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

“Forgive me, Lord Belinos,” she said, then dissolved back into the water and was gone.


Oisin stared at the water, where it flowed briskly over the rounded stones of the ford. He shook his head, still feeling a hot arousal, but mostly just feeling confused. His head seemed muzzy, and he shook it again, trying to clear it.


“I should have known better than to come to the water with you, but I forget the effect she has on most men. Let us walk elsewhere for a time.”


“Yes.” Oisin nodded and followed Bel off the path that led to the stream. They walked through the woods, on no path at all, and slowly Oisin’s muddled confusion faded, though the physical reaction seemed more difficult to banish. His cheeks still felt heated and his groin tight.


Chapter 45