Gideon's Spear (10 page)

“…told Finn enough for now.” Gideon shook his head as Mac Roth started to protest. “We first need to determine Iona's game and…” He stopped talking when Lochlan walked out, a long wooden box in his hands.

“All right, then?” Mac Roth waved the boy over.

“Yup. My parents are going to stay and listen to the music a while longer before they drive back to Denver.” He passed the box, its top and sides carved with Celtic designs, to the Knight. “And Mom said to give you this.”

“What is it?” Finn asked, joining them.

Mac Roth opened the lid. An ornate dagger, its bronze blade polished to a mirror finish and its handle wrapped in soft deerskin, rested on a bed of emerald velvet. “I'll be sure to thank yer parents for this, but there was no need. I do not hold with that old custom.”

Finn peered at the weapon. “What old custom?”

“Oh, you know,” Lochlan jumped in before either Knight could answer. “You're supposed to give your master a special gift at the beginning of your apprenticeship. To thank him for taking care of you and training you and all that stuff.”

Finn's heart crashed to his toes.
I didn't know
.
And even if I did, I don't have anything good enough to give him
.

“I see ye share the O'Neills' family trait of an over-active mouth,” growled Mac Roth. With a snap of the lid, he shut the box and beckoned to a confused Lochlan. “I'd like a word in private with ye.”

“What? I didn't do anything.”

“Now!”

Lochlan shrugged. He followed Mac Roth a few feet down the sidewalk.

Finn forced himself to look at his master. Before he could speak, Gideon waved a hand in dismissal.

“I know what you're thinking, lad, and there is no need to thrash yourself about this. It's an old custom, as Mac Roth said.”

“I…I didn't know I was supposed to give you something.” He made a face. “Seems like there's a lot of stuff I don't know.”

Gideon rapped his knuckles gently on Finn's head. “That's because you've a thick skull with little room for a brain.”

In spite of himself, Finn laughed. Gideon smiled back, then glanced over as the other Knight and apprentice approached.

“Get on with it, Lochlan O'Neill,” Mac Roth ordered. “And it best be a pretty speech.”

Lochlan sucked in a deep breath. Then he let loose with possibly the longest sentence Finn had ever heard. “Okay, so I'm supposed to say I'm sorry I opened my big mouth and said something that I thought
everyone
knew about, and even if they didn't, what is the big deal anyway because it's not like I was
trying
to make you feel bad or anything, I mean, I just met you, so I think it really, really sucks that
I'm
in trouble for doing something that I didn't know was wrong and, by the way, if anyone is counting, I've only been an apprentice for, like, two hours, so you would think
someone
might cut me a little slack, but nooooo, so, anyway, I'm sorry if I made you feel bad, Finn.”

Stunned silence followed. Then, throwing back his head, Gideon roared with laughter while Mac Roth stood speechless.

Thirteen

T
he next evening, Finn jogged across the street to the Steels' house, his shadow hurrying before him. Before he could get halfway up the brick walk, the front door opened. Rafe slipped out.

“Hey, Finn.” Glancing over his shoulder, he lowered his voice. “Are we still on for Monday morning?”

“Yeah. Gideon said to come over as soon as both your parents are gone. And bring those knives I gave you.”

“Are you talking about the training?” Savannah appeared behind Rafe. She made a face when they both shushed her. “Chill, guys. Mom's back in the kitchen and Dad's on the phone in his office.” Rubbing her hands, she grinned. “Can't wait to get started. I always wanted to learn to throw a knife like they do in the movies.”

“Well, it's a lot harder than it looks,” Finn said. “And it is not the best defense because, once you've thrown it, you're out of weapons. Unless you have an extra blade.”

“Do you carry a knife all the time?” Rafe asked, signaling his sister to close the door.

Finn nodded. He glanced around the neighborhood, then bent over and tugged his pant leg up, revealing the ankle sheath and blade.

“This way I can be armed, but it's not as obvious as my belt sheath. Gideon wears one like this once in a while, too.” He pulled the denim back over it.

Just in time. The door opened. Rufus Steel stuck his head out. “There you are, Finn. I hope you're hungry.”

“Yes, sir. And thanks for inviting me,” he added, remembering Gideon's instructions. His grin became forced when he noticed Mr. Steel examining his face. Again. Resentment surged through him.
I wish he'd stop doing that. I know he thinks he's helping me, but it's starting to tick me off. Gideon would never hurt me. Why can't they see that?
“What? Do I have something on my nose?” he asked with a trace of defiance.

“Why, no. Not at all.” He waved them inside. “You three go on back to the kitchen. Savannah, tell Mom I'll be in to help in a few minutes.” He disappeared back into the office.

“What's wrong, Finn?” Rafe whispered as they headed to the kitchen. “You look mad about something.”

“I just…I just wish your dad would stop with the whole ‘save the kid from the evil guardian' campaign he's on.”

“Hey, he's only trying to help.” A note of defense crept into Rafe's voice.

“Well, it's getting on my nerves,” Finn snapped back.

“Um, guys?” Savannah made a shushing motion with her hand. “Enough already. Save it for the Amandán.”

Finn and Rafe exchanged silent apologies as they walked into the kitchen.

Gleaming stainless-steel appliances reflected the dark wood of the cabinets. An island, complete with its own sink and marble countertop, took up the center of the room, while a large bay window overlooked the back yard.
I think
three
of our kitchens would fit in here
, thought Finn. Dr. Steel looked up from the cooked chicken she was slicing and gave him a warm smile.

“Ah, good evening, Finn. How are you?” Her voice held a hint of an accent, not quite British, not quite German.

“Fine, thanks, Dr. Steel.”

She raised a delicate eyebrow at him. “
Dr
? I thought we had agreed on Mrs. as a compromise. Although, I would still be happy with a simple Susanna.”

Right. And Gideon would be
totally
okay with that
, Finn thought, imagining his master's reaction if he heard his apprentice addressing adults by their first names, Mac Roth excluded. “I mean, Mrs. Steel.” He watched her for a moment. “Can I help? I'm pretty good with a knife.” He kept a straight face when Rafe and Savannah snorted.

“Thank you, but no. I'm about finished here. Rafe, set the table, please. Savannah, give the mielie pap another stir, would you?” As his friends bustled about, Finn took a seat at the counter on a tall stool and watched the doctor while she worked. Her hands flew as she chopped and diced with the skill of the surgeon she was, dumping the pieces of meat into a large bowl next to her.

“Wow, you're fast,” Finn commented after a few minutes.

“Why, thank you. Cooking is a bit of a hobby of mine. I find it relaxing after a long day at the hospital.” She tasted a sample. “Hmm. Needs a dash more lemon pepper. Finn, would you fetch it for me? It's in the spice drawer to the left of the stove.”

“Sure.”

As he slid off the stool, his pant leg rode up against one of the rungs, exposing the knife at his ankle. At that moment, Mr. Steel walked into the kitchen. Finn's breath caught in his throat when the man spotted the weapon. Their eyes met.

“What's that?”

“What's what?” Finn yanked his pant leg back down.

“Why are you carrying a knife under your clothes?”

Behind the man, Rafe and Savannah exchanged looks of alarm. Mrs. Steel's hands froze over the cutting board. Silence filled the room, broken only by the burble of the cooking porridge.

Mr. Steel stepped closer and laid a hand on Finn's shoulder. “Look, I'm not okay with you bringing a weapon into my home. So, I'll ask you again. Why are you packing?”

“Dad,” Rafe protested. “He's not—”

“Quiet.” Mr. Steel threw a stern glance at his son, then turned his focus back to Finn. He lowered his voice. “Are you carrying it for… protection?”

Easing out from under the man's hand, Finn stepped back and raised his chin. “Protection from whom?”

“You tell me.”

Torn between defending his master and not wanting to insult his best friend's father, Finn hesitated, then tightened his jaw and said nothing. His eyes flickered once to Rafe and Savannah, then to Mrs. Steel. To his surprise, a faint line appeared between her brows, as if she were trying to remember something. For a moment, she stared at his eyes, then at his torc, her head tilted to one side. Her frown deepened.

Before she could speak, Finn looked away. “Maybe I should leave,” he said through stiff lips. Without waiting for an answer, he darted around Mr. Steel and headed for the front door, ignoring his shout to come back and talk about it.

Bursting out into the early evening, he broke into a sprint. He reached his gate and flung it open with a clang, his stomach twisting like the Celtic knot adorning their front door. Confusion made his feet clumsy as he hurried up the steps to the porch.

Slipping inside the screen door, he paused to listen, then headed toward the kitchen. He hovered in the doorway. At the sink, Gideon was humming to himself over the clatter of dishes and running water.

“Gideon?”

The Knight glanced over a shoulder in surprise. “Back so soon, then?” He narrowed his eyes. “And I take it from the expression on your face that something is amiss?”

“Yeah.” Finn sighed. He looked down and picked at the healing scar on his palm.

“Come, speak with me.” Gideon plucked a towel from the counter and dried his hands, then motioned for Finn to follow him outside.

Taking a seat on the top of the picnic table, master and apprentice sat side by side, both watching the sun inching toward the top of the foothills. As Finn explained, the Knight sat in silence, rubbing his knuckles along his jaw.

“So…so then I just left. I didn't know what to say to them.” He peeked up at his master out of the corner of his eye. “Can't we just tell them the truth about us?”

“I've told you before, boyo. They'll not be believing us.” Before Finn could reply, a knock sounded from the front of the house. “That is most likely Steel.”

Hopping down, Finn followed his master inside. “What are you going to say to him?”

“As little as possible,” Gideon said darkly.

Mr. Steel stood on the porch, peering through the screen. At the sight of the Knight, he stiffened. “Lir. We need to talk.”

“Go ahead, then.”

“In private.”

“Unless ye've a wee person in yer pocket, this is as private as we are going to be, Rufus Steel.” Finn noticed his master's accent deepened.

The man blew out a breath in frustration. “Have it your way.” Studying them through the screen, he said, “Finn, I think you're a good kid, but you are no longer allowed in my house. And the twins are not allowed to see you or hang out with you or even call you. Not until I am satisfied with what's going on here.” Before either Tuatha De Danaan could speak, he continued. “And, yes,
I
called the Department of Human Services. There's no way a boy his age should have that many cuts and bruises and who knows what other injuries.”

Gideon growled. “Now, wait a moment—”

“I got them during training,” Finn yelled, interrupting his master. “And while hunting!”

“Hunting what?” Mr. Steel replied in disbelief. “We live in a suburban neighborhood, for goodness' sake. So unless you're hunting some kind of…of creature that can disguise itself, I'm not buying it. I'm sorry.” Without another word, he turned and marched away.

Anger and hurt sliced through Finn. He pressed his lips into a thin line when his master started to speak.

“This is why being friends with—”

“I know,” Finn snapped back. “You told me that before. So, give it a break, will you?” Before Gideon could stomp on him for being rude, he whirled around and ran upstairs to his room.

Fourteen

S
lamming his door, Finn stalked over to the window and stared, unseeing, out across the yard.
My life totally sucks. Sucks, sucks, sucks. Gideon keeps secrets from me. Mr. Steel won't let me hang out with Rafe. And oh yeah, let's not forget about the whole Iona-Amandán-Spear thing
. He began bouncing his forehead against the glass.
Plus now I'm in trouble for mouthing off
. The rhythmic thumping masked the sound of the door opening behind him.

“Finnegan MacCullen.”

Finn jumped and whirled around. Gideon stood there in the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. His expression sent a chill of uneasiness through Finn.

“Yes, sir?”

“Do you know what happens to apprentices who are disrespectful to their masters?”

“They get thrown upside down into the nearest river you can find?”

In spite of himself, Gideon's mouth twitched. He quickly subdued it. “Oh, so, now we're adding cheeky to the pot of trouble you've brewed for yourself, are we?”

The low rumble of a vehicle pulling into their driveway drew their attention. Doors slammed shut, followed a moment later by a knock on the front screen. Gideon walked out of the room. Finn hesitated, then trailed behind. Reaching the foot of the stairs, he broke into a grateful smile at the figure speaking with his master in the entryway.