Chapter 4
Four
Caleb
We were nearly to the hotel, and I had to contain my excitement.
This is what we were made for, but I’d need to be patient.
The snow was falling heavier now, and in a few hours, there wouldn’t be a way out of the hotel unless one of us was involved.
But I knew for a fact none of us would do that.
We wanted our guests to experience all the days of Yule.
“That’s where we’re going,” I said to Syd and pointed to the lights that were barely visible in the blowing snow and gloom.
“I hope I’ll still be able to go on my tours,” he said, and I could sense his nerves.
“We’ll make sure you’re able to see anything you want to in the area. Part of the reason our hotel is so popular is we aim to please and we want you to enjoy yourself enough to return.”
“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 I wanted to 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 return to 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.