Finn Finnegan Read Free Page A

Finn’s. “Do so again, Finnegan MacCullen, and ye’ll find yerself suffering the consequences. Now, do we understand each other?”
    Finn gulped. “Yes, sir.”
    With a curt nod, Gideon rose. “Finish unpacking, then downstairs with ye.”
    â€œYes, sir.” He waited until Gideon left, then walked over to the bed and flopped back on it. Every bone in his body sagged with exhaustion from sneaking out of his uncle’s house before dawn, making his way to the highway on foot, then spending an hour on the shoulder working up the courage to stick out his thumb for a ride. He blew out a long breath.
    I can’t believe he’s letting me stay , he thought, staring up at the ceiling. His eyes traced a crack in the plaster. And that he didn’t send me away because I’ma halfer .
    Rolling to his side, Finn gazed at the stone on the nightstand. He reached over and grabbed it, rattling it around in his cupped hand, its shape as familiar to him as his own face. I can’t wait to see it light up and show everyone that I’m De Danaan, too . Clutching it in his fist, he pressed it against his chest. I hope I remember all the words to the Song . He squeezed his eyes shut and began chanting the first line.
    And dozed off.
    Two hours later, Finn jerked awake. Squinting, he looked around the unfamiliar room bathed in afternoon light. His glance fell on the clock next to the bed.
    â€œOh, no,” he moaned. He rolled off the rumpled cover and shot out of the room. Running down the stairs, he stumbled when he missed the bottom step. Recovering, he flung himself into the living room. “Sorry about that,” he panted. “I fell asleep.”
    â€œApparently.” Gideon closed his book with a snap and tossed it on the desk before him; his chair creaked as he sat back. “The next time I tell ye to do something, boyo, I expect instant obedience. It may save yer arse one day.” Swiveling around, he pointed to a stool close by.
    â€œYes, sir.” Finn sank down, his eyes wary. As he waited, he picked at a frayed hole in his jeans, aware of Gideon silently examining his worn clothing and too-long hair.
    â€œNervous, are ye?” the Knight asked after a long minute.
    â€œActually, I’m good.” Finn plastered a fake grin on his face.
    â€œActually, ye’re a bold liar. There ye sit, yer mind filled with the horror stories about us tyrannical Knights, and how we train our apprentices with long hours and brutal expectations. Am I right?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe.”
    Gideon leaned forward, their knees almost touching. “Well, the tales ye’ve been told are all true, Finnegan MacCullen.” His hands shot out, capturing the boy’s in a grip of iron.
    Finn gasped. He wobbled on the stool, heart in his throat. The rough calluses on Gideon’s fingers scraped against the inside of his wrists. He tried to pull away, but the Knight tightened his grip.
    â€œBe warned, young De Danaan,” Gideon said, his voice deepening as he spoke. “‘Twill be years of misery ahead of ye. Ye’ll train, day and night, heat and cold, until ye weep from exhaustion. Ye’ll master every stroke and parry of the knife and dagger in order to defend yerself against our mortal enemy, the Amandán. And ye’ll learn, ye will, the long history of our people.”
    They stared at each other, Finn conscious of his pulse pounding under Gideon’s fingertips. After a moment, the Knight let go and sat back.
    â€œAnd if ye manage to survive yer apprenticeship, then ye’ll be a true warrior of the Tuatha De Danaan.”
    Finn blinked, not sure what to say. He jumped when Gideon abruptly rose.
    â€œNow, to yer first task.” Gideon led the way to the front door, pausing to snag the tin pail from the wooden crate. “Here. Ye’ll need this.”
    â€œWhat’s it for?”
    â€œOne of yer many chores will be