Daphne’s POV
Ice water suddenly splashed across my face. I gasped, choking on the cold as consciousness slammed into me like a wave. My lungs burned. I coughed hard, blinking through the sting, trying to steady my breath.
My head pounded. The world blurred around me—shadows and flickering light dancing like ghosts.
“You survived. Isn’t that a miracle?”
A voice. Calm. Familiar. Too calm.
My heart kicked into overdrive.
I tried to move—but I couldn’t. My wrists were bound behind me, the ropes tight, biting into my skin. The panic came fast—hot and rising, curling like smoke in my chest.
I opened my mouth to speak, but it was dry, cracked. All I could force out was a rasp.
Where am I?
Why can’t I remember anything?
“You don’t need to stress your voice, Daphne,” the voice continued,
