Twenty-year-old Tarquin is smart, tactless, and braver than he knows. He's also been Mage of the Realm of Kelor for two years, taking the title from his mother after she died protecting Kelor from a terrible threat. Mages, unlike all other magicians, give their blood in exchange for far more powerful magic. Unfortunately for the Mage of the Realm, there's always the chance one day Kelor will need magic of such potency that a mage will have to give not just their blood, but their life. Tarquin's mother already made this sacrifice, and Tarquin knows it's likely also his fate. While on a quest to heal his brother, who is dying because of Tarquin's reckless mistake, Tarquin is attacked by a horrific, flesh-eating monster. He's saved by an enigmatic and mute young soldier, called "Five", who is cursed with a terrifying appearance that conceals the heart of a knight. There's an almost instant attraction between the two men, but no time to explore it. The monster's attack is the harbinger of a new invasion. With Kelor helpless, the realm's only hope lies with Tarquin. Just as he feared, his sole choice is to sacrifice himself the way his mother did, in exchange for magic strong enough to destroy the coming evil. He's prepared to give up his life to save the realm, but before the battle is over, he'll be faced not just with his own death, but the death of everyone he cares about. Including the cursed soldier he's come to love.

Blood for Magic

She turned around, squinting painfully in the light. “Whoever the haldur was after…they’re still in here.”


“They’re dead, too. They must be,” Tarquin said as he took a limping step toward her. He wanted to throw up, but he was so tired and sore, if he bent over, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get up again. Ainya looked barely conscious; he had to help her. The brilliant red of the blood on her face all but glowed next to the ashen pallor of her skin.


“We need to get you to the healer’s house,” Tarquin said.


Ainya shook her head slowly. “No. Later. We have to help…” She looked at him blankly, and then her eyes rolled back as she fell.


“Ainya!” Tarquin sprang to catch her, terrified she’d just dropped dead. He forgot about his hurt ankle until he slipped in the bloody quagmire and it gave out on him again. He ended up on the floor with Ainya’s dead weight mostly on top of him and her bow digging into his already aching ribs. Thank the gods she was still breathing.


Chapter 8