9

Jasper Whitlock's office isn't what I expected. Instead of tufted leather and dark wood, it's sleek and modern, bathed in muted, neutral tones. Almost anyone would be at ease in this setting.

But I'm not anyone.

Even with Jasper's welcoming, easy-going demeanor, I'm terrified about talking to him and what he'll think.

"You're going to think I'm crazy," I murmur.

His stare is unwavering. "And you'd be wrong, Bella. As I'm sure Esme told you, I'm not your run-of-the-mill therapist."

"She did." I toy with the hem of my shirt. "She said you helped people when their cases were … unexplainable."

His butterscotch eyes dance with amusement as a smirk tugs at his lips. "I guess that's one way of putting it."

"I'm not even sure I believe what I saw that night."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because what I think I saw is … impossible."

"Try me," he challenges.

I huff a breath and stand, walking to the window in his office to stare at the trees. Trees that remind me of—

"I don't know how I got to the woods that night," I quietly admit. "There are days missing from my memory, and I'm not sure I'll ever get them back."

"What do you remember?"

Staring out into the distance, visions of that night assault my memory. "Screaming," I whisper.

"Yours or—"

"Edward's."

He doesn't immediately press for more, giving me space and time to sort out my thoughts.

"There was someone else there … maybe two, I can't remember. But I remember one of them laughing. It was what I'd think evil sounded like if it made a sound. And the eyes …" I squeeze my own closed. The memory of those vivid irises glowing in the dim light of the alley makes my blood run cold, even now.

"What about the eyes, Bella?"

"Red. They were red." Slowly, I turn to face him, expecting to catch an eye roll or to see ridicule, but I'm not met with either. What I find is concern. "I'm crazy, right?"

He shakes his head and leans forward in his chair. "Not at all. Do you remember anything else?"

I turn back to the window, unwilling to see his expression change. "I do, but it's more ludicrous than the red eyes."

"Try me."

"Teeth," I say softly. "I remember sharp teeth and Edward screaming." I turn to Jasper, more tears filling my eyes. "But that can't be possible, right? Who would attack us and … and bite him? That makes no sense."

He sits back in his chair, placing his hands on the armrests. "There are many illogical things in this world, Bella. Things that don't make any sense. It doesn't mean they aren't real. Sometimes …" He pauses, tilting his head as he considers his next words. "Sometimes, the impossible explanation is the right one."

"But what I saw …" I shake my head. "What I think I saw had to be my imagination, right? There aren't really…"

"What, Bella? There aren't really what?"

"Vampires."