The screams tore through the silence of the early morning, cutting straight through the soundproofing of Erisia's room.
She stirred with a groan, rubbing her eyes before forcing them open. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming—the muffled cries were so sharp, so desperate—but when she glanced toward the brightness covered by the drawn curtains, she realized it was real.
Yawning, she pushed herself upright, stretched, then padded toward her bathroom. She busied herself there for a few minutes, brushing her teeth and ignoring the noise. But the shrieks only grew louder, jagged and frantic.
Finally, Erisia opened her door. The sound hit her full force.
She frowned, stepping into the hall, and followed the chaos to the railing. From above, she looked down into the grand foyer—and raised a brow.
