"It's simple. If I think you're lying to me you get a strike. Three strikes and not only are we done talking, but you're going down in the basement for the night." I was done being lied to. Being able to read her every thought was nice. Except for times like these, when she told me the exact opposite of the truth and it angered me like no other.

Jessica nodded and her pure blue eyes met mine for a split-second before they flickered back down to the floor. 'Not the basement! I'm not trying to lie to him. It's just hard to trust someone I barely know. Especially when that someone can rip me in half with one move. I've got no choice now. I won't go down in that basement again. He nearly killed me last time.'

I sat down on the bed next to her. She refused to look up at me. I guess the basement threat was a little much, but I needed to push the truth out of her somehow.

"Tell me what's on your mind?" I bent my head down so my eyes could see hers.

'How do I put everything into words? We'd be here all night if I told him everything.'

"I'm terrified." She finally whispered to me. Tears began to brim her waterline.

"Of me?" I asked. I could understand why, but the thought still caught me off guard. I had tried my hardest to be kind and fair to her. Didn't she know that?

"Well, yes. You scare me. But I'm talking about going back to Tanner and Jared." She scooted back until she was touching the headboard. Her knees tucked into her chest.

"Why? Do you not think my brother will be fair to you as long as you behave?" I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear her say it. A part of me was still jealous of the confessions she made to Zach. Another part of me wanted her to denounce my brother. Although she hadn't told me, I just knew he had abused her. I could see it in her eyes the first day I met her. She despised both of them and for very good reasons.

'Fuck, what do I say now? I can't speak badly of Tanner, but I definitely don't think he will treat me fairly. He never has. Finn wanted the truth. So I guess that's what I'll give him'

"No, he won't. At least not with Jared around..." She trailed off.

'Talking about this reminds me of Jared's promise to me. I bet he will have no problem finding time to make good on it.'

I wanted to ask about the promise, but I couldn't let her know about my ability. There were so many thoughts swarming that pretty head of hers. I'm happy she's talking them through with me. "My brother...he abused you during your relationship. Didn't he?" I rested my hand on her knee.

She sighed. "Yes. But I de-"

"No. You didn't deserve it. Strike one." I stopped her in her tracks. I wondered how she was before she met them. They did a number on her mind. Sure, the law changing human ways of life probably didn't help, but she had a lot of self-esteem issues. I'll fix them. It will just take some time.

'That wasn't I lie. To be fair, you didn't even allow me to say it.' Her thoughts argued with me but she stayed silent.

As much as I wanted to know about her past I knew it was breaking her down. Time to change the subject. "Zach told me you didn't know you were a Pureblood. How do you feel about it?"

She sat up straighter, clearly interested in this topic. "I don't really understand it all that well. Am I really immortal? I've flat-lined before...how is that possible if I'm what you guys say I am?" 'God forbid he ever asks me about that story'

My eyes widened. She's almost died. Why do I have a feeling that has to do with Tanner? I shook my head. I will ask about that later. Right now I need to focus on her. "Your mortal in the sense that you can still die, but it will take a hell of a lot to kill you. Your blood regenerates itself exponentially fast so you heal a lot quicker. It also messes with your aging. It is different for every Pureblood. Does that make sense?"

She nodded. "What did Zach mean by 'empowering vampires'?"

I froze. I wasn't ready for her to know I can read her thoughts. Why did Zach have to tell her about that part? I couldn't lie to her. I've scolded her about it since day one. "Every vampire's experience is different when drinking from Purebloods. Your blood sure does feel better than a human's in our bodies." I walked around the subject and hoped she didn't notice.

A buzzing came from my pocket. I pulled my phone out to see Tanner's name on the caller ID.

'It's Tanner.' I heard Jessica think. I glanced up to see her eyes locked on the phone, wide with fear.

"I'll just be a minute," I said before sliding my thumb against the screen and placing it up to my ear. "What." This was such an awful time for him to call.

"I want to talk to Jessica," Tanner demanded from the other side.

"Why? She's doing fine." I stood up and walked away from the bed. She didn't need to hear his voice. Not unless she absolutely had to.

"Father said you can't leave the cabin because there's too much snow. But nothing online or on the news says the roads are closed. I know you're hiding something. Put her on the phone." I rolled my eyes. Why does he have to be so annoying? I put the phone on mute and walked back over to the bed.

"Jess, Tanner wants to speak with you."