A Midwinter Sacrifice. A Short Story
When the ancient spring runs dry beneath the streets of Bath, the goddess Sulis awakens—and she's thirsty for blood.
Evan came to Bath with nothing but his guitar and a voice that could make strangers weep. Busking in the Christmas market should have been easy money—festive crowds, generous spirits, mulled wine warming the winter air. But when two thugs destroy his livelihood and leave him bleeding in an alley, Evan discovers that some debts can only be paid in sacrifice.
Beneath the cheerful chaos of Bath's Christmas market, an ancient darkness stirs. The Roman baths aren't just tourist attractions—they're sacred ground, where for thousands of years, desperate souls have left curse tablets for the goddess of the spring. And tonight, Sulis Minerva is listening.
A Dark Fantasy Tale of Celtic Mythology and Revenge
A Midwinter Sacrifice plunges readers into the shadowy intersection of modern Britain and ancient pagan power. J.F. Penn weaves a Gothic tapestry of Celtic lore, Roman history, and contemporary urban fantasy, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Bath's UNESCO World Heritage sites.
This isn't your typical Christmas story. It's a tale where shopping centers sit atop sacred springs, where carved angels claw down cathedral walls, and where the old gods never truly died—they only slept, waiting for the right offering to wake them.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
- Neil Gaiman's urban fantasy and gods-among-us mythology (American Gods, Neverwhere)
- MR Carey's dark supernatural thrillers
- British Gothic horror with historical depth
- Celtic and Roman mythology reimagined for modern times
- Atmospheric stories set in ancient, haunted places
- Christmas tales with teeth—think Krampus meets sacred horror
Themes & Content: Set in the historic city of Bath, England, this dark fantasy short story explores themes of desperation, revenge, ancient worship, and the price of calling upon forgotten gods. The narrative draws on authentic Roman curse tablet traditions, Celtic mythology, and the real history of the Sulis Minerva temple complex.
Readers will experience the collision of Christmas commercialism with pagan sacrifice, the beauty and brutality of busking life, and the terrifying allure of ancient powers that still pulse beneath Britain's stones.
About the Setting: Bath is a city layered with history—Georgian architecture built over Roman ruins built over Celtic sacred sites. The natural hot springs have been worshipped for over 2,000 years, and thousands of real curse tablets have been recovered from the waters, preserved in lead and filled with prayers for justice, revenge, and retribution.
Story Details:
Genre: Dark fantasy, Gothic horror, urban fantasy
Length: Short story (approximately 5,000 words)
Reading time: 20-30 minutes
Mood: Atmospheric, dark, haunting
Setting: Bath, England (contemporary)
Content note: Contains violence and dark themes
Experience visceral storytelling that blends archaeological authenticity with supernatural dread. Where Christmas lights can't keep out the darkness, and ancient goddesses still demand their due.
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