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

“You were Belinos’ sacrifice, but now you will be mine,” said Alitius, and he laughed as he said it. Realizing that it might be futile, but that trying to fight Alitius or get around him back into the house was even more so, Oisin turned to run. He fell almost instantly, and looked down to see a dark shadow grasping his ankle.


With his heart pounding he focused his will and said “ward!” A glow sprang into being by his feet, cutting off the shadow, that writhed for an instant like a snake with its head cut off and then dissipated.


Alitius looked at him in shock, then made a swift gesture and the warding glow vanished. “Why are you fighting a god? You are truly a fool, you idiot mortal. You are doomed!”


Chapter 47