AN: I have used the whole song lyrics for Music of the Night in this chapter----I do hope that you do not find it boring, but I'm an old softie, and wanted to give Erik and Kristy some time to themselves-----I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 10
' All I Ask of You'
V woke slowly, his eyes adjusting to the semi darkness that surrounded him. Glancing to the right, he found Evey, her arm lying on his chest, just beneath his neck so not to put any pressure on the area around his wound. Raising his left arm, his hand gently caressed the curls lying on his shoulder.
Sighing softly, Evey's eyes opened, locking with V's. " Hello." She smiled up at him, her hand gently touching his cheek. " How are you feeling?"
" Much better, seeing you by my side." His fingers moving a curl away from her face.
" You scared me for awhile there."
" My apologies." A soft smile played across his lips. " How long......."
" Have you been out?" Evey finished the question for him. " Almost a week." She rose to set beside him, her hand in his.
" The opera house----the work continues?"
Evey giggled softly, " Eric hasn't left the site since you were brought to the Shadow Gallery."
V pulled her gently into his arms to lay beside him. " I knew Erik wouldn't let me down."
" I don't think Erik would let his own self down." Evey replied as she snuggled closer, listening to the heartbeats that soon lulled her into a peaceful sleep.
-------------------------------------------
The lone figure traveled swiftly through the tunnels toward the center of the underground. With the black cape flaring behind him, Erik hurried to find Kristy. It had been a week since he had seen or spoken to her as the Phantom, and the feel of abandonment was starting to settle over him. He knew that she was still cataloging items from the underground and hoped she would be there. Moving closer, in the distance he could hear the music he had wanted so desperately to be playing. He stopped close to the secret wall, opening it a mere inch. Kristy's voice came slowly through the doorway, and he listened without uttering a breath-----she was an aphrodisiac to him.
" Sing my angel, sing for me....." He spoke softly as he pressed his mask-covered face to the wall, closing his eyes.
Sensing she was no longer alone, Kristy stopped, and looked around the dimly lit opening. " Is there someone there?" She asked the shadows.
" Just I, my angel." Erik's voice changed to the one he always used when speaking to her------a trick he had learned in Turkey many years ago. Being able to change or throw your voice did have its advantages.
" Teacher......" She spoke softly, looking around, trying to see where the voice was coming from. " I thought you had left because of the excavation......" She stopped, a smile covering her lips, " please, come out, let me see you."
Erik felt a cold wave of shock and rejection flow through him. Would it end the same way as Christine's betrayal had? Would she pull away the mask, and turn from him in disgust, or even worse, pity? He could not stand the thought!
" Please? I just want to see a face to go with the voice I....." Kristy stopped abruptly.....'love?' The word echoed in her mind------was she falling in love with a disembodied voice? " I have never ask anything of you before , please...." she paused looking around, a look of desperation on her face, " I want to see you."
Erik sighed heavily as he listened to the pleading voice, weighing his options carefully. Then taking a deep shaky breath and following his heart, he emerged from the shadows, the white mask catching the reflection of the dim lights.
Kristy stared as he walked slowly into the full light, her mouth open slightly, her eyes moving over the figure some feet away. " Oh my god....." She began, the words whispered into the silence," you're the ghost everyone has been talking about...." Her feet moved her forward until she slowly reached up and touched the mask that covered the right side of his face. " You're not so scary." She smiled as her lips touched his briefly before he turned his face from her. Again, shock cascaded over Erik as Kristy's hand remained resting lightly on his shoulder. She watched as he backed away. " Did I do something wrong?"
Erik turned to face her. " No, it is not you...." His head dropped, turmoil churned in his mind.
" Then what?" Her hand raised his chin so she could see his were deep brown, almost chocolate in color.
" What lies behind this mask, it not for eyes as innocent as yours." He answered gruffly, pulling away from her touch.
" Why does the mask bother you so?" She questioned. Her hand reached toward it once again.
Erik took her hand in his gloved one. " Do you wish to continue your lessons?"
" Of course." Kristy smiled up at him. " Why wouldn't I?"
" We will continue in my home." Erik answered taking her hand and leading her to the secret passage.
" You live in the catacombs, just like Leroux's Phantom...." Kristy stopped and pulled her hand from his. " I almost forgot the player. I'll be right back."
Erik watched as she grabbed the torch, the CD player and her sweater.
" Ok, I'm ready." She answered as she pulled the sweater on and took his hand once again.
-------------------------------------
As they traveled deeper and deeper into the catacombs, Kristy noticed how a haunting chill lay upon the very foundations they were moving through. She had been here before, but had never gone beyond the third floor----the remaining two levels, she had heard from Monsieur Maurer were large enough to hold a town. But the figures she had encountered looming in the darkness, had taken on the forms of demons----maybe from a nightmare she had had long ago----whatever she had seen had hurried her return to the safety of the tunnel junction----she gripped Erik's gloved hand tighter. Soon, they were on the edge of a lake whose leaden waters stretched into the distance, into the darkness; but the blue light lit up the bank and Kristy saw a little boat fastened to an iron ring on the wharf. Extending his hand, Erik help her take her place upon a cushioned seat, then he entered from the steps, taking a long pole from the side of the boat, and began to push it through the water with a quick, powerful stroke; and his eyes, under the mask, never left her face. Kristy watched as they silently slid by large grotesque heads and statues that lined the passageway, torches that were embedded into stone giving life to shadows that lurked among the walls, and large candelabras that were set in strategic spots through the many twists and turns that Erik guided the boat through. Rounding a corner, a large iron gate hung overhead, separating the tunnel from the labyrinth's entrance, and Kristy gasped in awe as they moved under it, then once again, they had touched the shore. Erik left the boat first, extending his gloved hand to Kristy as she stepped onto a stone floor.
" Oh my...." She sighed in awe as she looked at cavern she now stood in. The entire cave was lit candelabras of every size and shape, although electric lights ran along the walls in various places. " It's beautiful here...." Her fingers reached out, touching the ornate holders.
" I'm glad you approve." Erik smiled at her as he flung the cape from his shoulders and laid it upon a nearby table.
Kristy now had the chance to observe her opera ghost. He wore a dark burgundy regency tailcoat with a white lace shirt underneath. His dark hair lay away from his forehead, and the tight black breeches he wore, accented the muscular thighs and legs that disappeared into knee high black leather boots. But what caught Kristy's attention the most was the eyes that watched her from beneath the white mask.
" Kristy...." The ghost took her hand, " I have spoken with both Dr. Penway and Monsieur Maurer...."
" You've spoken to them?" She looked up at the mask. " How?"
" The same way I speak with you, from the shadows." Erik looked deeply into her eyes, " Both have agreed with me that ' The Phantom of the Opera ' will be performed opening night. We want you to portray Christine Daae."
" Me?" Kristy's eyes widened in surprise. " Why me? I can't do that....." She turned from him, walking away.
" Kristy...." She felt the gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder, " Look at me." He ordered.
She turned to face him.
" Don't ever believe that you are not good enough........you have a beautiful voice, and I will teach you everything you need to become a great opera star----" He paused, taking her hands in his. " Just have faith in me."
Kristy smiled as she pulled her hands free of his, then cupped his face, looking into the eyes of the man she was falling in love with. " You are the most wonderful man I have ever known. You are kind, sincere and a great maestro. You have come from the darkness into my life, and have given me a purpose. " She ran her fingers across the mask gently. " Yes, I will perform the opera, but on one condition....."
" Name it, and if it is within my power, I will grant it--------I will never deny you anything." One of his hands drew her small fingers to his lips.
" If you will portray my love, become my Phantom." She answered him, her eyes staring into the depths of his soul.
Erik's expression grew cold, as he released her hand. " Anything I will grant you----" He paused, turning away, " but never that!" Old wounds were opening deep inside as he stood there, his head bowed, his hands clenched into fists by his side.
" Why?" Kristy questioned as she touched his arm. " The music has become part of you----your voice is the voice of the Phantom......"
" I can not!" He roared furiously as painful memories reared their ugly heads---- picking up a candlestick, he sent it across the room, breaking as it hit against one of the thick walls. " I will not!"
Kristy backed away from him---this man she thought she knew. Taking a deep breath, she spoke." Then I cannot be Christine."
Eric turned to her, his face contorted in rage, but she walked away. Stopping by the CD player, she pushed the 'play' button.
' In sleep he sang to me,
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me
And calls my name
And do I dream again?
For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Inside my mind.'
The words left her mouth with such passion that Erik's heart skipped a beat, his fury subsiding.
' Sing once again with me,
Our strange duet,
My power over you,
Grows stronger yet......Kristy's eyes closed as she felt the words Erik sang instead of hearing them, Extending his gloved hand, he whispered softly, " Walk with me." Leading her from the alcove, Kristy soon found herself in a large chamber, its walls illuminated by hundreds of candles, a huge organ sat atop a flat, stone ledge, overlooking the lake.
' I have brought you
to the the seat of sweet music's throne
to this kingdom where all must pay homage to music.....
music.....
You have come here,
for one purpose, and one alone
Since the Moment I first heard you sing,
I have needed you with me,
to serve me, to sing,
for my music....
my music....' Erik's soft, low sensual voice filled the room as the beginning of ' Music of the Night' echoed softly through the chamber. He moved away from her, passing between the huge candelabras that graced the underground labyrinth. Kristy followed him with her eyes.
' Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation.
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defences.......' Kristy reached out and took his offered hand as she moved across the floor with him, looking in awe at the wonderful things that occupied his home.
' Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour.
Grasp it, sense it tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day.... He gently turned her face to his.
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
And listen to the music of the night ' Kristy watched as he moved away from her , walking up a nearby set of steps leading to where a huge organ set, surrounded by candles. Stopping, he turned to her, his eyes never leaving hers.
' Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams
purge your thoughts of the life you knew before....... Kristy closed her eyes, Erik's voice pulling her more into the dream world of the Phantom.
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar
And you'll live as you've never lived before ' Opening her eyes, she watched as he approached her, taking her hand in his.
' Softly, deftly, music shall caress you
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.... Erik led Kristy slowly up the stair coming to a halt by the organ.
Taking her hands in his, he leaned toward her, their foreheads nearly touching, then backed away.
Open up your mind,
Let your fantasies unwind....Kristy lowered her face, her cheeks touched with a rose hue.
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night.'
She watched as her phantom slowly left her side, moving between organ and candelabras, his voice, casting a spell on her.
Let your mind start to journey through a strange, new world
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before
Let your soul take you where you long to be ….Erik approached Kristy, his gloved hands touched her face gently as he looked into her eyes.....
Only then can you belong to me.....He turned her in his arms, her back laying against his chest as his arms caressed her ribcage and slowly moved over her stomach.
' Floating, falling,
sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me....Slowly, Erik raised her hand to his face, her fingers touching the warmth of his cheek.
Savour each sensation!
Let the dream begin,let your darker side give in..... He led her down the steps, and into another section of the labyrinth.
the music that I write -
the power of the music of the night … He took her hands in his as they stopped in front of a draped archway.
You alone can make my song take flight -
help me make the music of the night … His voice seem to plead with her, and Kristy slowly slid her arms around his neck. Suddenly she was being lifted up, in his tight embrace. His eyes betrayed all the emotions that were coursing through his body at that moment as he locked with hers. Gently, Kristy pulled his head downward till their lips touched, and she was lost in a whirlwind of desire. In a few steps, he carried her into his private bedchambers, laying her gently down upon the huge swan bed. Reaching up, Kristy welcomed him into her arms, their lips embracing once again. Erik was without words as he felt himself being pulled down into a whirlpool of swirling emotions. His hands began to explore her body slowly, memorizing every dip and curve into the recesses of his mind----but then, he stopped, withdrawing from her embrace and rose to his feet beside the bed.
" What is it?" Kristy asked, her eyes half closed.
He looked down on the beautiful young girl that he so desperately wanted to share his love with, but a nagging voice in the back of his mind brought fear and rejection into his life once again. " Gather your things, I will return you to the surface."
Kristy hurried from the bed grabbing his arm. " What have I done?! What's wrong?!" She asked.
Erik was silent momentarily, then turned to her. " If you wish to continue your lessons, meet me at the juncture tomorrow night."
" No." The answer was sharp. She hurried from the room, stopping only long enough to get her things, then looked over her shoulder. " I will not do Christine without you, and you may tell Mr. Maurer and Dr. Penway that." She paused, gathering her composure, " Now, please take me back to my work." If he was going to push her away, why should she resist----after all, it was only love.