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

“Get Prea,” Ainya said to Elora. The firu stayed long enough to hold the door open for Ainya, then she spread her black wings and leaped into the sky.


The shock of heat in the kitchen was nearly as painful as the cold outside had been. Five was still lying on the floor, motionless as the stone beneath him. His open eyes were scalded blind from the steam. They stared vacantly, like the soul behind them was already gone. There was blood on his lips and coming from his ears and leaking out from behind his head, shockingly red against the nearly bone white of his skin. Tarquin couldn’t see him breathe.


Ainya swayed over to one of the tipped tables, then stepped on a leg to lever it upright with a bang. She set Tarquin down as gently as she could.


“Good enough,” she said. “Stay with me. I need you awake. We’ve got to stop the bleeding. Can you do it yourself?”


Ainya winced. “Hang on. I’ll find some clean linen.”


Chapter 50