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her favorites growing up there.”
    Gideon’s face darkened. “They’re checking up on you, aren’t they?” He pointed his fork at Finn’s hands wrapped in fresh bandages. “And that’s just the sort of damage that will send Rufus and Susanna Steel racing each other to the phone to call Human Services on me again.”
    Finn swallowed another mouthful. “I wish we could just tell them the truth. That all my injuries are from training and hunting.” He looked up at his master. “I don’t like them thinking that about you.”
    â€œNor do I. But we cannot control others’ thoughts about us. All we can and should worry about are our own actions.” He took a sip of tea. “However, I cannot fault their motivation. It is decent of them to show concern for a neighbor boy.”
    Finn nodded absently. A horrible thought crowded his mind. He tried to ignore it by taking a gulp of juice, but the thought wouldn’t stop poking at him. He peered across the table. Almost afraid to ask. Afraid not to ask.
    â€œHey, Gideon? What would happen to me if…”
    â€œIf what?”
    â€œIf you got…you know. On a hunt or something.” Finn made a vague movement with one hand.
    â€œIf I what?”
    â€œGot hurt…or…or…killed.” Saying the words aloud made the hairs on his arms stand at attention.
    â€œOh, I see.” Gideon nodded in understanding. “I should have spoken with you weeks ago about this, but I didn’t want to stir up memories of your parents.”
    â€œâ€˜S’kay—they died a long time ago.” He shifted in the chair. “So?” he said, returning to the subject at hand.
    â€œWell, now, if something were to happen to me, Mac Roth stands ready to apprentice you. As I stood ready with young Asher, and as I will with Lochlan.” He picked up the mug and studied Finn over the rim. “Worried about it, were you?”
    Finn shrugged.
    The telephone rang. As Gideon rose to answer it, Finn fingered the torc around his neck. I wonder if my mom and dad would be proud of me. I think they would. I hope so .
    â€œRight. I’ll be there directly.” Gideon hung up the phone. “Mac Roth’s Jeep’s battery is dead. He needs a jump. While I’m gone, you’re to wash the dishes…”
    â€œGee, what a surprise there,” he muttered under his breath.
    Gideon ignored him. “And then thirty minutes of target practice with both knife and dagger.”
    Finn made a face. “Boooring.” After a moment, he brightened. “How about instead I practice on the stabbing dummy? I bet Rafe would come over and run it for me.”
    â€œOut of a dozen throws, how many times can you hit the bullseye?”
    â€œSeven.”
    Gideon raised an eyebrow.
    â€œTwo?”
    Another eyebrow went up.
    â€œFine.” Finn grumbled to his dirty plate. “Looks like I’ll be doing target practice.”
    â€œAye, it does.” Gideon checked his pocket for the keys. “Do not leave the yard for any reason or you’ll be spending the rest of your long apprenticeship tied to a short leash.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Finn followed his master out the front door and around to the driveway. He helped him load his tools and extra jumper cables into the bed of the truck. With a nod of thanks, Gideon clambered into the cab and drove away in a cloud of blue smoke, the engine rumbling in protest.
    â€œHey, Finn,” called a voice.
    He squinted into the morning sun as he looked across the street. A smile spread across his face at the sight of Rafe Steel, walking toward him.
    â€œWhat happened?” Rafe pointed to Finn’s bandages.
    â€œHunting accident.” Finn’s eyes widened as he noticed the object in the other boy’s hand. “What are you doing with that?”
    â€œI was going to go into the woods behind your house to work with