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

Aware that he probably shouldn’t be watching but unable to keep from doing so, Oisin kept silent and still, merely following Bel with his eyes as he halted at the eaves of the forest. He waited there for a time, and at length a flicker of silver power emerged from the trees, drifting like a will o’ the wisp. And like a will o’ the wisp it drew something after it, for a large doe stepped out of the trees behind it, her eyes nearly closed, as if she walked in her sleep.


Bel stepped up to her as she came to a halt. He was so very tall that the doe looked tiny in comparison. He went to one knee beside her, and his hands stroked along her coat gently.


Chapter 14