"How much?"
"What?" Tavin asked, already thrown off-balance.
"How much of your life will you offer me?"
He considered it for a moment, then chased away his fear, and forced himself to say what he hoped was the right answer.
"As much as you need."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"That’s quite an offer. Are you sure?"
* * *
To gain the power of the gods, one must make a pact and become Bloodsold. This is the path that Tavin, an orphan from a remote village who just turned eighteen, has chosen to walk—and like all other mortals, he only has two things he can offer a god: time and blood. But when a madman and his group of rogue mages arrive, chased by an experienced Bloodsold and her apprentice, Tavin soon finds himself caught up in far more than he bargained for. 
Bloodsold: Cold Fire is created by NJD Hardage, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

Bloodsold: Cold Fire

Valina watched as Tavin’s fire fell apart and vanished. Again. He was breathing hard.


“What’s the matter?” Chalea demanded. “You ought to be able to keep up with this.”


“I’m doing the best I can,” Tavin spat back. He lifted his knife to try again.


“Where did that fire go, kid?” Chalea wore a frown that could shatter boulders .“It’s only been a day.”


Tavin froze and looked over at the old mage, confused and annoyed. Valina wanted to speak up and spare Tavin any more verbal jabs, but all it would do is bring Chalea’s ire down on her next.


“You can’t hide it,” Chalea said. “You’re only putting half your heart into it.”


“I don’t know, I’m just—I’m having trouble focusing,” Tavin said defensively.


“That much is clear. Each attempt is taking more out of you than it should. If you draw from the power of a god without conviction in your heart, you’ll pay twice the price for half the results.”


Chapter 14: The Perception of Limits