Page 68 of The Female

“Ah, there he is.” Asmod laughs and grabs his wife’s arm before gesturing toward one of the sinful corners. His gaze slides back to us three, but it lingers on me. “Excuse us. Nicolette is quite excited to see her old friend.”

Aziel nods as I give the couple a weak smile, my clenched hands finally softening as the pair leave. I turn to see where they’re heading, my attention captured as I realize their target is Gray.

Red-hot anger flares inside me as I notice he’s standing eerily close to the sex. He wears a wide grin as he speaks to an admittedly quite beautiful woman. I can only see the side of her face from this angle, but it’s enough to ignite my insecurities.

She’s tall with black hair, two telltale signs she’s a demon, but she doesn’t hold the same unique glow the sex ones have. She must be from another kingdom. Maybe Wrath. Her red dress is form-fitting, and I scan her figure with a frown.

I sit up straighter and fix my posture, my eyes narrowing as Gray grabs her arm and pulls her farther into the darkened portion of the room. Is he going to have sex with her? It sure looks like it from here.

I understood he wasn’t going to spend any time with me tonight, but I didn’t realize he would be whoring himself out as well.

Aziel groans and pulls me onto his lap, his hands pinning my arms to my sides as he forces me on him. I try to fight, my body jerking to the side as I attempt to wiggle off his lap.

“Charlie, you need to calm the fuck down,” he says, his arms tightening painfully around me.

I cry as he grabs my chin, forcing me to look away from Gray. He continues to push out his power until I have no choice but to submit, my body slumping on top of his. Tears prick my eyes, the only reaction I can muster.

His voice is much quieter as he continues his scolding. “To stare so publicly is a claim. Now sit on my lap and stop fighting. Silas will take you home before dinner starts.”

I turn to Silas for help, but he’s too busy looking around and doesn’t notice what’s happening between Aziel and me. Eventually, he realizes I’m staring and gives me a quick nod before handing me a drink.

It seems he isn’t going to be any help.

My hand is visibly shaky as I grab the cup, my nerves at an all-time high as I take a sip. The alcohol is bitter, and I wince as it slides down my throat.

Both Silas and Aziel chuckle, Aziel’s heartier as he pries the drink from my hand and moves it out of my reach.

“We don’t need you getting drunk tonight, my love,” he shouts, drawing the attention of the nearby demons.

I shrivel into his chest and search for Gray. He’s nowhere to be seen, and my heart drops as I worry he’s still with that woman. What are they doing right now? I understand he can’t give me any attention tonight, but I don’t get why he can’t hang around Aziel and Silas.

My head continues to swim, the power in here suffocating and overwhelming my senses. Both Aziel and Silas are noticeably holding it back, but even they don’t keep it completely tucked away.

I bet it’s a pride thing.

Aziel adjusts and pushes me to my feet. His breath hits my ear as he begins to whisper.

“Let’s take a lap of the room. Try to keep your staring to a minimum,” he says, again supporting most of my weight.

Silas stands and hands me my drink.

“Take small sips,” he says.

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. The last thing I want tonight is to lose control.

Eventually I catch sight of Gray and, despite Aziel’s warning, I can’t stop peeking at Gray and the woman as I’m led around the room.

Not once does Gray look in my direction, his posture relaxed as he chats with her. There’s an excited glint in his eye that I foolishly convinced myself was only ever directed at me, and it hurts to see. I severely misjudged our relationship.

That’s a mistake I won’t make again.

Gray leans back in his chair as she laughs and gestures throughout the room. His smile grows as she places a hand on his thigh and leans in to whisper something in his ear, her lips grazing his skin. I crane my neck and watch as he grabs her hips and pulls her onto his lap. She straddles him with ease, her pelvis rolling against his as she brings her lips to his neck.

All he’s ever cared about is getting fed.

Gray looks at me as he wraps his arms around the woman, his expression conveying an emotion I don’t understand as his eyes slide to Aziel. A second later, he’s standing, his abrupt action causing the woman on his lap to flail and grab his bicep for balance.

Aziel sighs before taking hold of my arm and yanking me to the side so Gray’s no longer in my line of sight. I wince at the sudden tug on my shoulder and stumble into his chest as I lose my footing.

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