Okay, this chapter is even shorter than the last one, I know. I just didn't have much thought about this scenario except to add a little excitement and mystery, not to mention I feel like uber crap. I think I'm getting a cold. Yuck. Anyway, sorry it took so long to get this one chapter up, seeing how I usually put up about two in a day. I'll see what else I can work on tonight, but don't be surprised if you have to wait another day for anything else.

Skylark: I'm glad you like Tala. I'm really proud of her character, myself. I think she's one of the strongest I've written. You'll get her story in chapter eight.

Emmanuelle: Maybe someday you'll see a series of books written by me. I'll make sure to send you signed copies at no charge. =)

Neona-Deniker: Thanks for the encouragement. I wanted to stick up for all wolf-kind. =) You really can't find criticism? Maybe after this chapter.

Adelaide E: Thanks for the compliments. I'm a stickler for grammar and spelling, so if you ever see a slip up, you know I wasn't having a good day. LoL. I've put aside my other projects for this story, so hopefully I can update fast enough for you. As for the reviews, I don't know, it's kinda weird, they just kicked in. I think it's because of my new summary from Tamashii (she rocks).

Zabella: Don't we all love soulmates? Like I could pass up the chance. Hehehehe. Thanks for the review, and please keep reading!

Tamashii: My little English summary writer . . . hey, wait, you called Monroe a pussy? Just wait until I get chapter eight out. He'll be back, with a vengeance. Thanks for pointing it out though, I'm trying not to let him get too soft.



*Chapter 7*



Gasping, Tala fell back. Though it had felt like eternity, she knew it had only lasted a few seconds.

And it proved why he had felt all of her emotions.

She grabbed for the grass on the ground, desperately searching for proof of reality. Her whole world had turned upside down in a matter of moments. It wasn't just because she had found her soulmate.

"You're lying to me."

She saw him look at her quickly.

"Both you and Thierry. You're keeping something from me." She stood slowly, grabbing at the mangroves to help her up. When he offered her his hand she jerked back. "About this mission . . . you both know something. I don't know what it is, but I saw it in your mind, the worry of me finding out. That's why you won't tell me anything."

"Tala, listen-"

"No! Why should I?" She stumbled backwards toward the car. "Because you're my *soulmate*?" She spit the word out, using it like a weapon. She began to laugh. "The universe is so cruel. The man that I am destined to be with can't stand what I am, and worse, is a liar."

Starting to head back, she went on. "I'm going home. I quit. I have done way too much for this organization for something to be kept from me on a mission. Just when I finally think I have a place where I fit in-" She stopped. *Why can't I just keep my mouth shut?* Shaking her head, she continued toward the car.

Luckily for her, she had shut her mouth. A slight noise was coming from the car.

She started running. She hadn't realized she had shoved him so far from the Vitara. Quickly, she transformed, knowing that was her best defense if there was a fight. Pushing through the heavy branches of the trees, she finally emerged from them, exposing herself to the side of the highway.

Next to the car stood a panther, the back of Vesta's shirt in her mouth, and Vesta herself hanging from it, kicking and screaming. Seeing Tala, the panther dropped the child and lowered herself into a pouncing position.

Growling, Tala smiled. This would be a fun way of getting rid of her aggression.

Unfortunately, she didn't get a chance to fight. The second the panther was in the air, a silver flash went past Tala's eyes and into the ribs of the flying cat. Taking a moment to figure out what had just happened, she came closer to the animal. Protruding from its no longer moving chest was a silver blade.

Turning, she saw Monroe standing behind her. When she met his eyes, he turned his head. Pushing away the pang in her chest, she clipped back into the mangroves to change.

Straightening her shirt, she got into the driver's seat. Monroe was already on the passenger side, cradling the girl. Amazingly, Vesta's eyes were tearless and sparkling.

"We can't go back to the hospice."

"And why not?" Tala hadn't meant for her voice to be so shaky.



Monroe didn't even look at her. "Well, I imagine that Night person and whatever ones it had with it before we came back out here overheard you screaming like a banshee."

She sighed. "Fine. We'll go to the safe house in Miami. But just because you killed that thing does not mean you saved my life, and I owe you nothing. Do not speak to me, do not look at me, and the second we get there, I'm dropping you guys off and going to my mother's in Ft. Lauderdale. You can be the one who tells Thierry that I quit."

"Gladly."

She gave a tired laugh. "Shove it, Monroe." With that, she cut into traffic and began to speed north.