Finn Finnegan Read Free

backyard bordered on three sides with the same stone wall as the front. In the middle of the yard stood two tall posts with a cable stretched tight between them. A lumpy burlap bag dangled from a rope attached to the cable; it hung over a patch of bare ground. Beyond the back wall, wooded acres stretched westward toward the foothills. Finn noticed a trail leading from the other side of wall into the woods.
    â€œYer own bath, too,” Gideon said. He pointed with his chin toward the adjoining room. “And yer to keep both of them tidy.”
    â€œNo problem.” Finn reached over and started to unzip his backpack when Gideon cleared his throat. He looked up.
    â€œAs it appears yer apprenticeship has begun, albeit a day early, ye best start learning some rules.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œLike the use of ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ when ye address me. Ye may also call me Gideon.” He paused, then added, “Or Knight Gideon if ye’re trying to—what’s the modern phrase—suck up to me?”
    Finn’s face warmed. Catching himself before he said something that would most likely be labeled as cheeky , he nodded. “Yes, sir.”
    â€œRight.” Gideon nodded toward the pack. “Work away.”
    Fighting the temptation to snap off a salute, Finn grabbed the bag and shook it upside-down. Several balled-up tee shirts, a gray hoodie, and a pair of jeans tumbled out, followed by socks, underwear, a toothbrush, and one smooth stone.
    â€œYer father’s, I take it?” Gideon stepped closer and picked up the pale rock, running a thumb over its creamy surface. He laid it in the palm of his hand to examine it. His skin showed dimly through its translucent edges.
    â€œYup.” Finn stuffed the shirts and jeans into one of the drawers of the dresser standing in the corner. “I mean, yes, sir,” he said over a shoulder. Yes, sir. No, sir. How high, sir? “Did you know my dad and mom?”
    â€œI dinna. Although I heard Fergus MacCullen was one of the finest hunters of his time.” Gideon placed the stone on the nightstand and sat down on the foot of the bed. He gestured toward the remaining objects scattered across the faded, but clean, comforter. ‘“Twas all ye brought?”
    â€œIt’s all I got.”
    â€œNine children, eh? Ye’re fortunate to have yer own toothbrush.”
    Finn made a face. “Eww Gross!” He scooped his up and headed to the bathroom.
    Gideon called after him. “After ye’re done here, we’ll make plans about tomorrow morning. I’m assuming yer aunt and uncle won’t be attending yer ceremony?”
    Finn shrugged as he returned. “We could just skip it if you want. It’s no big deal.”
    â€œFinnegan MacCullen, turning thirteen and becoming an apprentice is a big deal , as ye put it. Ye’re following the ancient path of the Tuatha De Danaan, warriors who have fought the long fight against the Amandán for thousands of years.” He tapped the gold tore around his neck for emphasis. “Do not minimize these first steps on yer journey.”
    â€œWhat’s a two-a-day dhanna? ”
    Gideon’s eyebrows shot up. “Why, ‘tis the ancient Celtic name of our kind. The Fey. The Host of the Hills. The Fair Folk.”
    â€œOh, yeah, I forgot. Uncle Owen usually just said our people ”
    The Knight started to speak, then stopped and pointed to the wooden chair by the small desk. “Sit, boyo. We need to talk.”
    â€œAbout the ceremony?” Finn asked, tilting the chair and balancing back on two legs. He lowered the chair with a thump at Gideon’s frown.
    â€œNo. About the falsehood ye gave when I first asked how ye got here. Dishonesty is something I’ll not tolerate. We may have to bend the truth from time to time around mortals, but we do not lie to each other. Under any circumstances.” His eyes bore into