Gideon's Spear by Darby Karchut

surprise. “Back so soon, then?” He narrowed his eyes. “And I take it from the expression on your face that something is amiss?”
    â€œYeah.” Finn sighed. He looked down and picked at the healing scar on his palm.
    â€œCome, 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.
    â€œSo…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?”
    â€œI’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?”
    â€œAs 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.”
    â€œGo ahead, then.”
    â€œIn private.”
    â€œUnless 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—”
    â€œI got them during training,” Finn yelled, interrupting his master. “And while hunting!”
    â€œHunting 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.
    â€œThis is why being friends with—”
    â€œI 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.
    â€œFinnegan 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.
    â€œYes, sir?”
    â€œDo you know what happens to apprentices who are disrespectful to their masters?”
    â€œThey 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