Mage's Blood Novels & Stories

“There is one thing we know for certain that can trap and hold a demon, at least for a time… blood magic.” Murmurs erupted across the tent but Astasha held her ground. “Blood magic is forbidden.” The man who spoke was a brutal one. Missing an eye and half his face deformed and twisted, he was one of the few Tasha could sense was teetering on the edge of rebellion. But she met his glare all the same.

Blood. Blood magic. My lips part, my mouth dropping open. Blood magic is very dark magic. Only a few witches in Moonrise get to learn it, and Maeve was one of them. “Why did you do that to him?” I shout. “Because he’ll drop dead if he ever lets any harm come to you,” she rushes out, opening the door. “Go, Logan. Go to the temple and secure a priestess for tonight.” He looks at me, but Maeve clicks her tongue at him.

As I dip my fingers into the water a shock wave runs up my arm. My muscles tense and tingle as I resist the urge to pull my hand out. As my fingers dip past the water's edge it begins to turn a smokey black. The water is slowly enveloped in a black that reflects the night sky. "Your magic type is dark. I cannot say I am not surprised, this suites you Chieftain," Nefertari says. I smile, pulling my hand from the pool. Standing, I gaze up at Nefertari, she returns my gaze.

They coalesced into ribbons, then into streams, rushing upward toward the Spire like a reverse waterfall. The Council Elders watched in horror as the blood of their soldiers mixed with the blood of the rogues. In death, there were no factions. Only fuel. The blood swirled around Morrigan, a cyclone of crimson fluid. She shaped it with her mind, sweating blood from her own pores. " Pons Sanguineus! " she shrieked. She thrust her hands toward the cracking vortex. The blood shot forward. It didn't form a ramp. It formed spheres—stepping stones of surface tension and dark magic—leading straight into the maw of the collapsing dimension.

“But your wolf’s losing control. That bond’s stronger than any I’ve ever seen. It’s not normal.” He turned toward the others. “Back to work,” he ordered. The warriors scattered, glancing nervously in my direction. When they were gone, Ronan faced me again. “You can’t keep ignoring this. The curse, the prophecy, it’s all tied to her.” I rubbed my face with both hands. “You think I don’t know that?” “She’s the one from the Blood Moon legend. The mate born under the mark of red light. The one who can end or renew your bloodline.”

I push faster. A heavy boom shakes dust loose ahead, followed by frantic footsteps. A squad of royal mages turns the corner, cloaks billowing, runes glowing on their wrists. They freeze when they see the blood on me, the unconscious woman in my arms, the ritual dagger strapped to my belt. Their leader lifts a glowing palm. “Hand her over.” I bare my teeth. He doesn’t even get to cast.

Still no reply. I turned to Maggie’s daughter, her face was pale and eyes trembling as she shook her head. A chill gripped me at once. No. No… please no. I descended slowly but froze when I reached the bottom of the staircase. Marbel lay there in a pool of blood. From behind me, a scream from Maggie’s daughter tore through the house.

“Rogues don’t have that kind of power. Do they?” “Not unless…” the seer hesitated. “Unless a bloodmage is involved.” My jaw tightened. Bloodmages hadn’t been seen in the kingdoms for years. They were powerful wolves, mostly males, blessed by the moon goddess with a sacred blood that'd make anyone strong. Upon their death only. “Get out,” I snapped at the seer, running my fingers through my hair. Rosanne couldn't be with a bloodmage. The seer didn’t need to be told twice before bolting out of the room.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Alpha Stephen asks once I lay out my plan. “I’m sure.” “Okay, what do we need?” “Magnesium, hot water, and hope.” “This is odd. Have any of you ever heard of a vampire being weakened by magnesium? It’s just a metal for Goddess’ sake!” Ray interjects. “Well, we are weakened by silver, so I don’t think it’s that far-fetched,” Colin argues. “Where would we even find magnesium this late in the day?”

As soon as my swollen eyes closed and I slipped into unconsciousness, I was assaulted by nightmares of the worst year of my life. Not all mages were bad. I knew that, but it didn’t make facing them any easier. Legend claimed they were given magic by Lunette to protect us wolves and lycans. The fact that she gave the blood mages that awful, terrible power was something I’d never understand, and quite frankly, didn’t want to. I’d take the water mages and their healing magic any day of the week. Even the fire mages, who’s tempers were as legendary as their ferocity, were okay in my book.