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

“No, not at all.” Oisin shook his head vehemently. “I was…I was nobody. The scorned and useless sibling. The unwanted son. The…The…The murderer of my mother. I was unloved and unwanted, and I did nothing of value. I slept for a week on Firas’ kitchen floor, because my own family cast me out. You have given me a true home and showed me more care than my kin ever did.”


Bel reached out, touching his shoulder gently. “I know what it is to be alone in the world. I am glad you’ve been happy with me.”


“I have been. You are…” Oisin trailed off, looking over at Bel. They sat close, side by side, and Oisin reached out, still up a fair bit, even sitting, and brushed his fingers along Bel’s cheek.


Bel tipped his head towards Oisin, looking at him with a faint puzzlement in his soft, silver eyes. Oisin slid his hand to the back of Bel’s neck, pulling him down a little further, and leaned in to kiss him softly.


Chapter 28