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She did die, and you grabbed her body."
    "You are partially correct," she said. "I am not a ghost, or spirit of a dead human. I am E'ea. I am from a world so far away your scientists only suspect that it supports life forms. I am a Galactic Guardian." And new enough in the role that the announcement filled her with an extra glow of pride.
    "Oh, my God, you really are an alien. So you're here to ... what—kill someone?" His gaze flickered toward the nearest aperture in the walls. “Or suck brains, or something?”
    Hmm. E'ea recalled from her research that females on this planet occasionally killed males for ending a relationship with them, although it was more commonly the rejected males who killed. Perhaps he believed that Brynne had returned to end his life. As for ‘sucking brains’, that she did not get at all. Was that a thing here? She had not come across it in her research on modern humans.
    "No, I come in peace." She snickered. "I've always wanted to say that. But I digress. I am here as a guardian, Grayson. I am here to guard you ."
    He shook his head, the furrow back between his brows. "No, forget me for now. Talk about Brynne. Where has she—have you been?"
    E'ea sent energy swirling across the table to Gray's chair. It slid across the floor toward him, and he winced as it struck the back of his calves. "Perhaps you should sit down for this part, Grayson."
    Gray sat. "Wait. Are you ... are you gonna take her with you somewhere? Like in that old movie … Cocoon, that was the name. You can leave, but you have to leave her here.”
    E'ea emanated humor again, but stopped herself before it manifested as a laugh from her hostess. That would be most inappropriate at this time.
    "No," she said. "I will not take your Brynne away. This I swear to you. I have brought her back to you, and I will keep her safe until the danger passes." Or she would perish trying.
    "What danger?" He shook his head, pale under his tan. “You—Topper—everyone’s warning me of danger. But there can’t be any danger to me here —I’m safe here. Brynne’s the one who died.”
    E'ea focused on him, and monitored. Heartbeat heavy, respiration ragged, skin clammy, body temperature lowered. Now was not the time to tell him Brynne had died because of him. Not because of their argument, but because of something much darker.
    She floated the container of enchiladas toward him. As he lifted his hands automatically to catch it in one hand, she attempted to send him an eating utensil. He caught the fork just before it whacked him on the cheek, and glowered at her.
    She really must practice more—Earth's gravity was so different from her home.
    "Consume a portion of nutrition," she ordered. "Your biological system is reacting similarly to Brynne's. Therefore, you must be low on nutrients and thus energy, as well."
    He shrugged and shoveled up a bite. While he ate, she eyed the other container. "What is this substance?"
    "Salad," Grayson mumbled around a mouthful of enchilada. "You live on the stuff."
    Ah, Brynne enjoyed salad. E'ea opened her mouth to levitate a small bite. Then she caught sight of Grayson staring at her, his face tight. "Sorry. I will consume as you do."
    Gray shook his head, but he took another large bite and chewed. She had been correct about that, he was hungry.
    She ate more salad, using her fork the way he did. "This cold vegetation is surprisingly tasty," she said. "Your planet holds many surprises."
    Gray reached for the half-empty container of yeasty-smelling beverage on the table, and took a drink. "What do you usually, ah, consume?"
    He was humoring her. The look in his eyes said he did not believe her story.
    "My race does not consume nutrition in solid form as you do. We absorb it from our atmosphere." She frowned at the salad. "Have I consumed enough nutrition to sustain Brynne through your rest cycle? Her digestive system feels quite full, yet I am ... unsatisfied."
    "Oh, you’re—or she’s—probably thirsty,"