Vixa was trapped in a clear crystal globe surrounded by water. The water was filled with sea elves. They didn’t speak, only stared and pointed with long, webbed blue fingers.

“Stop it!” she shouted at them. “I am Princess Vixa Ambrodel, daughter of the house of Kith-Kanan!”

They showed no sign of hearing her, but continued to stare with blank faces, their eyes glowing. Furious, Vixa struck the walls of her crystal prison with her fists. The blow stung her knuckles and caused cracks to appear in the glass. The fractures radiated outward from the point of impact, and water began to seep into the globe. Anger turned to horror as Vixa realized what she’d done.

The cracks raced around the glass, spreading faster and faster. The water rose up to her ankles. A blink of her eyes, and the water touched her knees. In seconds, she was neck-deep and had to tread water to keep her face above the icy flow.

Vixa flung out a hand and felt the roof over her head. Silver fissures met and crossed above her. Water closed over her head. She pounded at the domed ceiling.

“I—will—not—die!”