Disclaimer: Yep I don't own Phantom and all that other jazz!
Gawth: There will be fluff! *throws cotton balls in the air* Look! Fluffiness!
nannyandpotocrazy: as you wish!
Horses of Shadow and Night: I like that title... much better! WAFFLE FLOWERS? OMOG!
PhantomWaffles: they had WiFi in the waffle house so I updated there! :3 I think the weasel was killed by angry reviewers... I don't know for sure though...
Axelion the Vampire Phantom: I would NEVER burn down the opera house! RoseLoveHeartBeating on the other hand... Well...
BumYurrDead: *sniffles* thank you for such a lovely review!
Tessa16Ricci: YES! SOMEONE NOTICED THE LES MIS SONG! *dances* ugh! POM! *shudders* so horrible!
Maxniss Everide: It is based off the movie... So you know what will happen... maybe...
JediGreenGirl: Ahhh... Cliffies... What a wonderful thing... *evil laugh*
Adriatic Rose: *zombie groan* Must... read... FanFics... to... LIVE... *giggles*
phantombuggo: I like the idea of Carlotta being eaten by squirrels... *rubs hand together and gives an evil laugh* I am a totally awesome authoresses? Cool! *gives hugs and waffles*
TheScarletIbis: I am happy you love the story!
Chapter 28 – Triumphant?
Sneaking past the scene-shifters and making my way towards the stage, I couldn't help but grin. Piangi had been gagged and contained in a secluded room; they wouldn't find him until much later. Nothing could ruin this night…everything had to be perfect…I listened to my darling Lotte sing her part, then silence…
With my mask and cape covering my face, I stepped out from behind the curtain. "Passarino - go away! For the trap is set and waits for its prey..."
Lotte froze from where she sat, slowly turning her head towards me. I held back a gasp. Her exotic emerald eyes were staring at me, large and blinking in amazement. Her dark hair cascaded around her face, past her pale neck, and over her exposed shoulders. The dress she wore was…
I wasn't myself anymore. I was Don Juan. Bringing myself to my full height, I twirled my cape and stalked towards her. "You have come here, in pursuit of your deepest urge…in pursuit of that wish which til now has been silent…silent…I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge! In your mind, you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me…now you are here with me, no second thoughts, you've decided…decided…"
I had her in my grip. Her eyes had fluttered shut for a moment, tilting her head back as she relished in the music, in my voice, before slowly standing up.
"Past the Point of No Return. No backward glances, our games of make-believe are at an end…Past all thought of 'if' or 'when'. No use resisting! Abandon thought and let the dream descend…!" Letting my hands run over her skin, I ravished her, feeling the warmth of her body radiate onto mine. She was shuddering, a look of ecstasy on her face. "What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us? Past the Point of No Return…The final threshold, what warm unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the Point of No…Return…"
Now Lotte gazed at me, silently, heavily breathing. The words spilled from her mouth and flooded me, filling me with emotions I had only imagined and dreamt of while composing. "You have brought me, to that moment when words run dry. To that moment when speech disappears into silence…silence…" Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Rin, Erica, Meg, and Madame Giry in the wings, watching with uncertainty. I found it strange that Christine wasn't with them…but that didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was Lotte. "I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why. In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent…now I am here with you, no second thoughts, I've decided…decided…"
My heartbeat began to accelerate as we headed for the stairs, headed for the balcony above us. Halfway there…
"Past the Point of No Return…No going back now, our passion-play has now at last begun…Past all thought of 'right' or 'wrong'…one final question: how long should we two wait before we're one? When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us?"
Elegantly flinging my cape off, I headed for her, wrapping my arms around her thin frame. Our voices blended, sounding perfect: "Past the Point of No Return! The final threshold – the bridge is crossed! So stand, and watch it burn! …We've passed the Point of No…Return…"
Fear coursed through me as I caressed her collarbone, all eyes upon us. I could've sworn I heard movement in the background, but I ignored it. Softly, I sang something that wasn't part of the play. Feeling for a cool, small object in my pocket, I slowly brought it out as I said:
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime…lead me, save me from my solitude…Say you'll want me with you here beside you…" Lotte had turned around at this, confused. That's when I held up the silver diamond engagement ring…the one I had meant to give her the night of the Masquerade…Clutching her hand, I sang louder: "Anywhere you go, let me go too! Lotte, that's all I ask of-!"
I never got to finish. A treacherous hand from behind had snuck up and snatched my mask off, revealing me to everyone. My eyes went wide in fear…and anger. Lotte's eyes were also large, but not because of me. They were gawking beyond me. "Christine?" she gasped.
Fury bubbled within me as I spun around. There stood Christine, her face covered in horror, her hands clutching my mask. One had went her mouth, as she whispered, "Oh my Lord…!"
Enough was enough! Slipping a dagger from my belt, I cut a nearby rope, one of a group that helped keep the chandelier in place. Then, snatching both girls, I kicked a stub to my left, causing a trap door to open beneath us and take us down, below the opera and into my dark abode…
This chapter was by Rose LoveHeartBeating
Luxa: so... I'll just let you think that over a bit... Review for waffles... are you ready for Down Once More?
