Page 7 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
“Drop whatever you took,” Uzoth’s voice rumbled as he spoke for the first time in months. He stared into the cyclops’s single beady eye.
The cyclops dropped the bag.
Uzoth looked between them. “If I have to intervene and stop either of you from harming another again, I promise you will not survive.”
The stench of their terror filled his nostrils. Growling, he cast them aside onto the ground. They stumbled to their feet and ran away. Uzoth watched them disappear from sight. Then Uzoth turned towards Grady.
The witch lay propped up on his side, one arm across his stomach, staring up at Uzoth. His mouth hung open, but he did not seem to fear Uzoth, unlike all those Uzoth had saved before.
Uzoth reached down and picked up the bag the cyclops had tried to steal from Grady. He stepped forward. Grady kept his gaze on Uzoth’s face, still no fear filled his grey eyes.
Uzoth held out the bag.
“Thank you,” Grady said, voice hoarse. He rose to his feet. Then stumbled forward.
Uzoth reached out and caught him by the waist. Grady’s hands gripped Uzoth’s bare arms. The warmth of Grady’s palms and fingers penetrated the cold of Uzoth’s skin.
Grady swayed. Uzoth tightened his grip.
After a second’s consideration, Uzoth said, “You are unwell and incapable of walking home. I shall carry you.” Then he bent down and lifted Grady into his arms.
Grady made a noise as Uzoth flew into the air. Grady stared down at the buildings below, eyes wide.
“You are all right. I have you,” Uzoth assured him.
A moment later, Uzoth landed in the alley behind the apartment. He marched up the stairs. When he glanced down at Grady’s face, he was surprised to see the man had passed out.
Humans truly are such fragile creatures.
At the door, Uzoth could feel the protection charm. “I mean him no harm. I mean to help. Allow me to enter so I can take care of him.”
The charm seemed to consider. Then the door swung open. Uzoth entered.
Uzoth glanced around the room. None of the other witches could be seen in the main room. They must all be asleep in the rooms behind the doors. Humans tended to sleep at night. That was what most creatures did at night.
Uzoth stepped into the room. The door shut behind him.
He counted five doors. Should he wake someone to assist Grady? He did not know the correct way to proceed. Several chairs and a long settee clustered around a fireplace. Only dying embers burned within.
Uzoth strode to the settee and placed Grady down. He then set the bag down on the floor. He stared down at Grady for several moments. The man’s chest rose and fell. Not dead, then. Just sleeping.
Now what do I do?
Several blankets lay scattered on chairs. He collected them and placed them over Grady. Humans must be kept warm. They did not like the cold and could even die from it.
With that thought in mind, he went to the fireplace and got the fire going again. When the flames danced and licked along the logs, he stood.
But what else did humans have need of?
Sustenance. They needed food and water.
Uzoth had no experience with either. Not really. He did not need to eat or drink to survive. Although, he had drunk from a fountain once.
Uzoth spotted a jug of water on a table, along with a couple of cups. He filled a cup with water, then brought both the jugand cup and placed them next to the settee. He then found some bread and a pouch of salt mixed with bits and pieces of things Uzoth did not recognise. He placed those on the floor beside Grady.
Having located and provided food and drink, Uzoth took a step back, staring at him.
Will the witch be all right?
