Page 4 of The Boys
“Do you get a lot of return customers?” he asked.
“Yes. There are a few who visit us yearly.”
“In the winter?” he asked.
“No, but we always have guests for the holidays. It seems getting away from family and friends is more popular than you would think,” I said and smiled. He didn’t need to know more than that. The longer I sat next to him, and the more we talked, the more Iwantedto spend time with him and learn more about him. Even knowing how Mother would feel about it didn’t seem to be enough to dissuade me, but I doubted a human as good as he was could ever feel anything but disgust for the creature I hid behind a glamour that faded with every night of Yule. “How do you usually spend the holidays?”
“My family usually gets together for Christmas Day. We have a big dinner and invite any neighbors or friends who need a place to go. It usually ends up a big party with all of us outside if the weather is nice or playing board games. Christmas Eve, we order pizza and watch movies because Mom always says it’s too much to cook for both days.” He smiled as he spoke, and it was obvious he was close to his family. He had a good life, and he’d returnto it unharmed at the end of Yule. For once in my existence, I hoped he wouldn’t notice what was going to happen at the hotel.
We’d gotten very good at only exposing ourselves to those we chose while hiding from the innocents. There were times I wanted everyone to know what we were, and for all of Iceland to know that the stories they told their children in hopes of keeping them in line, were true. But not tonight, and not as long as Syd was here.
The bus turned down the long narrow road that would lead to the front of the hotel. We pulled into the covered entry where guests could unload no matter the weather, and as soon as the van stopped two of my brothers were out the door and helping unload.
“Caleb,” Skyr said before pulling me in for a hug. “I’ve missed you brother.” I clapped him on the back and nodded at my other brother, Peeps.
“I’ve missed you too,” I said.
“Nearly everyone has arrived, these are the final guests we’re expecting,” Skyr said.
“Not the one named Syd,” I said, and both of them met my eyes before they nodded. Never had I been wrong in who I chose, and they all knew it. They wouldn’t question it this time.
“We’ll make sure he’s in one of the special rooms,” Peeps said, and I nodded just as Syd walked over to where we stood with the luggage.
“Should I take my own bag?” he asked.
“No, sir, I’ll make sure it gets to your room. Go inside and get out of the weather. They’re waiting at the front desk to check everyone in,” Skyr said, and I noted how much more human he sounded now than when we’d first opened this hotel. He winked at me as he took Syd’s bag and followed him to the front desk where another brother waited.
“You like him,” Peeps said and watched with me as Syd was handed his room key and Skyr carried his bag to the room he’d been given.
“He’s good,” I said, and knew it was enough of an explanation.
“It’s more than that this time,” Peeps said, and glanced sideways at me. “Don’t worry, he won’t be harmed.”
“Thank you,” I said, and taking my own bag I walked into the hotel. Finally home, after a long year abroad hunting for all the perfect humans to bring back with me. But not Syd, in the end he’d have a choice.
Five
Syd
The front of thehotel made it appear much smaller than it actually was. Behind the main building there were several hallways that led to multiple rooms. I followed along behind a man that had to be one of Caleb’s brothers. So far, every employee had a look about them that said they were related.
“Here you go, sir. The dining room will be serving dinner soon,” he said before handing my keycard back to me and leaving. I looked around the room, it was small and somewhat utilitarian, but it was clean and modern with a warm down comforter neatly laid out on top of the bed. The snow was falling heavily now as Ilooked out the window and realized I could see the room across the way from me. It looked like it was the same as this room with small windows that probably kept the heat in more than a larger window would. The room was warm, and I noticed a radiator along the wall.
“Geothermal heat,” Caleb said, making me jump, while he stood leaning against the door. “You really should lock your door.”
“Caleb, you scared me to death,” I said and clutched my heart.
“Did you need to unpack?” he asked. “I thought I could take you on a tour.”
I looked around at the small room again and the blowing snow outside and imagined sitting there the rest of the day by myself. Even though I was exhausted I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep yet. “Actually, I could go for a drink,” I said and took off my heavy coat.
“How about if I meet you in the dining room in twenty minutes,” Caleb said.
“Perfect.” After he left, I used the bathroom and freshened up before I grabbed my phone and keycard and after walking to the end of the hallway to check it out, walked down the long hall back to the main hotel. The long hallways were more like fingers that stretched out from the main building, at the end were rooms with tall windows for optimal viewing and a seating area but nothing more.
“Syd, over here,” Caleb said from where he sat at the small bar.
“Hey, I walked down to the end of the hallway. This is a big hotel,” I said as I slid into the seat next to him.
