Page 2 of The Boys
“Have you been here before?”
“I’m originally from here, just home for the holidays,” he said and kept walking.
“Is it always this dark?” It was a little before two in the afternoon, but it felt darker than it had been when I arrived a short time ago.
“Yes, this time of year are the darkest days,” he said, and a strange expression crossed his features again. This time anticipation and glee but with a sinister edge.
Two
Caleb
Imet the boythe way I’d done many times in the past. But this time was different, and for the first time ever, I doubted my brother’s intuition about this one. Syd had been betrayed by his love and didn’t deserve what was waiting for him. But there had to be a reason he’d been chosen. There was always a reason. I reached out with my own ability again, but still did not sense evil, and evil was the reason he would have been chosen.
“So, how long is your visit?” Syd asked, just as we were served the warm food, we’d both ordered. Soup for me and stew for him.
“I leave after the thirteenth day of the Yule,” I said and hoped he didn’t think it was strange. Some of my brothers preferred to stay here rather than try to blend into the world of men. But I chose to go into their world and learn their ways. I also found those who were selected and made sure they arrived here in time for their day of reckoning.
“When is that?” Syd asked.
“The second day of January. I like to begin the new year with my family.”
“That’s nice. So how long is it dark like this?” he asked and took a taste of his stew.
“Only three months,” I said, and tried not to laugh when his mouth dropped open.
“And you come home for that?” he asked.
“It’s comforting to me. No matter how long I’m away from here I never get used to it being so bright during the winter months.” He didn’t need to know that my true form was sensitive to light and even in my human form I found it hard to ignore.
“Where is your home?” Syd asked.
“My family owns the Northern Lights Hotel. It’s remote and near the mountains in the north.”
“That’s where I’m staying. My ex wanted to see the northern lights, but I don’t think he paid attention to when the best viewing is. Since it was booked and paid for, I didn’t want to waste it. So, I’ve booked a tour to see some of the waterfalls, a black beach, and lots of geothermal springs.”
“Are you?” I feigned surprise. “Well, I’ll make sure they take good care of you.” I didn’t mention that the way the weather was shaping up, it was doubtful he’d be taking any of those tours.
“I’m sure everything will be great. I’m relieved to know you’re going to the same place. I was worried when they gave me directions on how to get there. Especially going alone and with it being dark.”
Emotions I didn’t recognize flooded my system as I watched his reaction to his own words. He was trying to convince himself he’d be okay when it was obvious he questioned every word he said. But again, I could sense Syd was good, and he didn’t deserve anything bad, and I’d make sure nothing bad happened to him while he was here.Protector.I tried the word out in my mind and was surprised at the need to make sure he was safe while he was in my care.
“It will all be fine, are you staying through the holidays?” I asked.
“Yes. There was nothing that would make me go back home and spend the holidays with my family while trying to explain why I’m not married. Fucking Michael,” he said under his breath.
“Yeah, I can’t imagine that would be a very nice holiday.” In reality, I couldn’t imagine a holiday any different than what my brothers and I shared since the day Mother had gathered all thirteen of us together. We’d all been wandering alone without any direction and without family. All that changed the day she brought us to her cave. “Don’t worry though. I’ll be at the hotel the whole time you’re there and I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of. You might not want to leave at the end of it.” He didn’t need to know that most who stayed at the hotel this time of year never left, and not by their choice.
I thought how different his family must be to mine. None of us were related, we’d all been brought into this world by ogres and trolls, only to be orphaned or left alone to survive, but that was many years ago. Not many of our kind survived in the modern world. But Mother was cunning and found a way for each of us to use our unique gifts to punish those who chose to do evil, and at the same time rewarding us.
“What traditions do you have for Christmas? I heard there’s folklore in Iceland about the Yule Lads. Have you heard of them?” Syd asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Oh yes, every Icelandic child has heard the stories. Then there’s also the Yule Cat. He used to eat children, but now apparently, he only scares them.” I grinned and tried not to laugh at the fact that every word I said was true, but by the end of the Yule he’d know that.
“There’s a cat?” he asked and with a bent elbow rested his chin on his hand. His eyelids were heavy, and I could sense his exhaustion and the need to sleep.
“Are you tired?” I asked, unable to stop myself.
“A little. My flight left early this morning, and I had a long layover in Salt Lake City. Plus, I haven’t really slept the past few nights.” His sadness was heavy, and I found I wanted to comfort him in some way, so I patted his shoulder and tried to ignore the way he leaned into my touch.
