As the Tuatha De Danaan stepped into the yard, the porch light flicked on. Emerging from the shadow of the house, Rufus and Susanna Steel hurried toward them, Rufus keeping the barrel of his gun pointed toward the ground. An older man, his white hair and beard in sharp contrast to his black skin, followed with the twins in tow.
Walking beside the other Knight, Gideon glanced over when Finn stirred and murmured something to Mac Roth.
“I said, put me down,” Finn repeated weakly, “before anyone sees me.”
“A bit late for that. But, if you insist.” Mac Roth let him down.
Finn promptly folded to the ground. As Gideon knelt beside him, everyone began talking at once. Susanna Steel, a black medical bag in one hand, squeezed through the throng and joined the pair. Untroubled by the wet grass, she took a knee and studied them, her eyes darting from the cut on Gideon’s head to the bruises on Finn’s face.
“Which one of you is injured the worst?”
Master and apprentice pointed to each other.
* * *
For the next hour, Gideon’s home was packed with people talking and eating. As Gideon and Mac Roth explained the evening’s events to the adults in the living room, Finn, Lochlan, and the twins worked their way through a platter of brown bread and jam at the kitchen table. While the others drank juice or water, Finn gulped a large glass of sláinte nettle tea. After a while, the older man joined them.
“This is our grandfather, Joseph Nyeta.” Savannah looped an arm through her grandfather’s when he took a seat next to her. “Grandfather, this is Finnegan MacCullen and Lochlan O’Neill.” She hastily added before Finn could speak, “Oh, yeah. And he goes by Finn, not Finnegan.”
Mr. Nyeta inclined his head, his smile as warm as the sun. “I have been eager to meet you. And your young friend, too,” he said, his accent more pronounced than Mrs. Steel’s.
“Céad mile fáilte,” Finn replied.
“Ah, the formal Gaelic greeting.” Mr. Nyeta beamed. “My friend back in South Africa would be pleased to hear it from the lips of youth—Padraic O’Brien sends greetings to his American brothers. And I wish to thank you for saving my grandchildren’s lives. How fortunate they are to have warriors of the Tuatha De Danaan nearby in time of need.”
“Well, they wouldn’t have been in danger at all if it weren’t for me.” Finn took another sip. He melted into his chair as the healing potion began to ease the aches and pains.
“We do not know that.” Mr. Nyeta waved a hand in dismissal. “In return for the great gift of their lives, I wish to do something for you.”
“You already have.” At Mr. Nyeta’s look of confusion, Finn continued. “You told Mr. and Mrs. Steel the truth about me and Gideon. Now, they won’t think he hurts me or anything.”
“Ah, yes.” The grandfather leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers.
Finn noticed he wore a lion’s hair bracelet like Rafe’s around one wrist. I wonder if he got that hunting a lion. For real. He focused his attention back when Mr. Nyeta continued.
“Rafe explained his father’s fears for you. My son-in-law is a good man. He sought only to protect a child. If more people were willing to step forward to right injustice, this world would be a better place. I believe now he understands your injuries were from the hunt, not from abuse.”
Rafe frowned. “Hey, Grandfather, did you give me that spear with the bronze point because you knew there were Amandán nearby?”
“I must confess, yes. O’Brien became aware of rumors about the Spear and the increased attacks from the Amandán in Colorado. Knowing my daughter and family lived here, he urged me to provide you with that weapon on the slightest of chances you might have need of it. I had no idea it would travel so far and end up in the hands of a Tuatha De Danaan.” He draped an arm over Savannah’s shoulder. “And perhaps, I should have given my granddaughter a weapon as well.” He hugged her. “Forgive my old-fashioned way of thinking.”
“Aw, that’s okay, Grandfather. At least Rafe had his spear.”
“And it saved our butts,” Lochlan added.
“Inelegant, but true.” Gideon stepped into the kitchen, followed by Mac Roth and the Steels. “It helped save all our lives this evening.”
“Savannah, Rafe, time to go. Finn will be here tomorrow.” Mrs. Steel ushered her protesting children toward the front door. Mr. Nyeta followed, after promising to visit more with the Knights. Rufus Steel lingered.
“Gideon.” The man held out his hand. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Why, you were only trying to protect Finn.” The Knight shook hands, then clapped Rufus Steel on the shoulder. “How can I fault you for that?”
“I’ll contact the Department of Human Services tomorrow and straighten everything out.” With a friendly nod, he left the kitchen. A moment later, he stuck his head back in. “By the way, Gideon, that’s one impressive nugget you’ve got on your desk. You might want to put it somewhere more secure. Like a safe deposit box.” He left again.
“Did he mean that piece of iron pyrite Rafe gave me?” Finn asked.
Gideon shrugged. “I didn’t think fool’s gold was worth anything.”
“Come, Lochlan.” Mac Roth gestured to his apprentice. “Time we made our way home as well.” Mac Roth shook a finger at Gideon and Finn as they rose from the table. “Try to stay out of trouble for the next twenty-four hours, eh?”
“No kidding.” Lochlan swatted Finn in the stomach as he walked past. Finn winced. “I see why we need to keep your little secret a secret. It sure causes the rest of us a buttload of problems.” With a grin, he trailed his master out the front door.
Fifteen minutes later, Finn crawled into bed. Every bruise and cut continued to throb, even after a hot shower and another drink of potion. He wiggled around, trying to find the spot with the fewest number of bruises.
I wonder what we’re going to do about our truck. Maybe Gideon can fix it. Probably. He can fix anything. He flexed his hands, wincing at the healing cuts. And what about Iona? Is she going to come after us again? I wonder what’s stopping her from just attacking us here?
With a wince, he reached for the lamp. Before he could turn it off, Gideon stuck his head in.
“Codladh sumh, Finn.”
“Hey, Gideon?” He waited until the Knight walked over and took a seat on the edge of the mattress. “Can Iona just…you know…appear anywhere she wants?”
“No, not really. Remember, her magic is of the earth—hence her name, Iona of the Hills. And it’s why she must use raw gold as a supplement to her power. She can only appear and disappear in the region she has tainted with her enchantment. Back in our ancient home, she was quite powerful. But outside of it, she must rely heavily on the magic of gold. The farther from Ireland, the weaker her power.”
“What about inside our house? Can she show up here anytime she wants?” “No, boyo. She must be formally invited inside before she can invade. But once invited, she is free to come and go at will.”
“Like a vampire.”
Gideon snorted. “Vampires are mythical creatures. They do not exist, except in tales.”
“Werewolves? Zombies? Bigfoot?”
“Not likely.”
“Dragons?”
“We should be so lucky.”
“Leprechauns?”
“And just what kind of Irish lad are ye not to believe in the wee people?” Gideon’s accent filled Finn with an odd sense of…home. “Next, ye’ll be telling me you dinna believe in the Fey?”
Master and apprentice grinned at each other.
The too-quiet of the house woke Finn the next morning. He started to roll over, then yelped when every bone and muscle in his body screamed at him. What the bleedin’ ‘ell do ye think yer doing, asking us to move? He rolled his eyes, realizing that his body spoke to him in an Irish accent.
Spying a folded paper with large letters that read FINN—READ THIS on the bedside table, he gingerly reached for it. I’m going with Ma
c Roth to see about the truck, as well as something else. Will explain when I return. G.
Easing out of bed, Finn made his way slowly to the bathroom, his bladder reminding him of just how much sláinte nettle tea he had downed last night. He grimaced when he looked in the mirror. “Ye gods, I look like crap.” Several gashes crisscrossed his face, while a blue-green bruise darkened his left jaw. He leaned closer. “And when did I get a black eye?” He tried to lift his puffy right eyelid, but it would only open halfway. His gaze drifted downward. Bruises decorated his ribs and chest. No wonder I hurt all over.
He finished his business, pulled on a clean T-shirt and cargo shorts, and headed barefooted downstairs. Midmorning sun already streamed through the living room windows. He idly glanced at his master’s desk. The lump of iron pyrite was gone. Something about it niggled at him. He paused, trying to figure it out, then shrugged.
After pouring a bowl of cold cereal, he carried it out to the front porch. Lowering himself by inches, he took a seat on the middle step, munching contentedly and saving the green marshmallow clovers to enjoy last. The sun’s warmth soothed his face, and the wooden tread under his bare feet had just the right amount of scratchiness. He smiled as he looked over at the Steels’ house. What an insane night. Wonder if Rafe is up yet?
A police car turned the corner of the street, followed by another car. He lifted another spoonful to his mouth as both vehicles drove closer. He froze as they stopped in front of his house. A man, dressed in an “I mean business” business suit, climbed out of the sedan, followed by a woman similarly attired.
Ms. Ubarri.
Son of a goat. The image of his battered face in the mirror flashed through his mind.
“Hello, Finn.” Ms. Ubarri walked around the front of the car and over to the gate. Unlatching it, she strode toward him. The man followed behind, a folder in one hand. Identification badges dangled from their suit lapels. “Do you remember me? I’m Ms. Ubarri. We spoke a few weeks ago.”
Thirty-Three
“What do you want?” Finn set his bowl to one side. The cereal became a sugar bomb in his gut, threatening to go off at the slightest provocation. He glanced past them at the policewoman waiting by her squad car; she was speaking quietly into her radio. Wrenching his attention back to Ms. Ubarri, he stood up.
“We came by to check on…” Ms. Ubarri’s voice trailed off when she caught sight of the condition of his face. “Oh, my goodness!”
The man behind her cleared his throat. “You were right to do an unannounced visit—the evidence is clear. I’m just sorry we got here too late.” He opened the folder, pulled out a pen from his pocket, and wrote something. “We’ll need to remove him immediately from this environment.” He stopped writing and looked up. “Is your guardian home?”
“No.” Oh crap, I should have said yes. Finn took a step back on the porch. “But I’m not going anywhere with you.” His voice sounded distant over a thundering pulse.
“I know this seems frightening at the moment, Finn, but we’re here to help you.” Ms. Ubarri motioned at him. “Don’t worry about your clothes or things. We’ll collect them for you later, but you’ll need to come with us now.”
“Why?”
“Because living here is too dangerous for you. I know a nice family that will be happy for you to come stay with them. They’ll take good care of you and you’ll be safe with them.”
I’m safe with Gideon – he’s a Knight, for Danu’s sake, Finn wanted to shout at them. For some reason, the thought of his master’s nightly ritual of codladh sumh, the one that always embarrassed him and pleased him at the same time, flashed through his mind. And he takes care of me. In his own way.
Shaking his head, he inched backward, the tread creaking underfoot. Wild thoughts of how he was going to make a break for it ping-ponged inside his skull.
“This is a normal reaction,” the man said to Ms. Ubarri. “They usually resist at first. It’s alarming to go from a familiar environment to an unknown one, even if the familiar environment is a living nightmare for them. Here, hold this.” The man handed the folder to Ms. Ubarri and started up the steps.
* * *
Sitting on his bed, Rafe finished tying his shoes. He jerked at the sound of Finn’s scream of rage coming through the open window. Leaping to his feet, he rushed over and peered out.
Across the street, Finn clung to the iron gate with one hand while a man in a suit tugged on his other arm, trying to coax him loose. Nearby, a woman was speaking loudly, gesturing toward a car while a police officer hovered at the curb. As Rafe watched, Finn yelled again and shook his head, then glanced up at Rafe’s window, desperation in his face. Their eyes met.
Rafe whirled around and bolted from his room. “Dad!” He pounded down the stairs. “Dad, hurry!”
Rufus Steel tore out of the kitchen. “What?”
“Some people are taking Finn!” Rafe pulled up in surprise when Rufus Steel said a word he didn’t think his dad even knew. Father and son sped down the hallway and out the front door.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Rufus Steel called as he ran across the street. “And leave him be,” he ordered the man. Rafe waited a few feet away, not sure what to do.
Ms. Ubarri whirled around. She pointed to a tag dangling from her label. “Sir, we’re from the Department of Human Services. Please do not interfere with—”
“Let go of me, you jerk!” Finn thrashed side to side, scarlet with anger.
Rafe held his breath. Don’t lose it now, dude, he said silently to his friend. Last thing we need is a demonstration of the warp spasm.
“Just take it easy.” The man spoke through gritted teeth as he pulled harder. “For your own good, you need to come with us.”
“Look, everyone calm down.” Rufus Steel patted the air. “I’m Rufus Steel. You must be Ms. Ubarri—we spoke on the phone about this situation. I was going to call you this morning. I wanted to explain that I was wrong. There’s nothing going on here.” He looked past her at the man now trying to pry Finn’s fingers loose from the gate. “I said, let him go.” Stepping closer, Rufus Steel crowded the man. “You’re scaring him.” The man stopped pulling.
Shaking loose of the grip on his arm, Finn glared up at the man. “I’m not scared. I’m pissed off.”
“Mr. Steel, the proof of physical abuse is quite apparent.” Ms. Ubarri walked over, waving the folder. “We are required by law to remove any child we feel is in immediate danger. Judging by the cuts and bruises on this boy’s face, we—”
“He got those injuries when their vehicle was involved in an accident yesterday.”
“Do you have proof of that?” the man asked.
“Well, not exactly.” Rufus Steel hesitated, then turned to Finn. “You and Rafe go back to our house. I’ll straighten this out.”
Rafe grabbed Finn’s arm. His eyes widened at the tension humming through his friend. “Take it easy,” he murmured, dragging Finn away. “Come on. Dad’ll take care of this.” Rafe led the way across the street. He got Finn as far as the open front door before his friend dug in his heels.
“I’m not going with them,” Finn declared. He stood staring across the street. “I’ll run away if I have to.”
“It’ll be okay.” Not sure what to do, Rafe gestured toward the kitchen. “Want something to eat?”
Finn shook his head. His eyes were locked on the knot of adults waving their arms and arguing. With a sigh, Rafe took a stance beside his friend. His heart sank as his father ran a hand down his face in resignation, then glanced over at their house. “Rafe,” his dad called. “Wait inside. Finn, come here.”
* * *
On wooden legs, Finn walked back across the street, dimly aware of the sting of too-warm asphalt under his bare feet. Reaching the other side, he paused on the sidewalk by the front gate.
Rufus Steel waved Ms. Ubarri and the man away. “Give us a moment.” Finn tensed as the man turned his back on the pair. His black eyes filled with remorse as he put a h
and on Finn’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, son, but you’ll need to go with them. Just for a little while, until we can get this all straightened out.”
“No,” Finn said through stiff lips. “I’m going to stay here until Gideon gets back.”
“That’ll just make things worse.” Rufus Steel lowered his voice. “Gideon will be, well, difficult about it, and they’ll look at his reaction in the very worst possible light. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“You mean, he’ll fight them. To keep them from taking me,” he said hoarsely.
“You know he will.”
Finn swallowed a lump. “I don’t want to go with them.”
“I know.”
“Can I…can I stay with you?” He kept his eyes fixed somewhere near Rufus Steel’s elbow.
“Finn, I don’t know if they’ll allow that.”
“Please?” he whispered.
In desperation, Rufus Steel looked back over his shoulder. “Listen, what if Finn stayed with us instead of being placed in a foster home? My wife is a doctor, and I am a public school teacher. We would be thrilled to have him live with us. I’m home for the summer and can provide around-the-clock supervision. We’ll do whatever it takes to make this happen.”
Ms. Ubarri and the man looked at one another. Then the man shrugged. “That might be a possibility, Mr. Steel,” she said. “But it may take a few days. In the meantime, Finn will still need to come with us.” She opened the back door of the car. “Let’s go.”
Finn backed up a step, every nerve in his body screaming at him to run. Plans zigzagged through his head. “I am a wind on the sea,” he whispered in preparation. I’ll make for the empty lot, then head into the woods. Right. With no weapons and no shoes. Yeah. Good idea.
At that moment, Mac Roth’s red Jeep appeared around the corner.
Gideon leaned back in the passenger seat of Mac Roth’s Jeep as they drove along, trying to find a comfortable position for still-tender ribs. “I’m surprised the constable was able to meet us there so quickly this morning to fill out the report.” He glanced down at the paper in his hand and sighed. “A pity it’s a complete loss. Why, I’ve owned that vehicle for almost thirty years.”
Gideon's Spear Page 18
