For years now the harvest has been less than it should be. Last year the people of Oisin's village sacrificed a goat, but their god did not come. Now, in desperation, a human sacrifice has been suggested, and Oisin, recently orphaned and feeling life is not worth living, volunteers. But the god Belinos is not quite what he seems, and Oisin's sacrifice will not be what he expects, for Belinos first came out of the darkness to drink the sacrificial blood not because he was a god, but because he was a vampire. This is just the beginning of the changes to Oisin's life, as he is drawn further and further into a world of gods and magic, where the most unexpected thing is not even his own blossoming talent, but the blossoming feelings he has for Belinos. Love between mortal and immortal is not without its difficulties, though. As outright war among the gods threatens, Oisin will end up making a far greater difference in the conflict than he could ever have dreamed possible.

The Sacrifice

There were a lot of them, though, and it was difficult to choose.


His mind kept wandering as well, running over recent events time and time again. Bel’s hand stopping the knife. The feel of his arms as he carried Oisin away. Rhianna’s dangerous smile. Bel’s small, rare smiles.


His world had changed very swiftly, and he felt that the changes weren’t over yet.


Setting the book aside for now, Oisin looked around the seemingly empty room where he’d spent the night, which was now apparently his. Bel had said that if he needed anything he need only say it aloud and the house sprites would hear. Hesitantly he lifted his head, looking around the room, and said, “Excuse me? I would like to go outside for a little bit, please, but I don’t know the way.”


Chapter 8