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