Page 37 of Stone
Chapter 19
Acceptance
“Garenth?” Brielle stepped inside her apartment and glanced around the empty living area. Closing the door behind her, she placed her purse and the bag onto the bar that separated the small kitchen from the rest of the area and walked into the bedroom. Not seeing him there, a moment of fear went through her until she caught movement outside theopen window. Smiling, she went over and peered outside onto the fire escape.Garenthsat, posed, on the edge. The man creature looked like a giant sculpture guarding the narrow staircase and walkway.
“Garenth? Have you been outside the whole time I’ve been away?”
He turned around to give her a confused look, reminding her she didn’t have her phone with her. Briellequickly returned to the front room to retrieve it. When she turned around,Garenthhad followed her inside. She started to ask him her question again when he stopped and sniffed. Slowly, he made his way over to the bar where she’d set her package.
“I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you some roasted chicken. I don’t know if you can eat it, but I couldn’t think of anythingelse you might want.”
She opened the bag to withdraw the Styrofoam container that held the half chicken.Garenthremained standing by the bar, his gaze intent on what she was doing. Pushing it toward him, she opened the box.
He glanced at her. “Eat?”
“Yeah.”
He reached in and pulled the skin from the meat. Looking at his fingers, he raisedthem to his nose and sniffed, followed by a tentative lick. A strange expression crossed his bestial features, and he tore a piece of chicken off the bone, shoving it into his mouth.
Brielle perched herself on the edge of a bar stool and watched as he devoured the chicken, barely chewing each piece before swallowing and taking another bite. Within a couple of minutes, he’d consumedthe meal. She started to reach for the empty container to place in the trash, whenGarenthbroke the leg bone and proceeded to suck out the marrow. The sight of it made her wince, but he seemed to delight in the taste. He tossed the bone pieces back into the container and looked at her.
“It was good. I hungry.”
She smiled at the contentment on his face. “I’m glad. Wouldyou like something to drink?”
“Wine.”
“Uhh, no wine. Sorry. How about a glass of water?”
He grinned. “Water good.”
She pulled a glass from the cabinet and filled it from the tap at the kitchen sink. When she turned around, she nearly collided with him.Garenthreached past her and twisted the faucet, turning the water on and off.
“Your world fascinating.”
She snickered and handed him the glass. He sniffed the contents before drinking up every drop.
“More?”
In answer, he gently moved her aside and refilled the glass himself, drinking about half of the contents before setting it down on the counter.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” A yawn caught herunaware. She tried to cover it with her hand.
“You tired.” The concern in his tone was unavoidable. “You rest.”
“Yeah. Last night was pretty rough. Would you mind if I went to lay down for a little bit and take a nap? When I wake up, I’ll go get you something more to eat. I don’t have anything on hand here to cook for you, and that little bit of chicken couldn’t havebeen enough to fill you up.”
Garenthfrowned slightly. “You rest,” he reiterated.
She patted him on the shoulder and walked into her bedroom, half-expecting for him to tag behind. When she reached the bed, she turned to see him standing in the doorway, watching her. For a second she wondered what he was thinking. She also realized she didn’t feel uncomfortable havinghim here. Having him in such close proximity, despite his fearsome appearance. Or hisalienness.
He’s like a time traveler who’s become lost in a strange new world.
No. Heisa time traveler. And he is lost. He’s lost, confused, angry, and unable to comprehend what he sees and hears. I bet that’s the first time he ever ate chicken, too.
“Garenth, wouldyou like it if I turned on the TV so you won’t get bored?” Damn. She should have thought about that this morning before she left.
