[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

As she saw Maxwell's touch on Roxy's arm, Jess clenched her fists so hard her fingernails dug into her skin. She knew Roxy wanted nothing more right now than to hit him. Jess tried to slow her breathing, but it shuddered in her lungs with the steady flow of anger. Maybe it was best not to fight it completely. It was the only thing fueling the two of them to speak out through their fear.

[color=teal]"Leave her alone..."[/color] The plea came out soft, yet insistent, as she moved closer to Roxy. Her eyes shifted to Mr Black. [color=teal]"This doesn't benefit her. And... and..."[/color] She paused, swallowing a lump through her tight throat. The words on her lips could either prove a hindrance to Mr Black's plans, or land both her and Roxy in further trouble, but she had to point something out. Lying to an empath took a whole other level of arrogance.

[color=teal]"You're not saddened,"[/color] she blurted. [color=teal]"Not for Roxy, anyway."[/color]