"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

As the sun set, the large wooden gate to Astelworth creaked open, and Valina helped Chalea shuffle through. She had been worried for her teacher the entire way—she had spent nearly two days trapped in the world of shadows, using her pact’s magic far too frequently. What’s more, she hadn’t even slept for the entire duration, but she still somehow made herself walk.


“We’re finding an inn,” Valina said.


“No,” Chalea started, “There’s too much to do-”


“I know there’s much to do, but you need rest.” Valina’s words were firm. She felt weird being stern with her teacher when it had always been the other way around, but it was necessary. “Tell me what you need done, and I’ll take care of it. I’m in much better shape right now.”


Chalea stopped, gave Valina an appraising sideways glance, then sighed.


Chapter 41: Risk