I'm such a smart-ass today. I hope you find this chapter amusing. I think it's rather funny, if I say so myself. Not too long, but I felt the next part needed to be in a separate chapter.

Tamashii: And now the lovely Tamashii will serenade us with the 'Tease of Fire' theme song! =)

Forest Elfin: You know, I keep meaning to read your stories. Damn me and my momentarily short attention span! =) I'm glad you think that Tala is justified in her decision. I don't know what Vesta will do, but maybe the little fire-starter has something up her sleeves . . .

littlemissgiggles: Thank you so much for the compliment on my writing. I usually have quick updates, so hopefully you won't be disappointed.

Hedge: Ah, my faithful Hedge and your wonderful reviews. What would I do without you? I can't help but leave everyone hanging. It gets everyone so riled up. Hehehe. ::sigh:: Here's a chapter of your taste, chock full of smart-ass comments. =) I think I used a lot of big words too, so I'm kinda proud of myself. ::pats self in back::



*Chapter 16*



Monroe felt her mental scream before the doors had a chance to shut. He ran as fast as he could, pushing against the heavy metal, only to see a black van speeding off. The tinted windows and lack of a license plate mocked him as the vehicle sprayed dust in his general direction.

He panicked, even though he knew he shouldn't. Sure, he was without a car, in a city he didn't know, and his soulmate had just been hijacked by some mysterious strangers in an unidentifiable automobile, but really, how bad could it actually be?

He tried to clear his mind, knowing that if he didn't do something he was going to hyperventilate. He looked around, aware that his salvation wasn't just going to be right there in front of his eyes. Or so he thought.

Glinting from the concrete of the sidewalk were a set of keys. He grabbed them quickly, recognizing Tala's black ring clip, unconsciously heading toward the Vitara. He had no time to try and remember Daybreak's safe house number, nor the time to run in and tell someone where he was going. Starting the car, he sent a mental probe into the building, searching for Thierry's mind. There it was. *I'm going after Tala.*

The mental voice coming back to him sounded of sardonic laughter. *What is wrong with you two now?*

Monroe held back the need to send his sarcastic friend a blast of power. *She's been kidnaped. I don't know by who, or where they're going, but I'm following.*

With that, Monroe cut off the mental connection, putting up blocks to keep Thierry's interfering hesitations out. He needed to concentrate on following the van that was slowly getting out of his line of vision, taking corners hastily and running red lights.



Tala did not like this scenario. She had rather enjoyed being upset about Monroe, compared to this, that is. Her arms were tied behind her back. If she could shift, this dilemma wouldn't be half as bad. Unfortunately, doing that would cause her arms to bend in a most uncomfortable, *breaking* position. Therefore, Plan A was scratched off the list.

She looked at her assailant, trying to notice anything familiar. Yeah, those black clothes. Those looked like something a hit man would wear. So did that ski mask, which showed absolutely none of this person's features. A *lot* of help this was doing her. She couldn't even determine if it was a man or a woman.

At least she wasn't scared. She had no clue why, but she wasn't frightened at all. Of course she was pissed. And once she got out of this bind, she was kicking this unfashionably dressed villain in the head.

If she were somewhat familiar with Nevada, she might have been able to track how the van turned and figured out where she was going. That way she could send a message to Monroe, though he was probably mad about the way she had just walked off like that.

*Nobody's going to realize I'm missing!* she thought miserably. She had an itching feeling that everyone was going to think she took off to contemplate again, like she usually did. Damn her and her need for alone time.

Now she was worried. She had enough confidence in herself that she could do some serious ass-kicking to these ignoramuses, but she had no clue how many there were.

*Fine,* she said to herself, determined. She sat up straight, holding her chin up, if only to prove her courage to herself. *If I have to do it alone, so be it.*

And in celebration of her good mood, she felt the need to annoy the person with whom she shared the back of the vehicle with a song. "It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small, small-"

"Would you shut the Hell up?" the lurking figure boomed.

So it was a male. Even better. She smirked to herself, seeing if he could give away anymore of his secrets. "Not a Disney fan, huh? Did you like 'Lamb Chop' when you were a kid?" She cleared her throat, preparing for the next tune. "This is the song that doesn't end, it just goes on and on my friend! Some people, started singing it-"

A hand closed around her throat. Taking this to her advantage, as much as she could, anyway, she silently sniffed at her attacker. Next clue: He wears way too much cologne. She coughed from the lack of oxygen, and the lack of *breathable* oxygen, at that.

He was grumbling something inaudible as she tried to open up her other senses, disconnecting from her hearing. She felt a tiny mental tug come from his direction, almost so insignificantly small, she never would have otherwise noticed.

*Ding, ding, ding!* she grinned in her mind. *We have a winner.* Vampire, a made one at that. She only figured this due to his lack of composure, and he wasn't very good at covering up his mental tracks.

He finally released her neck when the spots started to blur her vision. She made a quick intake of air, trying not to gasp. She held herself up, looking the man in the eyes. "Aw, somebody's grumpy. Didn't get to feed, I take it?"

The vehicle slammed to a halt as he was standing to hit her. She couldn't contain her laughter as he flew into the hard metal separator between the driver and their confined area. She was still laughing as someone reached in and dragged her out into the hot desert air.