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need your permission to come along or not. And she doesn’t like being talked about in the third person.” Savannah pushed between them and strolled around the side of the house to the back yard.
    The boys looked at each for a moment. “Guess she told us,” Finn said. Grinning at each other, they followed in her wake, sashaying along as they mimicked her walk.
    Unaware of the crow perched on the roof of Gideon’s house.

Seven
    â€œO h, wow.” Savannah looked around the yard at the various training implements. A target was nailed to the side of the house, its red and blue circles almost worn invisible from thousands of knife throws. In one corner, a punching bag hung from a tree. “What’s that thing?” she asked, pointing at the twin posts stuck in the middle of the yard. A burlap sack dangled from a cable stretched between them. Balled-up newspaper peeked out from several rents in the fabric.
    â€œPractice dummy. You try stabbing it while another person pulls on the rope to make it move around.”
    â€œLooks like fun.” Walking closer, she tugged on the guy rope, jiggling the bag. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Are there any Tuatha De Danaan women hunters? Or is it just the men?”
    â€œA few. Traditionally, it’s mostly the men. But my mom was a pretty good hunter, even though she was half mortal. At least, that’s what my aunt and uncle told me.”
    â€œIs that how she died?”
    â€œRafe, don’t ask him that,” Savannah hissed under her breath.
    â€œNo, it’s okay,” Finn said. “Yeah. She got killed on a hunt with my dad when I was five. I…um…I better get you those knives,” he said, glad to escape further questions.
    Once inside, he headed toward the living room to the weapons rack. Taking a stance in front of the stone fireplace, he chewed on the inside of his cheek as he studied the various blades. He dismissed the long dagger hanging dead center in a place of honor. It sported a deer antler handle, and a swirling pattern was etched along its blade. Nah, too big; anyway, it’s Gideon’s prized favorite . After a long minute, he selected two smaller knives with simple handles. Okay, they should be able to keep these hidden under their clothes . He turned to leave when his eyes fell on Gideon’s journal lying open on the desk.
    For a moment, he stood frozen in the middle of the room. He craned his neck as he tried to see if he could spot his name on either page. I wonder what he writes in it. Hmmm—he wouldn’t know if I just sneaked a look. I mean, it’s not my fault he left it open . When he inched closer, he noticed the lower half of what looked like an old-fashioned postcard, hand-painted and wrapped in plastic, sticking out between the last page and the back cover. He started to reach for the picture.
    A shout of warning, followed by a scream, rent the air.
    â€œOh, crap.” Racing across the house with the knives still clutched in one hand, he burst through the back door. A crow hovered overhead. Its caw-caw scratched at his ears.
    Still standing by the posts, the twins stared across the yard. An Amandán peered over the back wall at them, its muzzle dripping saliva. It snarled when it spotted Finn closing in.
    â€œYou better get your ugly face out of here, or else.” Finn took a stand between his friends and the goblin.
    â€œOr else what?”
    â€œOr else I improve it by sticking a knife between your eyes.”
    â€œWhy not just cuts your hands and poison me with your blood? Like you did to me mates?” It glared at him through piggy eyes.
    â€œDon’t tempt me.”
    The goblin spat at him. “ Bah . The sooner we kills you, the better. And your friends, too.” It smacked its lips. “I likes me a side dish or two.”
    â€œYe dinna have the luck last night, now, did ye?” Finn fired back, trying to mimic his