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

He began to tremble, his back arching as he screamed. Then, like a vessel cracking open, white light poured out of him. He fell onto his side then onto his back, arching again in agony as his whole body blazed.


The nearest haldur yelped in terror and spun away from him, hands covering its eyes. It tried to run, heedless of the others it knocked aside in its panic, but the light caught it first.


The haldur was obliterated between one step and the next, leaving nothing but a few drops of blood, a few shards of bone, and a pile of white sand.


All the haldur started running after that, but it was too late. The light spread and grew brighter, then brighter still, pouring into Castle Kel through every window, every open door, every fireplace, and every crack in wood or stone. The light spread until there were no shadows anywhere and the castle was a white pillar rising to the sky.


Chapter 83