{IRIS}
That morning, I woke up feeling off.
There was a dull ache in my lower abdomen, a familiar, unwelcome discomfort that made me shift uncomfortably in the sheets.
I blinked, groggy, stretching my arms as I turned onto my side—
And then I saw it.
The bed.
The stark contrast of blood against the crisp white sheets.
My period.
Oh . . . shit.
My entire body went rigid, a rush of panic shooting through me.
And then—I heard it.
A low, guttural growl.
I turned my head slowly, dread creeping up my spine.
And there, at the edge of the bed, stood one of the maids.
Or at least—what was left of her sanity.
Her red eyes were locked onto me, wide and unblinking.
Saliva dripped from her parted lips, her chest rising and falling in heavy, ragged breaths. Purple veins crawled across her pale skin, her claws extending, her fangs flashing in the dim morning light.
I barely had time to process what was happening before she lunged.
