Prologue-Tisdamazymoo.

hadhappened.

    Halfanhourter,shesatupagain,wipingthesweatfromherbrowwiththebackofherhand.Shesweptherlong,violethairoveroneshoulderandcarefullyliftedthesheet.Behyaclusterofgrape-sizedvioletorbs.

    Fromthenightstand,sheretrievedaslender-neckedgssbottle,pullingoutthewoodenstopper.Withherslenderfingers,shepinchedeachorbonebyone.

    Pop.Pop.Pop.

    Thecolorlessliquidinsideseepedout,collegile.Thepurplehusksshriveled.Withalightrubbetweenherfiheycrumbledintodust.

    Shetedthem.Forty-eight.

    Stilloneshort.Whichmeantshehadehispainfornothing.

    Sheshookthebottlegently.Theliquidinsidewasslightlythickerthanwater,gingtotheg