Disclaimer: I don't own the Phantom of the Opera

The harem was in an up roar. The Khanum had ordered her son to send the palaces Daroga to fetch a man from Russia. It was said that he was an extraordinary man, a magician that could sing like a god. The Khanum was bored, and loved the stories that a Samarakand, fur trader had told. She wanted him here. Truth be told so did Alera Dracut. She had not seen another human other then the people she had grown to hate. Alera wanted to see him. Maybe, just maybe

Alera was reading to Maleka Jahan Khanum. Alera was the only one allowed to call her by her given name. She knew how to read, but she loved to be read to. Alera was reading her a smuggled book. It was new, shipped in from the Americas. It was by some American author, an Edger Allen Poe. He was a very morbid writer, so Maleka enjoyed the stories. She was on one called The Raven when there came news that the sought after man had arrived. Maleka's eyes brightened as she grinned.

"Come Alera let us go see this magnificent man."

Alera nodded. She knew of her interest. The other girls were curious, but not to the point like she was.

She grabbed her black veil. It was her favorite color. The love of black ran in

Alera deceased family. Maleka loved to be late, so there was no rush, but Alera was still impatient. She paced back and forth, as Maleka watched and laughed at her. She turned, grinned sheepishly, and shrugged. Finally, she nodded, and the others and Alera followed her out to the balcony that over looked a small courtyard. She had the man wait there, guarded by half a dozen eunuchs.

When they stepped out onto the balcony, the eunuchs had their yataghans drawn and were advancing upon him, but were driven back by a shower of multicolored sparks, which issued from his fingertips and ignited a perfect circle of flames around him. Alera stared. He was very tall, taller even then most men. And thin, very thin. He was dressed all in black. A white mask covered his face. He moved with a gracefulness and dexterity that made her even more interested in this man.

Maleka began to clap in a mocking way. To some, it would sound like she was unimpressed, but Alera knew she was delighted. He turned and stared up at her. When he did, they saw his eyes. They were yellow and glowing with much intelligence.

"I trust that you have not come all the away from Russia simply to show me fireworks," Maleka said softly.

"By no means, Madame. That indeed was a mere trifle, to amuse tiresome children."

He indicated the eunuchs with a scornful gesture.

No one was prepared for his voice. When he spoke, Alera let out a small gasp. Maleka turned and glanced at her in amusement. She smiled, and then turned back to him to laugh.

"If that is a mere trifle, then I am eager to see your true skills. And to also see you, my friend. That mask is likewise a device to frighten children. Remove it!"

Alera saw him tense. She had a feeling that he wore it for a reason. But she was just as curious as Maleka and the others behind them. Alera moved up closer. Again, Maleka glanced at her. Alera shrugged; she shook her head in amusement.

Alera turned her eyes back down to the man in the courtyard. He had gone very still, his fists clenched at his side, every muscle in his body tensed. "Madame, I see that you crave your indulgence in this but I would rather not."

"Indeed!" Maleka turned to look at Alera, and then glare at the other women. They had been whispering. They shut up right away.

"Then perhaps I should remind you that only women hide their faces in this country, remove it or I shall have the children, make you into a woman, and carry your genitalia around with you in a small jar." Maleka stirred uneasily, she was not use to having some one to defy her. Maleka spared a glace back at Alera. Alera shook her head, than they turned back to the man.

He made a graceful shrug of indifference. "Are you so sure a small would contain me, Madame?"

Alera laughed lightly, as Maleka laughed, delighted. "I am sure of nothing where you are concerned, but I warn you now. In deadly intensity. This is the last time I will overlook your disobedience. Take off your mask!"

He glared up at her. As he started to take of the mask, his eyes suddenly met Alera's. They pinned her to the spot. The things Alera saw in his eyes she couldn't decipher. They broke away. Alera shook her head, trying to clear her brain. Suddenly, the other women began to scream and cry, panicking. Alera focused her eyes back on the man. She knew there was a reason he had worn a mask. His face was like a living skull. The bone structure showed though the thin skin that was stretched across his face. There was no nose, which may have been the worst part, looking upon a living face that had no nose. His eyes were shrunken into his skull. No one could see his eyes; Alera then realized that you could only see the amber colored eyes if they were in shadow. He was truly ugly, but she was neither afraid nor disgusted. Alera was spellbound, fascinated.

Maleka turned to snap at the women, "Be silent! The next woman that screams will be beaten for her stupidity, I swear it! Now go! Get out of my sight!"

Alera sighed and turned to leave when she grabbed her arm. "You can stay." She nodded and thanked her with her eyes. The other women ran, their bracelets and jewels clinking. Alera walked up closer to the balcony, standing almost beside her. He glanced at Alera in surprise, and then turned to Maleka. She had placed her hands on the white stone ledge.

She smiled down at him with satisfaction. Without breaking eye contact, she held out her hand to Alera. She pulled a large diamond ring from chain of many rings that she was in charge of. Alera handed it to her. She glanced at, and then threw it at him. He caught it with out seeming to move.

"If your imagination matches your face, it will make you the most powerful man in all of Persia."

Alera saw a small smile cross his thin lips.

"Is that a prophecy, or a promise?"

She just laughed, turned, and walked away. As she passed by Alera, she nodded, finally giving her a high honor. Alera smiled and walked to where she had been. Alera nodded down at him. He stared up at her.

"The prophecy, or promise is entirely for you to decide, sir." Alera then turned and walked back into the room.