The smell of salt hit my nose, as if someone had thrust icy seawater into my face. I felt it in my ears—my eyes—my nostrils, into the roof of my mouth. I coughed, gasping frantically for air, my mind and body suddenly gripped by something I could not fathom. Wait, Elspeth Spindle, a deep voice called in my head. I’m not going to hurt you. I screamed.
