Finn Finnegan (13 page)

Finn stumbled as he missed a step. “F-fey rings?”

Savannah nodded, the beads in her hair clicking softly. “They're also called fairy rings. They're found in Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. They're these big circles in the dirt where no vegetation grows. Just bare soil. Some are about a yard across, some are a lot bigger. With kind of an ashy dirt. My grandfather has this old friend, Padraic O'Brien, who's been a safari guide for years and
he
says that the local people believe the fey rings are made by some sort of supernatural creatures.”

Reaching the deserted pavilion, all three paused in the shade. The boys perched on the top of one of the picnic tables, while Savannah took a seat on the bench, facing them.

“What do
you
think made them?” Finn asked.

“I don't know. But Mr. O'Brien said once…” Her voice trailed off.

“Said what?”

“Well, that they look like…like blast zones. Like something exploded on those spots.”

Rafe snorted. “O'Brien's weird. I don't know why Grandfather hangs out with him.”

Finn frowned. “Why do you say that?”

“Well, for one thing, he never looks like he's getting any older. And he never goes anywhere, and I mean
anywhere
, without a knife. And he and Grandfather are always exploring those caves in the foothills by his house.”

“Well, I think he's cool.” Savannah's eyes flashed.

“That's because he tells you all those myths from around the world, and you're such a baby that you still believe in fairies and unicorns and talking animals.” Rafe laughed at his sister's mortification. “Oh, yeah. And elves.” He turned to Finn. “You should have seen her when the
Lord of the Rings
movies came out.” He jerked his knee out of the way as Savannah swung her fist at his leg.

“Shut up, Rafe! I don't
believe
in them. I just think legends like that are…are interesting. Like the stories of Anansi the African trickster. He does all these…”

“Man, stop her before she hurts herself,” Rafe muttered under his breath.

Finn faked a laugh, his mind whirling.
I'll bet my tore that: Padraic O'Brien is a Tuatha De Danaan. And their grandfather knows it
. He blinked as Rafe slapped him on the back.

“Come on. I hear a purple slush drink calling my name.”

With a nod, Finn hopped down and started across the park, the other two lagging behind as Rafe continued teasing his sister. Reaching a broad stand of trees, Finn followed the shadow-dappled path into it as it dipped down into a hollow, the terrain muting traffic noise and the sounds of the distant neighborhood. He turned a corner, then stopped and looked back as he waited for the twins to appear.
Maybe Gideon would let me be friends with them if he knew their grandfather knows about the De Danaan? Talk about the luck of the Irish—. I thought stuff like this only happened in books or movies
.

A dark shape dropped past him. It stroked his arm with the tip of its wing before landing on the trail. Finn let out a yelp and jumped sideways. His skin crawled as he stared at the crow. The crow stared back, its head cocked to one side. It gave a harsh caw, then heaved itself back into the air and disappeared into the canopy. A single ebony feather floated down.

“Oh, crap.” Finn reached behind himself for his knife. He groaned when his fingers closed on nothing.
Okay, don't panic
. He swiveled around as he tried to scan the woods on either side. Twigs snapped and leaves crunched. A heavy figure suddenly stepped from the trees a few yards in front of him and blocked the path.

“Oh, hello, dear. I'm so sorry if I frightened you. I was just looking for my dog.” The pudgy, middle-aged woman, dressed in a jogging outfit, held up a leash and gave it a shake, jingling the clip. “He ran off.” She began walking toward him.

Finn backed away, his heart pounding so hard he could feel himself shake.
How am I supposed to know if it's a goblin or not? The Amandán could be anywhere nearby, and this is just some lady. My moonstone doesn't work. I don't have a knife. And even if I did, I can't go around sticking people with it, just to see if they're Amandán or not
. The thoughts careened through his head as he tried to keep a safe distance from the woman.

At that moment, Rafe and Savannah stepped around the far corner, waving their arms and yelling at each other as they approached. Finn glanced over his shoulder, then back at the woman. Is she, or isn't she?

The woman smiled. Her grin stretched wider and wider across her face, as if the corners of her mouth were trying to meet each other around the back of her head. She dropped the leash. With a shudder, she began twisting and contorting. Her jogging outfit melted into a shaggy green pelt. Glancing past Finn's shoulder, the Amandán let out a rough guffaw

“Good pickings today—fey
and
man flesh.” Without warning, it lunged at him, both hands reaching for his face. “
Poc sidhe
!”

Finn leaped backward just in time. He dodged around the Amandán as it lunged for him again.
I got to keep it away from Rafe and Savannah!
He dove for a fallen branch lying on the ground. Rolling to his feet, he came up swinging and aimed a blow at the goblin's head. The branch whistled through empty air as the Amandán ducked.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spied the Steels standing almost nose to nose, still arguing, unaware of the goblin. The Amandán laughed. With one last glance at his friends, Finn threw the branch at his foe. “Come and get me, ugly,” he shouted, then turned and plunged into the woods.

Branches lashed at Finn as he tore through the underbrush, one arm bent before his face, shielding his eyes. The tore bounced against his collar bone. Dead vegetation crunched underfoot, almost drowning out the Amandán's raspy breathing as it chased after him. Not daring to look back, he angled further away from the path. Once, he stumbled when he snagged his toes on an exposed root. Wind-milling his arms, he managed to stay on his feet. He cried out as the creature's fingers snagged the back of his tee shirt. With a desperate lunge, he jerked free.

Wheezing for air, he burst out of the copse of trees and raced across the adjoining soccer field. The thud of pursuing feet echoed the pounding of his heart. His legs and lungs burning, he began chanting. “‘I am a wind on the sea'.” Each syllable was a puff of air.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, swiftness poured into his legs like a river in springtime flood. Lengthening his stride, he sped up, the goblin's footsteps fading behind him. As he flew along, the wind blew his hair off his forehead. He laughed from relief and risked a peek backwards.

And tripped over a sprinkler head.

Finn slammed, shoulder first, into the ground, one arm twisted beneath him. Searing pain shot along his wrist. Breathless from the hurt, he rolled over. He scrabbled backward on his elbows and heels, certain the goblin was right on top of him. Panting, he looked around.

The park was empty.

“Finn!”

His pulse thundering in his ears, Finn shook his hair out of his eyes. The twins ran toward him, Savannah in the lead, braids flying. Holding his wrist, he staggered to his feet just as they skidded to a halt in front of him.

“What the heck was that all about?” Rafe said. “We thought we saw someone chasing you through the trees.”

Savannah looked around. “Yeah, and where'd they go?”

Cradling his left arm, Finn shrugged, then grimaced, the injured limb protesting the movement. “Aw, it was just some lady. She said she lost her dog and then she freaked out and started running after me.”

“Well, maybe she thought you had it, or something.” Rafe shook his head. “But talk about overreacting.”

Savannah narrowed her eyes as she studied Finn's face and the way he held his arm. “You look kinda pale. Well, more pale than usual. Maybe Mom should check your wrist. You might have sprained it, or even broken it.”

Ignoring the throbbing pain, Finn let go of his arm. “Naw, I'm good. It's feeling better already.” He leaned over and brushed the grass off his jeans with his good hand, trying to act nonchalant,
Last thing I need is Dr. Steel fussing over me. She'd probably tell Gideon and then all you-know-what would break loose
. He checked his watch. “Look, I better get back. I need to finish some stuff. Um … thanks anyway. I'll see you around.”

Without waiting for an answer, Finn turned and headed home.
Maybe this is why Gideon didn't want me to have humans as friends
, he thought as he walked along, his wrist aching more and more with every step.
I just put them in danger. Made them targets for the goblin, too. Still, it would've been nice to get to hang out with Rafe once in a while
.

After a few yards, he tensed at the swish of running feet behind him. Before he could turn around, Rafe and Savannah had caught up with him. They slowed and flanked him on either side.

“Not so fast.” Rafe thumped Finn on the shoulder, ignoring his gasp of pain. He strolled along, matching Finn's stride “Do you really think we're going to let you walk home alone after some crazy lady chases you clear across the park?”

“And with a possible broken wrist,” Savannah added. “Sorry, Finn, but we're not buying your tough guy routine.” She smiled up at him.

He ducked his head and grinned.

“Later!” After a final wave, Finn hurried up the walk to his house. Unlocking the door one-handed, he slipped inside and nudged it closed with his heel. He wiped the sweat off his forehead in relief.
Ye gods, talk about relentless. Good thing I finally convinced Savannah that I was okay
.

I don't think it's broken, but it sure hurts like heck
. He tried moving it, hissing at the stabbing pain shooting up his arm.
What am I going to tell Gideon?

He walked into the living room. Toeing off his shoes, he kicked them aside and flopped onto the worn sofa. With a groan, he slouched further down and stared at the stone fireplace.

Three times
, he thought.
That's three times I've been ambushed by an Amandán. Is that normal? If I ask Gideon about it, then he'll know I took off with Rafe and Savannah
.

Lifting his eyes, he gazed at the weapons above the mantel.
I've got to come up with some way of telling Amandán from mortals
. Digging into a pocket with his good hand, he slipped out his father's stone and held it up between thumb and forefinger as he gazed at its creamy surface.

“Ye know, it would be bleedin' helpful if ye worked for me.” Making a face, he tucked it away.
Great
, he thought, glancing at the Knight's desk tucked in the corner.
Now, I'm starting to
sound
like him
.

With a weary sigh, he toppled over onto his right side. Curling up, he shoved a pillow against his stomach and rested the injured arm on it, then closed his eyes.
I'm glad I was able to lead it away from Rafe and Savannah. I've got be careful around them. Especially with the increasing attacks. No matter what, I'm carrying my knife next time I'm with them
. He yawned, then smiled to himself as his eyes shut.
And there'll be a next time
.