The Daemon Paranormal Romance Chronicles - Books 1 to 10

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Weeks passed and Phoebe could not manage to find the Qilin. She spent each day wandering around Chinatown touching girls on their back or shaking hands. Apollo spent the time waiting in a cafe while she wandered the streets. In all honesty, part of her did not want to actually find the Qilin. Phoebe could not reconcile the views of Apollo and Supay. She understood that the death of the Qilin could bring about a better world, but sacrificing one girl for that goal was inhumane. She found her own feelings conflicted and perplexing.

Rounding a corner, Phoebe came across a jade and precious stone shop. In the window, jade necklaces hung in rows. Tired of searching for the Qilin, Phoebe went in. She had been eyeing a green jade necklace that was shaped like a dragon for a while. Each day, she passed the shop and never had time to go in.

Entering the dimly lit store, Phoebe glanced around. All the walls were filled with a range of talismans and jade. A giant jade Buddha sat on an altar along the back of the room. An old curtain hid the door to the back of the shop. Behind a counter, a beautiful young girl smiled at Phoebe.

“May I help you find what are you looking for today?” she asked. Her voice had a slight accent like so many people in Chinatown.

“I was looking at that jade dragon necklace in the window. Can I try it on?”

The girl gazed back at Phoebe with wide, almond-shaped eyes. “I think it may be too large for your neckline. Here, let me read your tarot cards. I can help you figure out which type of necklace suits you.”

Phoebe shrugged. Why not, she thought. The girl shuffled the cards on the counter and set them down for Phoebe to cut. Laying out the cards one-by-one, the girl fell silent. She pressed her mouth into a thin line and closed her eyes for a moment.

Worried, Phoebe stretched her arm toward the girl to see if she was all right. As she touched her arm, visions flashed through her mind. Phoebe saw what the girl saw in the cards. Images floated through Phoebe's mind of a sword stabbing the girl. To the side, a vision of Phoebe looked on during the death. Trouble in love, confusion, and an ultimate decision floated through her mind.

Startled, Phoebe pulled her arm back. The girl must be the Qilin. Coughing, the girl looked up. “It's okay, I'm not afraid. I know who you are now. Your role is important, but you are not to blame for my eventual death. I forgive you for what you are required to do.”

Aghast, Phoebe took a step back. “How can you accept it so easily? I still don't know what to do.”

Qilin shook her head. “I have been waiting for this all my life. My parents tried to hide me from death, but I have always known. I have lived decades longer than I should have. If someone must be involved in my death, I am glad it is you. I was afraid of what would happen if a cruel or s******c person was the ultimate cause. Despite accepting my fate, I will still fight back.” She reached for Phoebe's hand and closed her eyes. “I can see... Apollo? He is the one with you? Excellent choice. Few others could take me on.”

Letting go of Phoebe's hand, Qilin walked to the wall of the shop and selected a green jade necklace. On it was an obscure Chinese character. The jade looked old and worn. Dusting it off, Qilin placed it around Phoebe's neck. “This will help you in the coming years. Although you want the dragon, it does not suit your future or your temperament.”

Phoebe fingered the jade necklace. “It is beautiful. How much is it?”

Qilin shook her head. “No charge. It is the right fit for you and you need it.” Leaning forward, she kissed Phoebe on the cheek sadly. “Good luck. I know my death is near and that it has been decreed by fate. After I am gone, do not lose hope. Although fate exists, few people can ever know how it truly works out. Things that seem fated often are not. Even prophesies tend to work out in strange ways. You are going to have a lot of confusion in your life and with romance. Continue to choose what you feel is right because that will lead to your ultimate fate.”

Phoebe stepped back and put her hand on the door of the shop. “I am sorry Qilin. Good luck. I hope it ends up working out in a better way.”

Qilin nodded and smiled wanly. “I understand. Good luck to you as well.”

Leaving the shop, Phoebe walked slowly back to where Apollo was waiting for her. She was no longer sure about what to do. Qilin had told her that it was all right, but she also told Phoebe to listen to her conscience. Sighing, Phoebe entered the café. She would tell Apollo and ask him to protect Qilin instead of killing her.

Apollo looked up as Phoebe entered. “Hey beautiful, how was today's search?” He stood up to give her a kiss before sitting down.

Phoebe took a shaky breath before speaking. “I found her. She works at a jade shop.”

Apollo stared at her without saying anything for a moment. After he managed to overcome his shock, he jumped up and gave her another kiss.

“That's amazing! We have to go back to the hotel and prepare. Does she suspect that you know?” Grabbing her by the arm, he started to lead her out of the shop.

“She knows. We talked. She isn't going to go anywhere though. Qilin thinks that this is her fate. She will fight back, but she won't leave.” Phoebe bit her lip. She didn't want to tell him what Qilin had said about Phoebe's future. “Apollo, are you sure we have to kill her? Can't we protect her instead or just leave her alone? You could still be a leader and help bring daemons to peace without her death.”

Apollo shook his head. “That would be impossible. This is how it has to happen. The Qilin must die for the leader to be revealed. I don't make the rules; I only play by them.”

Entering the hotel room, Apollo's mood suddenly changed. More than anything, he suddenly wanted to be inside Phoebe. He threw her against the wall and pinned her hands above her head. Surprised, Phoebe tried to writhe away. Apollo's grip grew tighter around her wrists and pressed against her. All of her movement and struggle to get away only turned him on more.

Pushing him away forcefully, Phoebe watched as Apollo fell onto the bed. She was not going to let him control her like that. Grabbing a knife that sat on the table, she motioned toward some rope. “Tie your feet to the bed.”

As Apollo willingly consented, Phoebe ruffled through the bag of supplies that Apollo packed for the Qilin hunt. Grabbing a pair of handcuffs, she threw them toward Apollo. “Put these on.”

After Apollo put the handcuffs on, Phoebe strode across the room. Apollo lay back on the bed willingly as she ran her knife against his flesh. His skin quivered as he simultaneously wanted her touch, but feared the knife. Phoebe ran it down the chiseled center of his abs. Unzipping his pants, she took just his head into her mouth and teased it. Stopping abruptly, she leaned back.

“You want me. What if I make you wait? What if I just sit here and make you suffer?” She felt aroused as she watched him quiver in front of her. His c**k was jumping with every movement of his body.

Minutes passed in silence as she waited. Walking across the room, she stood in plain view of him. Slowly, painstakingly, she unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it off. Her breasts popped out of her b*a and bounced against her chest in an inviting motion. On the bed, Apollo could barely contain himself. Phoebe slipped out of her pants and stood before him. All that remained on her body was the jade necklace. Slowly, she slipped it off.

Moving over to the bed, she straddled his body and gently lowered herself on to him. At first, she just teased his head. Driven mad by her teasing, Apollo thrust his hips upwards so that he entered her fully. Phoebe gasped. The pleasure of having him inside her made her unable to continue teasing him any longer. She unlocked his handcuffs hurriedly and untied his legs. Throwing off his restraints, Apollo threw her onto her stomach on the table. Thrusting back inside her, his motions became quick and lacked rhythm. There was no time to slow down or make love. This was just violent, unbridled passion.

Phoebe pulled against the edge of the table to keep balance and to push her body harder against his. The curtains in front of her face were open, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to o****m. She could feel an o****m approaching, but couldn't quite reach it. Phoebe screamed in frustration.

Pulling away from Apollo, she shoved the table out of the way. Apollo lifted her body against the window and wrapped her legs around him. Pushing into her again, his c**k quivered. He could feel himself growing close to o****m, but he wanted to wait for Phoebe. Their n***d bodies caused steam to develop on the window.

If someone were to pass outside, they would just see Phoebe's back moving against the wall. The danger excited Phoebe and pushed her desire further. Pulling him against her, she clutched his body against her and stopped him from moving as her o****m started. Apollo's hand on her head clutched as he started to o****m with her and yanked her head back. Gasping in ecstasy, Phoebe collapsed as her body shook from the violence of the o****m. Unable to even draw the energy to move to the bed, the pair fell onto the floor together.

“So tomorrow...” Phoebe paused and caught her breath. “You kill Qilin?”

Apollo held her hand and kissed each finger. His blue eyes looked into hers. Although she tried not to read his thoughts, she could feel the excitement welling up inside him and it worried her.

“Tomorrow, I kill the Qilin.”

-To be continued in Book 2-