THE NIGHT OF CROWS

Seraphina hated the forest at night.

It was too quiet, too cold, and too alive.

The wind moved through the branches like something breathing. Every step she took made the ground creak. Her heart wouldn't slow down, but she kept moving anyway.

She wasn't supposed to be out here.

The Eldertree Hollow was off-limits for every witch, especially apprentices. But Seraphina wasn't looking for permission. She was looking for answers.

For weeks, her dreams had been the same fire in the skies, blood on her hands, and a man standing in the ashes with eyes that burned red. Every time she woke, her mark a faint sigil on her wrist glowed like it was alive.

She'd tried to ignore it. Tried to pray. Tried to forget.

But tonight, the mark burned again, and she followed it into the woods.

A low sound rolled through the trees. Not thunder. A growl.

Seraphina froze. Her breath caught.

She reached for the blade strapped to her thigh. It wasn't a normal weapon-witch-forged steel, carved with runes that shimmered faintly. She drew it slowly and kept her stance low.

The growl came again. Closer this time.

Then, from the fog, came a figure.

Tall. Armored. His face half-hidden under a hood. His eyes-dark red, glowing faintly-locked onto hers.

Seraphina took a step back. "Who's there?"

The stranger stopped. His voice was smooth, deep, and calm. "You shouldn't be here, witch."

Her fingers tightened around the blade. "And you shouldn't know what I am."

He gave a small, humorless smile. "Your kind hides behind spells and councils. The forest doesn't lie for you."

Seraphina kept her weapon raised. "Name yourself."

He tilted his head. "Kael."

He didn't add a title, but something about the way he said it made her uneasy.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I could ask you the same."

A crow screamed from above, sharp and sudden. Seraphina flinched. The man didn't move at all. His control made her even more nervous.

"I'm following a sign," she said.

"So am I," he replied. "And it led me to you."

Her pulse kicked. "You're a hunter?"

"Something like that."

The wind shifted, carrying a metallic scent. Blood.

Kael's expression changed. "We're not alone."

Before Seraphina could speak, shadows broke through the mist-five shapes, crawling low, their eyes glowing white. Wraiths. Demon wraiths. The kind that tore souls from the living.

She swung her blade as one lunged at her. Blue fire burst from the runes, cutting it clean in half. Another came from behind, but Kael moved faster-his hand flared red, and a wave of heat exploded from his palm, burning the creature to ash.

For a moment, they fought side by side-her light against his fire.

When the last wraith vanished, Seraphina stood there, breathing hard.

Her sleeve had burned at the edge. The sigil on her wrist was glowing again-bright, pulsing like it recognized him.

Kael stared at it, then looked up at her. "You bear the mark."

Seraphina covered her wrist. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I do," he said quietly. "That mark belongs to me."

She stepped back, blade raised again. "You're lying."

He took a slow step forward, his eyes glowing brighter. "I wish I were."

Before she could react, the sky darkened. Dozens of crows rose from the trees at once, shrieking and circling above them. The air grew heavy, the ground trembling under her boots.

Kael looked up at the sky. "The Bloodbound has awakened."

Seraphina didn't understand what he meant-she only knew one thing.

Her life had just changed forever.