Hi All: I appreciate the interest in my fav tale. I hope my new readers will review. Good or Bad...all reviews are welcome.

GG

Chapter 23

Now, about this book?

As midnight approached, Bai prepared herself for the task at hand. Looking into her reflection, the Immortal stood before the bedroom mirror, as it hung over the white dyed teak dresser. Her usual confident expression did not appear. An uninvited guest had entered her world.

"There must be no wasted time." Her breasts rose as she contemplated the future. "Things have become complicated." Taking a moment to exhale, she pressed her lips together.

"That bitch must be dealt with." A slight giggle gave birth to a humorous expression. The thought of an interloper present to disrupt her plans faded.

"A little fly has landed in the ointment." Shaking her head, "great White Snake," addressing her image, "you must have the patience to bring about her own destruction. This slut from America must do it herself." A smirk rose from the side of her mouth. "That troublesome holy man will not cause me to be reckless."

Bai could not let Janet remain in Fujian. Her original design concerned turning the young blond into any number of things. With the arrival of Mr. Feng, fear of causing an imbalance in nature crawled through the Immortal's mind. Having this possible monk so close to the incantation could lead to her destruction. The use of such power would draw him, as a moth to a flame.

"She is vain, as all harlots." A broader grin rose on the Immortal. "I was going to turn her into a black widow," her body shuddered from the suppressed laugh. "Fitting, I would say." She spoke to her reflection as if waiting for a comment. "That would attract our new friend." Bai's eyes widened. "Of course, I have an idea," shrugging her shoulders, "I'll turn her hair gray," pointing at the figure in the mirror. "No, I'll increase the size of her hips." A boisterous snicker erupted. "I think Western woman hate their hips and thighs." Another boisterous laugh exploded from the Immortal. "Acne combined with drooping breasts," her giggles at such a dilemma befalling Janet continued. Then a chilling thought.

Feng Huang? F and H?

A deep sigh erased her amusing appearance.

"F…H," looking to the bedroom window as a cloudless sky sent light shimmering from the mirror. The deluge of these midnight rays caused Bai to falter, as dread took hold of her expression.

A quivering mouth opened as black eyes blinked form the flood of brilliance. Her clear skin wrinkled as she tried to keep strained eyes shut.

"F…H," she whispered.

Her clenched lids could not erase the figure in her vision.

"Fahai," Bai's posture weakened as she bent from her waist.

"He has returned."

A fearful look faced the Immortal, as she picked up the hairbrush lying before the mirror.

The atmosphere of the downstairs living room did not reflect the mood in the bedroom.

Angelo's mouth yawned as he straightened his position. Finding the correct moment and temperament to sleep became a difficult task. His fear over the future actions of both women began to drain his usual passive character.

I never saw Bai like that.

Running his fingers through the dark curls that popped up at the end of his uncut strands.

She was really jealous

A coy smile spread over his face, as he cheeks balled outward.

Janet, she was always the dramatic one, he eased the impish grin into a soft smile.

But Bai?"

The woman's behavior concerning Janet did not appear curious. After all, it seemed a natural reaction over this sudden challenge to their existence. Her constant reminders to him of their spiritual connection and great love, did cause him apprehension. The easy-going American often feared a future with such a domineering and possessive woman. Though, as he continued to think of the explosive meeting of the two females a feeling of conceit traveled through the unassuming and humble man.

"Oh well," another yawn left his mouth. "I guess being fought over has its good points?" The white material of the couch sprung back into shape as he squirmed. The soft leather often gave the at times fatigued young man a secure place to rest. "Even if one of them thinks she owns me?" He shrugged his shoulders.

The sound of broken glass traveled from the bedroom.

"Bai?" Angelo could hear muffled sounds from the upstairs. Springing from the sofa, he called again.

"Bai!" An anxious expression spread over his face. Ascending the stairs, the hum akin to a Benedictine chant seeping from the master bedroom speeded his pace.

Turning the silver knob, Angelo's force began to wrench loose the silver-plated hinges on the Douglas fir door. Had the whitewashed cross grained portal been comprised of the usual teak, the frightened lover's force would have torn it in two.

"Bai!" Splinters flew from the crown molding surrounding the silver knob as he burst into the room.

"Bai?" In a lower tone, Angelo voiced his trepidation at this scene. Standing a few feet from the shaking figure sprawled on the paisley bedspread, he leaned toward Bai. Bits of the mirror scattered throughout the room did not halt his advance. Moving to the distraught woman his extended hand touched her quaking head.

"My Angel, help me." The Immortal's voice no longer carried its usual assertive tenor.

"Bai, I have you." Angelo's arms surrounded the clinging woman. He scanned the bedroom floor stopping at the wood boar hairbrush, its white shading standing out among a cluster of fragmented glass.

"Angelo, do you love me? Do you?" Her heartbreaking question matched the pitiable expression covering her face. Short shallow breaths presented a picture thought unthinkable by the man holding her so close.

"Bai, of course I love you. How could you even ask?" He placed a kiss on her cheek.

"What if I did something so terrible, I would be damned for all time?" Bai buried her head into his chest. She did not see his confused expression.
"Would you love me? Would you love me if I was something I am not?" The shaken Immortal rose her chin, resting it on his white t-shirt.

"My Angel, what is wrong?" She asked. "I know these questions are silly?"
"Bai," Angelo now stretched his neck to look upward. "No matter what you do, or even have done." Lowering his chin, he placed another soft kiss on her cheek. His face took on the same perplexed appearance as after the first kiss. "I will love you for all time." Using his hand to press her deeper into his grasp. "Please, I know this is about Janet."

A quick reaction from the woman.

"And what if it wasn't that? What if it is something so horrible, so unimaginable…so" She resumed her position snuggled in his arms.

Licking his lips as if a putrid taste rested on his tongue, he answered.

"I don't care if you were a guy." His snicker erased the taste on his lips.

"My darling. My angel." She whispered. A smile sneaked across her mouth. "You Americans are so funny."

"I don't even care if you were like the women in that book."

"What book?" Bai snapped her head to look into his eyes. Her tone filled with strength.

"Wow, you sound like your old self." Answered, Angelo.

"What book?" Her tentative speech and vulnerable appearance dissipated in a flash. "You must tell me of any book that makes you think of me." Her voice gained volume with the demand.

"Bai? What the hell is wrong with you?" He broke free of her hands that gripped his arms.

"Geesus, Bai!" Angelo turned his shoulders from her lunge. "You scratched…no ripped my damn skin." A stream of blood poured down his tri-cep. He walked out of the room, using two fingers to press on the slight gash. "Damn, is all this craziness cause of Janet's visit?" Wiping his hand on the white shirt, "you better calm down." Taking one foot into the hallway. "I love you, but don't push your luck."

As he left her sight moving in the direction of the bathroom, Bai's mouth tensed with teeth bared.

My poor Angelo, I would never hurt you. An elongated tongue lashed the air.

But my precious, you know nothing. She stood next to the bed with a compelling stance.

That little bitch is nothing but an inconvenience. I will not bother with her, she will drive herself away.

Closing her eyes, she murmured words from a language long forgotten. Using slender fingers to stroke her chin.

Now the bitch will find her clothes are shrinking. Bai's eyes rolled as a short giggle left her mouth.

"That was easy, but?" Her tone low but strong.

Now that stranger, he is something else. The reincarnation of my mortal enemy. Scratching her teeth over a lower lip.

Yes, he is the one. The one I must slay. Taking a deep breath, even her thoughts taxed the Immortal's strength.

I do not want to kill, but for our love. Black eyes grew as Bai's hip length hair whipped the air.

Nothing will take you from me. Nothing! The last word thundered in her mind.

You belong to me. You are mine as the furniture in this house. As the clothes I wear. She paused as a deep inhale raised her breasts. As my heart and soul belong to me.

Looking at her forearm, a row of white scales appeared.

"Oh no!" Shaking her body to prevent the rising transformation. "I must control my human emotions." A grunt to show command over her body. "Oh, do all mortal women act with such abandon concerning the man they love?"

Her fists tightened.

But anyone to take you from me will end up worse than my mirror.

Walking toward the door, she hoped to make amends for her behavior with Angelo. She tried to count the times her lover had been so upset.

Using her thumb, she began the count.

"One…" An expression of embarrassment took control of her appearance. "By the powers in the universe," she clenched her teeth, not in anger but dismay. "My angel has never been so distraught."

Looking at the scattered glass decorating the hard wood floor, she waved her hand with a serpent's motion. The splintered bits of glass from the mirror formed a pile at her feet.

Bai's face returned to its normal confident stare.

Holy man, you will beg to die, than face the ordeal I have in store for you.

"Now, about this book?"

Her slight whisper would not be heard over the faucet's clamor. She peaked into the bathroom, catching a reflection of the grim faced American.

Seeing her at the doorway, a smile spread over his face.

Bai took one step, Angelo's previous incensed expression appeared to melt, as a gentle smile emerged.

Slender arms coiled around his body. Angelo pressed his lips to hers. A warmth traveled the area between their bodies until the lovers embraced. His muscled stomach contorted from the growing blaze between them. He tightened his grip as a burning sensation clawed its way to his groin.

Bai moved her mouth to his neck. A smirk overwhelmed her face.

Angelo stood helpless.

Note to reader:

Since I intend to put this together in novel form, I do appreciate any comments or advice about what you enjoyed or even what you absolutely hated. Please share your opinions.

GG