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He grunts his dissatisfaction, but answers me anyway. “You’re different.”
It’s all the answer I’m going to get, but that’s okay because I’d rather avoid that subject. Iamdifferent. Not that I know why. My inexplicable allure has always bothered me. It’s much worse with some than others. Terrance falls on the not-as-affected side. Perhaps because he’s telling the truth, and trolls generally don’t like anyone outside of their clans.
We reach the bottom of the staircase and, thankfully, Terrance flips a light switch. He turns his head away, to hide his pink cheeks, and waves his hand around the main living area. The space is shockingly large. It has a ten-foot high ceiling at least, and the doors and hallways that break off from it are all at least double, maybe triple the width of a normal human house. I’m grateful to see painted drywall and not the carved-out dirt cavern I expected. It looks like a normal house minus any windows. A really nice house.
It’s tastefully decorated despite its clear bachelor pad/man cave feel. There’s a large television mounted on the wall that has to be seventy-two inches at least, several huge leather sectional sofas, and a couple of recliners. In the far corner there is a pool table near a large built-in wet bar that looks like a smaller scale of the bar in his club.
“There’s a bathroom over there, but each bedroom has a private bathroom as well.” Terrance points to a door on the other side of the room, then heads into a large arched entryway that brings us into a massive kitchen and dining area. The kitchen could cater to a large restaurant and the dining table could seat at least twenty. “I keep the fridge well stocked. You’re welcome to anything you can find, and if you have any special requests, just let me know.”
I’m still gawking at the kitchen when he leads me through another archway into a long hallway with a number of doors. He walks to the second door on the left and leads me into a modest bedroom. It’s nothing like the suite Henry kept me in, but it’s the largest room that I’ve ever stayed in by at least double. There’s a king-size bed, a large dresser, a walk-in closet, and a private bathroom. The room is decorated in warm browns and greens—earthy colors.
Terrance drops my bag on the large bed and can’t quite meet my eyes as he says, “My room is next door. I figured you’d want to be close. But if you don’t like this one, there are several other rooms to choose from.”
I’m surprised by the hint of vulnerability he’s showing. I’m not sure what has him so nervous. “Are you kidding?” I say, wanting to put him at ease. “It’s fantastic. This is by far the nicest room I’ve ever been offered. I can’t thank you enough.”
He relaxes at my enthusiasm and finally looks me in the eyes. He doesn’t smile exactly, but there’s pride and satisfaction in his expression. He covers it with clearing his throat and a gruff, “I will install a light at the top of the stairs tomorrow.”
The statement startles me. “Can you read minds?”
“No. But I know humans don’t have a troll’s night vision.”
“So youdohave night vision?”
Now he grins. “Aye, little lady. It’s one of my many talents. Sorry if the place isn’t lit very well. Bright light is hard on our eyes, and I wasn’t prepared for a roommate. Especially not a human one. That’s probably a first in troll history.” He shakes his head as if he still can’t believe it’s happening, then looks at me again. “I can make whatever adjustments you need. Just let me know. For now, let’s eat. I’m starving, and I can hear your stomach rumbling.”
He’s all smiles as he heads back toward the kitchen, but I can’t quite share his good mood. His normal need for complete privacy is disconcerting. I feel terrible for putting him out and don’t want to overstay my welcome. He’s like, the second friend I’ve ever had. I don’t want to ruin that by making him uncomfortable in his own home. “You don’t have to trouble yourself with changing anything. I won’t be here that long. I can manage in the mood lighting.”
Terrance points to a tall barstool on the far side of the kitchen island, frowning. I sit as instructed and try to keep the atmosphere light while he heads to the fridge. “I’ll just go topside when I need a little vitamin D boost. No biggie. As long as me being here really isn’t going to be hard for you.”
Terrance folds his arms across his wide chest, and I get another frown with a no-nonsense stare. “I told you, you’re welcome here as long as you want to stay. You don’t need to rush away on my account.”
It’s a kind offer, but I can’t help feeling self-conscious. “Are you sure? I know you value your privacy and…well…not that I’m worried about you attacking me or anything, but, don’t trolls sometimes…eathumans? I’m not going to be some kind of tasty temptation that tortures you day and night, am I?”
Terrance blinks at me a couple of times in a stupor and then throws his head back and laughs so loudly the walls shake. “A few of the savage ones may snack on a human every now and then, but it’s not the norm.” He pulls out a package of ground beef from the fridge and winks. “We prefer red meat. I hear you all taste like chicken. Nothing especially tempting about that. Burger?”
I blush despite myself. I feel stupid for asking, but I’m relieved by his answer at the same time. I give him a sheepish nod. “A burger would be great.”
He goes to work forming a couple of big meat patties. His enormous state-of-the-art stove has a built-in gas grill where he can cook the burgers over an open flame. As he cooks—and he looks very comfortable in the kitchen, which I find oddly fascinating—he continues his explanation of his kind. “Eating people would bring the humans into our business, and that’s the last thing any troll ever wants. For the most part, we’re not a threat; just a big, ugly, grumpy lot that stays away from humans and keeps to ourselves.”
I grin at him, thankful he’s able to put me at ease. “Well, you’ve got the big part right, T-Man, but I don’t know about ugly. You’re atleastaverage-looking.”
He snorts a laugh at the playful taunt.
“And you laugh way too much to be considered a grump.”
He slides me a glance over his shoulder as he tends to our burgers. The smell is tantalizing and makes me realize it’s been well over a day since I’ve eaten anything. “That’s why I was chosen to come to the city. My clan is small and extremely standoffish. They don’t blend well in the human world. They live up north on Mackinac Island and stay out of the way of humans as much as possible. They needed a steady source of income and wanted a voice among the underworld. I was sent here to be our representative because I was the most sociable in the clan.” When I grin, he matches my smile and adds, “I’m also a bit of a runt. I fit in better among humans.”
Eyeing his seven-plus feet and mountainous pecs, I say, “I’ve got news for you, dude; if you didn’t work at Underworld, you would fail epically at the blending thing.”
Terrance pulls his shoulders back and stands tall, as if I’ve just complimented him. “Good.” I raise an eyebrow, and he shrugs before reaching for a couple of plates from a cupboard. “I’ve been here long enough, and I do well controlling my instincts, but all trolls have horrible tempers. I’m no exception. That’s my main reason for keeping to myself so much.”
I believe him. After seeing him almost lose it on Henry several times tonight, and seeing how seriously everyone responded to his lapse in control, I don’t think I ever want to see him lose his temper. I can understand his fear of hurting his friends if his rage is really that hard to control. It makes him offering me a place to stay that much more baffling, though.
“So I don’t annoy you?” I laugh, but I’m genuinely asking. “I’ve been known to piss off my fair share of people. Are you sure I’m not going to send you into a rampage?”
“I’m sure.” Terrance grabs a package of hamburger buns and, while avoiding eye contact, points to the fridge. “Would you gather all the fixings?”
I hop off my stool and start rummaging through the fridge without complaint, but I don’t let the conversation drop. I hand him a couple slices of cheese. “Howare you sure?”
