Seraphina's Pov
I was groggy, half asleep, and entirely annoyed as I felt someone tapping on my shoulder. At first, I tried to ignore it, burying my face further into my pillow, but the tapping didn't stop. It only grew harsher and even more persistent.
My irritation finally boiled over, and I flared up, turning abruptly, ready to snap at whoever dared disturb my sleep.
When my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I saw Ashleigh standing beside my bed, her expression serious and laced with a hint of impatience. For a moment, confusion clouded my irritation.
"Ashleigh? What time is it? Why are you waking me up at this hour?" I asked, my voice groggy and my tone sharper than intended.
Ashleigh didn't answer my question. Instead, she shot back her own. "The snake girl's your friend, right?"