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Gray squeezes my hand as we walk downstairs to meet Aziel and Silas. No words are exchanged, but as he pulls me into his side, I know he’s more nervous than he lets on. I wish I knew if those nerves are caused by seeing his family or by seeing Aziel.

I bundle up and lift the fabric of my dress as we make our descent.

Sucking in my stomach, I allow Gray to lead the way. The emerald-green silk is admittedly incredibly comfortable, but it’s more form-fitting than anything I’d have ever chosen for myself.

Gray’s lusty gaze as he helped me into it made me feel slightly better about my figure. Still, no amount of admiration is going to make me feel completely confident about the soft lower belly that protrudes from the fabric.

“You look beautiful,” Gray whispers as we reach the bottom landing, his eyes trailing down my frame before settling on the high slit that runs up my leg. I wasn’t aware they could go as high as this one, and I’m anxiously mindful that one wrong move will expose my underwear.

Hiding behind the face-framing pieces of hair Gray left around my hairline, I will my cheeks to return to their natural color. Gray pulls me into the sitting room. Aziel and Silas are already waiting for us, and I avoid making eye contact with the Wrath.

They’re dressed in stuffy-looking suits, their ties matching the green of my dress. I’m surprised both decided to wear the formal, slim, matching tie. Gray said matching is a way to publicly claim a female, and I only expected Aziel to do so.

Turning to Gray, I frown as I take in his half-unbuttoned shirt. He could sense my emotions the moment he slipped on his jacket, and he promised he’d have coordinated with my outfit in a heartbeat if he could, but it didn’t make me feel better.

At least I’ll get a good view of his chest all night long.

I refuse to let my fear show as Aziel and Silas step forward.

“It seems I’ve missed a lot this past week,” Aziel says, holding his arm out for me to take.

Gray clears his throat and pulls me back before I accept it.

I stumble into his chest, more than a little surprised. Aziel rolls his eyes as Silas coughs to cover his laugh. What’s Gray doing?

Aziel glares at the incubus over my head, and a second later, his chest expands as he sucks in a deep breath.

“I promise to be on my best behavior tonight,” Aziel murmurs, his tone full of sarcasm.

Nobody moves, and Aziel looks like he’s about to murder somebody as he clears his throat and tilts his head back.

“I’m sorry,” he blurts out, staring at the ceiling.

I blink, shocked. He apologized and his throat didn’t catch on fire? Consider me surprised.

Gray nods and nudges me in Aziel’s direction. I gulp, my pulse racing as I accept his outstretched hand and let him pull me against his side.

I’m standing in the middle of a bustling room before I can register what’s happening, the blaring music almost as overwhelming as the hundreds of people milling about. I’m blown away by the lack of pain or discomfort that accompanied the teleportation, and I instinctively look around until I spot Gray and Silas appearing on the other side of the room.

Silas holds Gray’s arm but lets go almost immediately after they solidify. I wonder what that’s all about, but I won’t shame Gray by asking.

I’m willing to bet Silas brought them here, taking some of the pressure off the incubus. Gray turns and scans the room, his shoulders visibly relaxing when he spots me. My lips curl into a small smile, but Gray turns and walks away before I have the chance to do anything else.

I try not to show my disappointment as Silas locks eyes with Aziel and gestures to the bar. Gray told me the fate would be by my side all night.

Aziel grabs my waist when I release his arm, the sudden contact making me jolt. My jerky movement draws attention, and I try to make myself small as a few demons turn in my direction. I avoid making eye contact.

This is more than I anticipated. The room is cast in a dark, red glow, resembling more of a nightclub than anything else. Loud music beats all around me, seemingly having no source as it hits me from every angle.

My knees grow weak at the sheer amount of suffocating power within the room, but Aziel notices and gracefully supports most of my weight. I practically slump into his side as it consumes me, tears prickling in my eyes as my body is rendered immobile.

I avoid looking too closely at anybody as I scan the large, round dining tables and the bar along the far wall.

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