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

Oisin felt a shiver go through him. Caydren’s lips seemed to burn against his, but he also felt the phantom of Bel’s cold kiss on his forehead. He couldn’t do this. He pulled back rapidly, nearly falling off the rock into the water. “Caydren, don’t!”


“Why not? I like you a lot, Oisin. I realized that when I thought I’d lost you. If you’re not afraid to be with another man…”


“It’s not a matter of fear!” Oisin got to his feet, frowning at Caydren, and stepped away from the stream. “It’s…I…I belong to Bel—to Belinos. I’m his sacrifice. I can’t be with you.”


Caydren scowled up at him. “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re here, alive. You weren’t sacrificed. And why should being the god’s mean you can’t also be mine? You can hardly be a god’s lover.” He halted, his eyes going wide. “You…You can’t be.”


“No, it’s not like that. I just…I don’t even know. I’m sorry, Caydren.”


Chapter 24