Page 94 of The Female

I frown, watching as my image in the mirror copies the action. I can’t hide in my office forever, and I have to pull up my big girl panties and leave at some point. I’m sure the smell of my arousal has dissipated by now, but I still worry Silas overheard Gray’s dirty words. It’s not like the incubus was trying to be quiet.

These men have impeccably good hearing and a startling lack of privacy.

With one final deep breath, I grab the books I borrowed from Silas and begin my journey to the library. I have to face him at some point, and I might as well get it over with now.

Maybe he’ll be feeling generous and let it slide.

Gray stares from behind his desk as I come shuffling out of my office, his dark eyes boring holes into mine as he watches my every movement. I bite my bottom lip before nodding in his direction, silently communicating that I’m okay.

The corner of his lip twitches upward and his tense posture softens as he returns the nod.

One down, one more to go.

I can’t decide whether or not I hope Silas is in the library as I head in that direction. Thirty minutes ago, I would’ve been glad to run into him and launch a thousand questions in his direction, but after what happened with Gray, I dread the moment we’re face to face.

The books I hold are surprisingly heavy as I shuffle down the hallway, and each step feels like an added weight in my arms. The demons should invest in thinner paper and lighter binding.

I’m on the verge of losing my grip as I bust through the doors. My eyes immediately land on Silas in a silent plea for help, and he’s in front of me in a flash taking the books from my arms.

“It wouldn’t have killed you to take two trips or ask one of us for help,” he teases.

He holds them with one arm like they’re feathers, and I frown. He could at least pretend they’re heavy for my sake. I shake out my limbs, my muscles feeling a bit like gelatin.

“I made it all the way here, didn’t I?” I retort.

“Barely.” He snorts and readjusts his grip. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

I clench my jaw. We both know the answer to that. I still can’t help but feel there’s something they’re hiding from me, and the more they keep it a secret, the more desperate I am to know what it is.

“I did not,” I say, my frustration audible. “Are you sure there isn’t anything you want to tell me?” I ask again, hoping he’ll take pity on me and share the truth.

Silas turns away instead of responding. I scowl, my irritation growing as he walks to the aisle where these specific books live. I try to be silent as I follow him, but my footsteps are loud despite my best attempts at stealth.

Maybe I should start going barefoot around this place. I feel like I could be really sneaky without the clunkiness of shoes.

Gray’s earlier words weasel their way into my head as I walk behind Silas, and for a brief moment, I wonder if I could seduce him into telling me the truth. Gray seems to think so.

Gray thinks that about everybody, though.

“I like your determination,” Silas admits as he comes to a halt at the end of the row.

I watch as he lifts the books and slides them into place. His gentleness with them is surprising, and I admire how calm he is compared to the other two demons.

Even when Gray tries to be soft, there’s an edge he can never quite seem to erase. It doesn’t feel nearly as threatening as it did when I was first bought, and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to figure out where it stems from. It would be nice to see Gray in a place where he can truly relax.

I’ll see if I can get him in the bath. Those are always calming for me, and I bet they’d help him, too.

“I like your temperament,” I tell Silas.

He looks surprised, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second before returning to his usual unaffected, collected self. My face flushes, unsure if I said something I shouldn’t have.

He shuts his eyes and tilts his head back as I lower my gaze to his shins. I should’ve just accepted his compliment and moved on. He’s not going to tell me anything, and I need to stop letting Gray’s whispered words get to my head.

Silas cares for me only as a friend or annoying younger sibling, and I need to get that fact through my thick skull.

“Okay,” he huffs.

What? I can barely contain my excitement as he gestures for me to sit in one of the chairs tucked in the corner of the library. I practically sprint to them, almost tripping over my feet in the process.

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