Undone Deeds by Mark Del Franco Read Free Book Online Page A

you mean?” Leo asked.
    Briallen straightened. “He’s sleeping it off. Our bodies are stronger than humans; but we’re not invincible. He’s burned out and needs sleep to recharge himself. He’ll be fine when he wakes up.”
    I tried not to smile too much. “Druid teenagers do this all the time, Leo. They find out they can use essence, and they exhaust themselves playing around with it.”
    “I didn’t,” he said.
    I nodded toward Kevin. “You’re, what, almost fifteen years older than him? Kevin’s still a kid in druid terms. And do I have to remind you of someone who liked to run into walls for the hell of it when he discovered it didn’t hurt him?”
    Leo ducked his head, an embarrassed flush coming to his cheeks. “Okay, I get it. You’re sure he’s okay?”
    Briallen patted Leo on the shoulder. “Positive. What I don’t like is his using abilities without supervision. There’s a reason druids have formal training. This isn’t stuff to fool around with.”
    The relief on Murdock’s face slipped away at the sound of a door’s slammingdownstairs. Loud voices carried up the stairwell. “Let’s continue this conversation later,” Murdock said.
    Gerry Murdock stomped onto the landing, anger suffusing his face. I didn’t have to guess who had called Gerry. Faith hovered behind him, a slightly guilt-stricken look about her. “Get the hell out of my house,” he shouted.
    Leo walked onto the landing. “Calm down, Gerry. They were just leaving.”
    “What the hell were you thinking?” Gerry pushed past him, then shoved me aside. I bumped back against the dresser, cologne bottles and coins rattling, but resisted pushing back.
    “Watch it,” I said.
    Gerry turned from Kevin and leaned in my face. “What did you say?”
    I stared down at him. “I said ‘watch it.’”
    Briallen stepped next to me. “I don’t believe we’ve met, Officer Murdock. My name is….”
    He glared at her. “I know who the hell you are. You’re not welcome here either. Get out.”
    Briallen showed no fear, not that I expected her to. People like Gerry—even given his possible druid abilities—were child’s play for her. “I was asked here.”
    “Not by me,” he said. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Out.”
    “Gerry, knock it off. Kevin wasn’t waking up, so I called for help,” Leo said.
    “He’s fine. He just needs to sleep,” Gerry said.
    “How do you know that?” Briallen asked.
    He frowned at her. “None of your damned business. You people aren’t the only ones who know about this stuff.”
    “What does that mean?” I asked.
    He thrust his arm out toward the hall. “Leave. Now.”
    “I asked them here, Gerry. I don’t need your permission to invite people to my home. I live here, too,” Leo said.
    “Maybe that needs to change,” Gerry said.
    Leo pushed back into the room. “You got something to say?”
    Faith grabbed Leo’s arm. “Both of you, stop it.” She pointed at me. “Take your friend outside, now.”
    “Mind your business, Faith,” Gerry said.
    She stuck her finger in his face. “Shut it. This family is my business. We are not doing this in front of strangers. It’s over.”
    Briallen took my hand and pulled me into the hall. She said nothing as she led the way down the stairs and out the door. Leo came out a moment later. “I’m sorry about that.”
    Briallen rubbed his arm. “No need. He’s in pain, Leonard.”
    “Yeah, well, it has nothing to do with you,” he said.
    And everything to do with me. “I shouldn’t have come,” I said.
    Exasperated, Leo glanced up at the house. “I didn’t think Faith would rat me out. She usually is the one calming things down.”
    “I smelled essence on both of your brothers,” I said.
    Briallen nodded. “I did, too. If I’m not mistaken, it was essence-fire residue.”
    “Gerry’s right about one thing: We’re not the only ones who know how to teach about abilities. Have they been training with someone?” I