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

Bel bent, suddenly, and left a cool kiss on Oisin’s forehead. “Go, and enjoy the sunlight. Stay the whole day if you wish. I only ask that you come back once the sun has set.”


“I will.” Oisin looked at Bel for a long moment, trying to find something else to say, then simply said, “Goodbye,” and turned. A moment later he was through the tingling strangeness of the door and out in the bright light of the morning sun. He tipped his head back to its warmth and just stood there for a long time. The light was good, very good, after so long in the dark.


Chapter 22