Page 70 of The Female

I watch the bartender as I get lost in thought, amazed at how quickly he serves his intricate concoctions. He hardly even seems affected as over a dozen demons stand around placing orders, his focus never wavering from the task at hand.

And to think I felt so fancy when making my parents a simple mojito.

The bartender smiles as he slides two glasses across the counter. I follow them, my throat drying as I realize he’s serving Gray and his new female. I lock eyes with the woman before dropping my head toward the table. I didn’t even realize I was unintentionally watching them, my focus on the bartender.

Silas pulls me out of my chair before I have the chance to react. I gasp, struggling to get my bearings as I’m pressed against his chest. What’s going on?

“Fuck off, Shay,” Silas spits, his tone taking on a venomous edge I’ve never heard him use.

I blink and curl into him as I realize the woman Gray’s been with all night is barreling her way toward us. I open my mouth to explain I didn’t mean to stare, but the murderous expression on her face renders me silent.

It’d probably be best to let Silas do the talking.

“I want to know why this fucking”—Shay’s gaze narrows on me—“humankeeps looking at Gray.” Her sneer turns into a sickly-sweet smile, but I can tell it’s not genuine. “If you want him, baby, all you need to do is ask.”

“She’s looking at Gray because she’s nosy and we all live together,” Silas says. “You know she belongs to Aziel.”

Gray approaches, his face blank as he wraps his arm around Shay. The bulging of his biceps tells me he’s using considerable force to keep her held back, though.

“Stop being so jealous, babe.” Gray laughs, smiling as her cheeks redden in anger. “I don’t want her.”

I try not to wince as his words cut through me, but I’m sure my pained expression gives away the emotions I wish to remain hidden.

I’ve never had to hide my emotions before. My parents were always eager to know how I felt and wanted to hear my frustrations whenever they arose. I don’t know how to hold back tears or keep my face expressionless as the demons before me do.

Asmod and Nicolette approach on my left, the pair pushing their way through the ever-growing crowd until they’re directly in front of Silas and me.

“Where’s Aziel?” Asmod asks. “You think he’d be eager to come to the defense of his female.”

Aziel was standing against the wall the last time I saw him, but now that space is empty. I’m willing to bet this was his plan all along. He’s probably hiding in a corner watching this all go down, the man happy to finally be rid of me without having to take the blame.

It’s not his fault I looked at Gray and attracted attention to myself.

Silas pulls me to the side, his actions too quick for me to follow as I’m abruptly yanked away from a lunging incubus. The man’s fingertips graze my arm before my face is smashed into Silas’s chest. I turn just in time to see the incubus who attacked fall into the forming crowd of demons, his body making painful contact with the ground before he’s back on his feet.

He turns and looks between Silas and me, sizing us up.

Silas wraps his arms around my torso, holding me tightly and preventing me from moving. Not that I’d want to. I’m not dumb. I’m no match for these demons, and I’ll do well to stick close to and follow the instruction of the only one who seems willing to protect me.

“I’d refrain from trying that again. You don’t want to bring out Aziel’s wrath, do you?” Silas tuts.

The intoxicating scent of the nearby incubi reaches my nose with my next inhale. It’s stronger than Gray’s, and I feel my muscles stiffen before melting, my body paralyzed by their lust.

It’s so good.

I hardly care if they can smell my arousal, and I try to wrestle out of Silas’s arms in a fit of desperation.

I want them.

“This is always my favorite part,” Nicolette laughs.

I don’t listen as I continue struggling against Silas, my arms pushing against his as I try to break free and seek out the incubi. Silas shoves me to the side before twisting and landing a punch on another lunging incubus. Blood spews out of the man’s nose and lands on my hands, but I ignore it.

I need them.

16

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