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Leaving evidence behind just made my life harder, and I didn’t have the same advantages as some of my peers as I was in the slightly uncomfortable position of only associating with those higher than me.

Not once had I ever befriended a human vampire, nor did I want to. At this point in my extensive existence, if there was a way to turn myself into a pureblood, I would have. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with human vampires, not in my opinion, but the lack of born magic tended to ensure a shorter life. Sloppy habits, an absence of training, a fit of rage. The side effects of being “turned” were significant hazards.

Collecting as much magic as I had over nearly a millennium kept me alive, and I did not expect anyone to clean up after me.

My crows were the closest thing I had to staff.

After I had reinforced the sorcery I’d cast over them, they watched the woods with renewed vigor, reporting back to me and letting me know through trills, chirps, cawing, and a map I’d drawn them on the floor, whenever there was a breach.

Tonight, several of them pecked at the window with their beaks, eager to share news. Their energy was different as they flew into my living space, after I shoved the glass panels open. It wasn’t the usual outrage, but rather some concern. I noted it with fascination and gestured toward the wooden panel on the floor, marked with deep etchings, but they refused to comply.

One of the birds, the biggest one who seemed to have taken the role of leader, flew back to the window and perched on the sill, making the closest impression of a temper tantrum I had ever seen from an animal.

“Relax,” I instructed him as I strolled closer. “I will investigate. Thank you.”

He followed me as I went to retrieve my jacket, hopping from surface to surface, and flying short distances, when necessary, never letting me out of his sight. Mild concern filled me at his theatrics, and I couldn’t imagine what had him in such a state. The only thing I could think was I’d captured, or annihilated, a Kakian demon caught red-handed in one of the traps.

Snagging a lantern from the hall table, I set off outdoors and waved my hand at the brick wall when I approached. A hidden door revealed itself, and I entered the woods.

Night was falling quickly and I wiggled my fingers at the lamp, lighting the cotton wick. I could still see easily, but the density of the forest combined with the multitude of spells I’d cast over it; the additional illumination could come in handy.

The crow was impatient, and I could feel its urgency in the atmosphere, begging me to hurry. It would have annoyed me, but the creature was doing exactly as I commanded. Instructing it otherwise could possibly confuse the bird.

Anticipation coursed through me as we neared one of my four traps and my mouth stretched into a smile. Digging these holes was one of the best things I’d done in quite a while. It was a shame I hadn’t done it sooner and saved myself many a headache.

The bird flew ahead and perched on the edge of the hole—a gaping wound in the earth with one corner still covered with a network of branches and debris. Whoever had fallen in did so on the southeast corner.

The traps were clearly visible to me, marked by a grid of magic. It appeared the birds could see them as well because while I observed them, they avoided landing anywhere near the camouflage.

I stepped to the corner of the pit filled with lethal spikes, and my heart tripped over itself when I spotted the tiny blonde, curled up in the fetal position. When I shoved the illicit feeling away, I crouched by the edge.

She didn’t move and almost didn’t seem as if she were breathing but then I saw that she was eating something.

“Who knew that I would capture such pretty prey?” I said, waiting for her to turn her head.

She startled and dropped what looked like a granola bar, glancing up at me with her big eyes. At first, she appeared shocked but then anger quickly won over.

I barely heard her when she said, “This is your trap? You motherfucker. Get me out of here.”

Brittney twisted around, and I saw she only had one boot on, the other being wrapped in cloth. “You’re hurt?” I asked, wondering if she had broken anything. From up here, it didn’t appear that she had. My shoulders relaxed while I took stock of the items she had strewn around her. She had food and water and was wearing a hoodie.

She glowered at me. “Physics are a bitch. Throw me a rope or something, I’m not spending the night down in here. I have stuff to do.”

“Like what?” I cocked my head. “You can’t tell anyone what you’ve found if you’re ten feet deep. Plus, I think I like having you in a jar.”

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “You’re just going to leave me here? By myself with nothing? How am I supposed to get out?”

Chuckling, I stood. “You’re not. That’s the whole point; you’re contained. My birds haven’t had a treat in a while so consider yourself a gift.”

She had “stuff to do.” I was no fool. Staying alive and in possession of the items I’d acquired was no accident, and I knew better than trusting without evidence.

The woman dragged herself through the dirt, banging her knee into one of the poles hard enough I swore I felt it in my soul and winced. She cried out and I had to look away before peering down at her again. There was no reason to stay; my work here was done, but I found myself curious about what sort of protest she would attempt to sway me with.

Brittney was directly below me when she begged, “Please get me out of here, I haven’t done anything to you. Why would you do this?” I stared at her and then her face went pale, and she reached for her hip, fumbling with a pocket.

“This,” she said, holding up a bone fragment. My heart stopped in its tracks. “Somehow, I left with this, and I was trying to bring it back. That’s the only reason I was back here right now.”

She had one of my artifacts, a finger bone from a dead sorcerer that I’d sprinkled some dust on. The item never should have been able to leave the house, much less the woods. While her voice sounded genuine and her energy felt pure, I was very much aware of the power the Kakians were ultimately able to harness when necessary, and this was precisely one of those occasions.