Ninety-Nine Chances Gone

eaking. "Please, don't let th

m, my hope fragi

"Tell them you believe

digging into my skin right over the burn from the tea. The pain

his voice a low, dangerou

is in the hospital. She was poisoned. By something in the br

o a hiss. "Tell me, Erica. How can I be s

at? No! I didn't... I didn't touch that

see reason. "I was never near it. And how

ly. A flicker of doubt crossed his f

of this. We're doing the test. It's family tradition.

t James, my last hope. "Please, James,"

ng, unreadable stare.

flat. He motioned to the maids.

leaving only the cold ash of des

fear. I lay on the table, watching the

nto my belly. I tensed, my fingernails digging into my palms, drawing blood. I bit my l

t, the words a silent, hatefu

The hospital room was empty and silent. I

in, her fac

, my voice hoarse.

table," she said coolly,

heard her and another nur

ut the kid first thi

r. He's been up in the VIP ward with Miss Rodgers a

han the needle. My mouth

h? Enough to completely