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

At the first touch, Five gasped. His hand tightened around Tarquin’s, and for a terrible moment, Tarquin was sure Five was burning, just like when Tarquin had done the verification. Five wasn’t burning; he was terrified, though Tarquin couldn’t understand why. Five’s wide-open eyes had fixed to Tarquin’s as if he were waiting for a sign to scramble away, and he was holding Tarquin’s hand painfully tight. As soon as Five’s many cuts began closing, he started panting through his clenched teeth like he was in pain.


“Shh, it’s all right. It’s all right,” Tarquin whispered, wanting to reassure him but not interrupt Prea’s spell. “It’s supposed to work like this. She’s healing you.”


Five nodded jerkily, but his eyes were wild with barely leashed panic. He reached for Tarquin with his free hand, and Tarquin took it automatically, though now it felt like Five was mashing both Tarquin’s hands in his. Tarquin forced himself to keep his expression calm and not wrench his hands away.


Chapter 27