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 sooner was the deer gone than Bel was turning to Oisin, scooping him up in his arms again. Oisin put his own arms around Bel’s neck and kissed him. There was still a trace of blood on his lips, and Oisin could taste it faintly in the kiss, but he cared for that not one whit. If anything, the awareness of Bel’s strange nature added a peculiar thrill to the kiss.


He kissed Bel deeply, passionately, already on fire with the knowledge that today things might finally go at least a little bit beyond kisses. Bel kissed back with matching fervor, but soon broke off the kiss, kissing his cheek and then nipping and nuzzling at his ear. Oisin felt the touch of his sharp fangs there and let out a soft moan of utter delight. Bel nuzzled down the side of his neck to the base of it and kissed him just at the spot where neck met shoulder, then halted for a moment and gave a soft sigh.


Chapter 54