Read Online Finn Finnegan by Darby Karchut - Free Book Online

Amandán, it doesn’t kill them. But we can die from any weapon, right?”
    The Knight nodded. “Whatever kills a mortal can kill us. Except our powers and our training make us just a wee bit more difficult to destroy. Always remember this, Finn.” He tapped his tore for emphasis. “In spite of being part human, ye come from an ancient line of warriors.”
    Finn studied the Knight’s gold collar. “How old were you when you fought your first Amandán one-on-one?”
    â€œOh, ‘tis certain I was much, much older than ye before I earned this. No need to rush, boyo. There are more than enough goblins. I’ll be sure to save one for ye.”
    â€œOkay.” Finn smiled, and then asked, “So, is there anything that can actually kill an Amandán?”
    â€œI only know of one weapon. A mythical one at that. The Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan.”
    â€œWho has it? Where is it?”
    â€œOh, it’s been lost for centuries upon centuries. If it ever really existed. Supposedly, it can only be wielded by a De Danaan, and its touch is deadly to the Amandán. The beasties have always feared it might found again. Ironically, it is also called—” Gideon paused at the sound of his apprentice’s stomach growling.
    â€œI think I’m feeling better now.” Finn swung his legs off the bed. He started to rise when Gideon put out a hand.
    â€œOh, no, ye don’t, boyo. Ye’re to take it easy for the rest of the afternoon. I’ll bring ye a tray. And then we’ll finish our chat.”
    Settling back, Finn clasped his hands behind his head. “You know, I could get used to this. How about breakfast in bed tomorrow?”
    â€œNot bleedin’ likely,” the Knight murmured as he stood and left the room.

Nine
    Humming under his breath, Gideon selected a pear from the basket on the counter and added it to the luncheon tray before heading out of the kitchen and across the living room. As he reached the foot of the stairs, a heavy blow rattled the front door, followed by a second one.
    â€œYe gods, he’s going to knock me house down one day,” Gideon muttered good-humoredly. He walked over and rested the tray across the wooden crate. He smiled as he opened the door.
    â€œMac Roth,” he said to the bearded man standing on the porch. “ Fáilte ” Gideon clasped the man’s forearm in greeting, then ushered him inside.
    â€œA fine day to ye, Lit” The man ducked as he entered, his wild mane of red hair a scant inch from the ceiling. A head taller than Gideon, his bulk filled the small space as he glanced down at the tray. “Am I interrupting yer lunch, now?” He shrugged out of his leather jacket and tossed it over one of the coat hooks. A thick chest and shoulders strained the seams of a faded sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan “Fighting Irish Is Redundant”.
    â€œNo, not at all. I’ve a battered apprentice upstairs.”
    â€œApparently.” Mac Roth nodded toward the dried bloodstain on the sleeve of Gideon’s denim shirt. “And how is young Finnegan?”
    â€œCome, and I’ll introduce ye.” Gideon picked up the tray and led the way upstairs. “The lad’s been with me for scarcely a week, and he’s already had two engagements with the Amandán.”
    â€œWhy, then it’s true.” Mac Roth followed, the steps protesting at his bulk.
    â€œWhat’s true?”
    â€œThe rising number of attacks along the eastern side of the Rockies, especially here in High Springs.”
    â€œDoes anyone know why?”
    â€œIona has a theory—”
    â€œThat sorceress,” Gideon scoffed over a shoulder.
    â€œSorceress she may be, but she knows as much about the Amandán as any of us.”
    â€œAll she’ll do is confound us with vague prophecies from those ancient texts of hers, and then step aside as we De Danaan battle