Author's note: It is the weekend and you get a treat! The next installment...but before you go any further!!!! As you are reading try to think of something to say at the end. Is it really that time consuming to say hello at the end? I've worked so hard to get this out to all of you, couldn't you take one minute to write a little something to me?
*bats eyelashes in a persuasive manner*
Pretty please with sugar on top??
Enjoy!
---
Erik
---
I rolled over in bed Saturday morning and sighed as I gazed at the empty side of the bed. I'd left Christine upstairs last night because she'd fallen into a deep sleep after using my wickedness on her. I paced her room for an hour waiting for her to wake but she remained asleep and so I had made the decision to leave her there to sleep off the effects of my persuasive, evil voice. I grumbled as I rose from bed, annoyed with how weak I became as soon as she decided she wanted something. I had to learn to tell her no eventually. I couldn't just say yes all the time to every demand she made.
I was quite worried that there would be lingering effects of my having erased our conversation. I'd never thought to release someone with one of my suggestions still in their mind. The only time I'd ever left people hypnotized is when I would be killing them in a few hours, but even those people were not left with suggestions, they were in a controlled, pain free state of mind the entire time.
I wanted to watch over Christine all night, but to stay up there until she woke was not the smartest thing for me to do. I'd been lured to stay at her side before and ended up having a seizure on the floor of her room. So, I left her last night and made off to my cave to wash and recuperate. An entire day of digging had drained my energy and though I missed my innocent lover's warm touch, I was glad to swallow the laudanum last night and just collapse.
Today was an important day and it was a good thing I was well rested. I glued the rubber in place and dressed in a nice suit, but not too nice. I did not want the managers to think I was made of money and could afford to keep raising my price. I made my way above early, hoping to visit with Christine before I had to meet Cameron.
She was awake, and just seeing her straightening the blankets on her bed had my heart hammering in my chest. I slid the mirror out of the way and embraced her from behind.
"Are you well, my love?" I asked with urgency.
"Erik." She slithered around and clasped me in her arms. "I was hoping you would come. I missed being next to you last night."
"I know the feeling," I cupped her chin to gaze into her eyes.
The familiar golden fire balmed me before I gave in to the urge to kiss her thoroughly. Our hands wandered while our lips and tongues mated and I backed her onto her bed and laid her down to press her into her perfectly straightened sheets. Her arms tangled around my neck and we lost ourselves in the moment. We were both fully dressed, but our bodies still hungered for each other. It was tangible in every sigh, every breath, and every touch that our need was mutual. Our love was still a beautiful miracle of awesome proportions and my heart soared that it had not been lost in one foolish moment of weakness.
I slowed my assault to bury my face in her neck and take in her delicate scent. "I love you."
"Mmmm I love you too." She played her fingers through my hair and then suddenly stopped. "I've completely wrecked your hair, Erik." She sounded upset and I smiled as I rose to help her stand back up.
"It can be salvaged," I ran my fingers through it a few times and glanced sideways at my reflection. It was good enough. I straightened my jacket as Christine fussed over a few strands. "It's fine, pet."
"You were perfect before I messed you all up." Her words rang in my head and I thanked God that she was still perfect. If my evil had lingered on her...
I tried to put those thoughts from my head while she was fixated on my hair, but I took her hands in mine to stop their fussing. "Do you feel normal this morning?" I couldn't resist checking as I twirled a stray curl around my finger and caressed her cheek with the softness.
"As normal as ever, except that I woke up alone," her bottom lip jutted out in a pout and I could not resist leaning down to nibble it carefully. We could not stop there and I sucked her protruding lip into my mouth and kissing her soundly. Her hands traveled around my waist and down over my backside.
"Christine..." I growled, as her hands wandered around my hips and down the front of my thighs.
"I'm trying to leave your hair alone," she breathed as her fingers grazed my cock.
"So you are teasing other areas instead?" A smile was forming on my mouth, making it difficult to continue kissing her, and she giggled.
"Other more exciting areas..." she slid her palm down the length of my hard shaft and I groaned in her neck.
"Christine, we can not...ahh," my words of protest were dying in my throat as Christine rubbed me gently.
"I know," she whispered, her hands skirting back around me to press our bodies. "This fire inside me is uncontrollable..." her breath shuddered in and out and she pulled her hands away from me completely. We stood inches apart staring intently into each other's eyes.
"The same fire burns in me as well," I said softly, resisting the urge to check the time and figure out if there was enough of it to be very naughty.
"Next time you decide to sleep elsewhere, just bring me with you."
An easy smile spread my lips. "Was I to carry you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes?"
"Could you not rouse me?" her brow furrowed in concern and I shook my head.
"I did not try. You needed to sleep." Her arms came around my body and her forehead rested on my chest.
"I needed my husband," she nuzzled me and I chuckled.
"I am not yet your husband, but I will be soon," I vowed.
"I can hardly wait," she squeezed me tightly.
"Mmm hmm," I held her against me, reveling in her warm embrace. "If I recall, you wanted to hide for an entire month," I teased her and she laughed nervously. "Do you think a month will be long enough to quench this fire between us?" My question was meant as a jest but Christine pulled away to gaze up at me.
"A lifetime is not long enough for me." Her honest admission had me kissing her again and it was another few minutes before we parted ways. I was meeting Cameron before rehearsal and our plan was to watch until the first break and then approach the managers. Hopefully they would see us right away and we could acquire ownership of the opera house immediately. I hoped they were not too greedy or too stubborn. I was not the most patient man and if they began to show signs of...
I halted in my step as a terribly wicked idea formed in my head.
If the managers showed signs of difficulty, I could just hypnotize them. They would not even remember it.
That was a horrid idea, but as I made my way towards where Cameron would meet me, it kept festering in my mind. I would only use it as a last resort. Only if they refused to sell. I would only use it if we had no other option.
I entered the grand hall from behind Cameron, as if he was expecting me to come from the front entrance. I felt slightly sheepish as I came up beside him.
"Good morning, Erik." He turned as he nodded politely and I returned the gesture.
"Cameron," he looked calm and comfortable. Two emotions that were the furthest from me at the moment. Christine had done a very good job of rousing me and my body was still tingling from her touch. Thinking of the meeting with the managers had added to that by making me tense and on guard. I had been hesitant to approach them with my ideas for the opera before and had, instead, childishly created a Phantom, but now I was actually closing myself into an office with them to do business? Hopefully they did not recognize the scary voice that whispered their names and told them to obey coming from the prospective buyer's lips. What would Cameron think if I became impatient and hypnotized both men right in front of his eyes?
I should fully disclose to Cameron how I intended to get my way if things did not go well. He needed to know that whatever happened, I was not harming anyone, but I also hoped to not use my ability at all, so I said nothing about it. "I prefer not to speak too much and will allow you to speak on behalf of us both to barter and see what they will sell for."
"I do not mind," his smile was easy and I felt as if his ease made me even more tense.
"If I feel things are not turning in our favor, I am taking over the negotiations."
"Erik." He frowned at me, "Did you not sleep well last night? You look frightfully tense."
"Do not change the subject," I frowned right back at him. "I am stepping in if I don't like where things are headed."
Cameron tossed his hands in the air. "I would never dream of stopping you, as long as the outcome is mutually beneficial to all."
"Of course," I nodded and we made our way into the theater to sit through the morning rehearsal. Hannibal was on schedule to open tonight and this morning consisted of a full dress rehearsal, though not every number would be fully sung or danced. There was no reason to give away everything to the patrons who had shown up for the early start.
"The costumes are marvelous, we will have to keep the seamstress on staff," Cameron mussed loud enough for me to hear.
"Most of the crew is good," I agreed with him. "We need a few new musicians but the conductor stays as well."
"Monsieur Reyer?" Cameron nodded slowly. "Yes, he does handle everyone quite efficiently."
We quieted down as rehearsal began. Carlotta was onstage, belting out her solo, and I realized I forgot my ear plugs. I grimaced and hoped I did not develop a headache with such an important meeting coming up. Half way through her solo, Carlotta stopped abruptly and informed Monsieur Reyer that the slave girls were distracting her with their waving arms. I rolled my eyes towards Cameron and he suppressed a smile and leaned close.
"Good thing our Diva, is not such a Diva," I nodded and Christine and the rest of the cast found their starting positions again. My eyes stayed on Christine as they began again, and soon enough hers flicked out to the audience and searched for me. She smiled softly as our eyes met and then she dropped her gaze as her cheeks flushed with color. I thoroughly enjoyed the effect my gaze had on her and did not notice the progression of the rehearsal until Carlotta backed up smack into Christine and they both fell over with a swirl of colorful petticoats.
"You quiet little toad! What are you doing in my spot?" Carlotta shoved her out of the way as she attempted to rise with Piangi's help.
"I am so sorry," Christine started as her cheeks reddened even more and everyone fell into a hush.
"You are a worthless waste of skin you freckled little sparrow!" My feet were under me before I could think and Cameron's hands were pulling me back down into my seat. He did have strong arms to be able to do such a thing and I looked at him with a snarl on my face as my ass hit the chair.
"Do not tip our hand," he warned quietly, his grip very firm on my arm. "All will be taken care of shortly. You can even fire her personally if you so desire."
He was right. I couldn't rush to Christine's defense and apparently did not have to because Meg was suddenly helping Christine up.
"Go blow your horn some where else!" she waved Carlotta away as she helped Christine to her feet. "Are you alright?" she brushed at Christine's skirts. "Having a fat cow land on you must hurt."
Laughter skittered through the cast and Carlotta flushed a dark red.
"You beast!" She raged at Meg, who turned and stood in front of Christine, with hands on hips, like she would protect her from any assault, verbal or otherwise.
She looked Carlotta up and down with disdain. "I wouldn't talk about being a beast." Carlotta looked ready to explode.
"You little whore..." she started and Meg shoved her hand in Carlotta's face.
"Shut your face and let's get back to rehearsing. Whenever you're ready Monsieur Reyer?" Meg singsonged and Carlotta had to bite her tongue as the conductor finally picked his chin up off the floor and took control of things.
They managed to make it part way through the first half but everyone was out of sorts. Christine kept watching Carlotta nervously because Carlotta was throwing hate filled looks her way. The music was the only redeeming part of the morning, for the orchestra was finely tuned. The cast was nervous and the movements did not look comfortable as they skirted around one another and I noticed the managers speaking amongst themselves quite a lot. By the time the first break came I had a feeling our meeting would go well. Hannibal looked like it could very well be a disaster tonight and if we did not step in, the managers would probably have postponed opening night. If they knew what they were doing, which was suspect to begin with.
"How shall we approach them?" Cameron asked and I stood sharply. "Wait." He stopped me and I sat back down. "I think it would be better to take this slowly and not give away too much. We do not want to seem too eager." Cameron watched the managers speaking with some of the dancers. "They appear to enjoy the girls, so we could offer them a box free of charge, though it would take away a paying customer..."
"I am not in this for the money. I am only here because of Christine. She deserves to be the star and I will make it happen."
"We will make it happen, my friend." He clapped me on the back and then began wheeling down the aisle. Christine waved at us from the stage where she was speaking with some of the chorus and I raised my hand slightly to let her know I saw her. Meg came forward quickly and plunked herself down at the front of the stage where it was impossible to miss her.
"Good morning, Mlle Giry," Cameron stopped in front of her and addressed her politely.
"Bonjour Comte Inninbalm. Bonjour Erik," she grinned at us both and began re-lacing one of her ballet shoes. "Were you here for the comedy routine earlier?" she queried as if she had not seen us sitting plainly in view.
Cameron laughed easily and I stepped closer to thank her. "Thank you Meghan, for coming to her aid."
"Yes, thank you Meghan," Cameron interrupted and leaned forward with one hand shielding his mouth from me. "Erik was about to jump out of his seat, draw his sword and fly to her rescue himself." They both shared a laugh at my expense while I glowered.
"Erik is the protective type," Meg smiled for me and Cameron settled back into his chair.
"More like over-protective."
"If you two are finished?" I gave them both a dry look, "We have a meeting to instigate." I reminded him and he reached up to the stage, holding out his hand. Meg leaned over to give him her fingers and he held them lightly, running his thumb over the knuckles.
"Mlle Giry, my grandmother adores you and wanted me to ask for you to come visit her again. Could you join us for dinner on Sunday?"
"I would love to," Meg beamed and then turned at the call of her name. Antionette was glaring at us and Meg stood quickly. "I have to go too, see you later Erik. Good bye Cameron." She gave him a saucy little wave and then hurried away with the grace of a dancer.
I fixed him with a look, "Clotilda adores her or you adore her?"
"None of your business," he reply haughtily and then smirked. "But what could be your business is right under our feet. Let us begin this adventure."
---
Christine
---
I tried to pay attention to the conversation around me about our tempo and pace through one of the songs, but my eyes continually darted to glance at Erik. He was so dominantly impressive with the slight glare on his face, his strong height and his perfect posture. Out of all the men milling in the audience he actually looked like a man, like someone who would hunt wild game to feed his family. And when he looked this focused and intense, his eyes only had to meet mine and it could make me feel like his weak little lamb.
Unfortunately it also distracted me from everything around me and now Carlotta probably would drop me off the top of the opera house if she got the chance. I looked for her as well, so I would know where an attack might come from and she was fanning herself at the side of the stage with her attendants flitting around her.
I sighed and glanced back at Erik. They were moving on from Meg and Erik's eyes flicked to mine briefly. He nodded once in departure and turned to follow Cameron's chair. They approached the managers and things seemed to go smoothly as they left, en masse.
"Is that your fiancee, Christine?"
I turned back at my name, "I beg your pardon?"
"Was that your fiancee?" one girl asked as the others all tried to see who she was talking about.
"Where?"
"The man in the green jacket?
"Not him!"
"The one who barged in on rehearsal with the ring."
"Oh right! That tall guy with the cripple?"
I wanted to smack the man who called Cameron a cripple but tried to concentrate. "Yes, that's him."
"He's so tall," she giggled. "Why did they leave with Firmin and André?"
I turned to look in the direction Erik had taken so the people conversing with me could not see the lie on my face. "I do not know."
They chattered on without my help about Erik's height and maybe it was because his companion was in a chair that he appeared so tall, and was it not a very fancy chair and how did the cripple know Meg? Then they went on about possibly asking Meg and I grew tired of their constant need for gossip. I glanced around the stage looking for someone else to speak to and my eyes fell on Carlotta.
Her attendants were gone and she was speaking to one of the scene shifters. I thought his name was Joseph but I couldn't be sure. I wondered why she would be talking to him so intently as he knelt in front of her listening when suddenly they both looked at me. Carlotta's gaze narrowed into a glare and I glanced at the scene shifter and a chill went straight down my spine. I felt like he was a hungry cat and I was a tasty mouse in his sights and I turned away from his unsettling stare to look for Meg.
---
Erik
---
I stood behind Cameron, playing the part of his servant I suppose. I did not want to sit and reveal how edgy I was and he did not introduce me, at my request. I did not want to reveal my name to too many people. Part of the mystery of my housing business would be lost if everyone in Paris knew Erik Karan the opera manager and Erik the engineer were one and the same. I preferred to remain as anonymous as possible.
I also knew there was a sour expression on my face and did not want to tip our hand the wrong way. Whether it was my distaste for the men we were speaking to or my own insecurity about this meeting, I do not know. But I had never particularly cared for these managers. Their previous business was in scrap metal, of all things. They knew nothing about the stage or the music and spent the majority of their time caught up in liquor and women. They had no drive to make a name for themselves or the Opera Garnier.
Cameron was telling them what we wanted and I fought the urge to speak their names and just get what we wanted with the snap of my fingers. Neither one of them looked to have the mental capacity to resist my persuasive tone.
"So you wish to buy the opera? After a rehearsal like that?" Firmin's face scrunched up as if it was crazy for us to want the Garnier.
"My partner and I wish to pursue our mutual musical endeavors and your opera house fits the bill perfectly."
"And you say you will pay us the entire amount all at once?"
"And we can have a box?"
Cameron nodded, "For this season only. Next summer we would expect you to patronage just like everyone else."
They exchanged a look and I thought it was looking good until Firmin turned back and began fiddling with things on his desk. I knew he was trying to figure out how to say no and get more money. I glanced at André and he was looking at me. I raised my brow at him, too proud to look away and he eventually dropped his eyes.
"Your offer is quite generous, gentlemen, but I do not believe it is enough. This opera house will make us rich one day and I feel we have not given it a fair chance yet."
I ground my teeth together as Cameron negotiated with them. If they were not such idiots they would have made Christine the star and been raking in the money, but instead they kept that horrid screeching banshee just because some obviously deaf people in Italy thought she was good.
"That...is a lot of money, monsieur, to do away with so easily." A greedy glint had sprung up within Firmin's eye and I knew he would try to push us to our last nerve. It was enough for me.
"Richard Firmin, Gilles André..." I curled both of their full names on my tongue and realized I had never hypnotized two people at once. "Sit still and be quiet," their eyes glazed over and Cameron glanced at me and then at both of them with confusion on his face.
"What did you just do?" he wheeled closer and waved his hand in front their faces.
"Tipped the hand in our favor." I crossed my arms, "They would have squeezed every last dollar out of us."
"What is wrong with them?" Cameron was snapping his fingers in their faces to no avail.
"I have them under control," I glanced carelessly at the two buffoons and then finally sat in the chair that had been offered. "Before I get us our opera house, I want to make sure you are in agreement."
"To using," he waved his hand, "Whatever this is, on them?"
"No, that is already done, so I obviously do not need your approval for that."
Cameron turned his chair to face me and he looked upset. "I'm not sure I like using parlour tricks to meet our goal."
"I could not stand to listen to another minute of his pathetic, money-hungry reasoning in that annoying tone of his."
Cameron mouth quirked like he wanted to laugh but he schooled his features. "This is not how business is done, Erik," he scolded me.
"What does it matter, if in the end it is mutually beneficially for all? We get our opera, Christine is the star and these two can drink and womanize and spend the ridiculous amount of money we first offered them on whatever they like."
Cameron was studying me and I fought to not squirm under his scrutinizing eye. "You say you have them under control, does that mean you can tell them to do anything?"
"Not anything," I dismissed vaguely. "But I can most certainly tell them to take our deal."
Cameron smiled, "I thought you were planning to take it for nothing, but if we are still giving them money, then that is precisely how business is done." He glanced at the two puppets I had waiting, "Though a little unorthodox. So, how does this work?"
"I tell them to take our deal and then release them from my voice control."
"Is this something you do often?" he asked mildly and I knew he was wondering if he could expect to be hypnotized if I needed something from him.
"No, I have not used it for years. Except on Meghan's mother the other day, but that women is crazy."
"Hmm," his face took on a thoughtful expression and I gave him a moment, though I was pretty sure he was thinking of Meghan and not our business proposal. "Am I safe with you around?"
His words were easy and almost said in jest, but I knew he meant the question with all seriousness. I glanced at the two blank faces and then at Cameron's slightly amused expression. "I may not have had many friends in my life, but I know I would never treat one in this manner. Your mind is safe with me around," I reassured him and he nodded.
"I had to ask." He seemed satisfied, but he thought of something else. "Were you planning to do this all along?"
"I only thought of it this morning. Meghan was asking me last night why I did it to her mother and suggested a few things..." I shrugged uncomfortably as I recalled all the unpleasantness from last night while I tested Meg's suggestions.
"Why would you use this on her mother?"
"I needed some information from her and she is reluctant to speak to me seeing as she hates me."
"And why exactly does she hate you?"
"Apparently I'm evil incarnate." I tried to make it sound like a joke but Cameron did not smile.
"There's something you are not telling me," he mussed and I raised my brow at him.
"Are you ready to tell me how you feel about Meghan?" A smile began to form on his lips.
"No."
"Then you will have to content yourself with what you know." I didn't particularly want him to know I'd murdered people in my past.
"Well, on with the show then," he waved me to proceed and I had one more thought.
"I am not sure how it will effect you when I speak. Perhaps you should stick your fingers in your ears to block some of my voice."
"Do you really think that's necessary?" he looked amused and I was glad he was so easy with my evil skills.
"Like I told you, I have not used this skill of mine in quite some time. Prolonged speech may affect you regardless of whether I say your name or not."
He did as I instructed and I turned with purpose to glare at the two managers.
"At the sound of your name you will remember none of this conversation. You will be filled with a burning desire to be rid of the opera house and all of its problems. You will agree to sell it to someone who is interested in taking on the challenge. At the sound of your name you will remember only that I am here to buy the opera and that you have negotiated a marvelous deal to sell it to me and be rid of the monstrosity."
I hoped that was good but I recalled Christine's fatigue and added one more command.
"At the sound of your name you will come back to yourself feeling refreshed and wide awake as if rising from a deep recuperative rest."
I mentally crossed my fingers and said their names. They both blinked madly as if they had not blinked the entire time I held them and I could not recall seeing them blink. Interesting...
"Gentlemen," Firmin spoke immediately and then paused as if trying to gather his scattered thoughts. Cameron glanced at me and I shrugged minutely.
"We are still willing to purchase the opera house." Cameron explained, "We are very interested in taking on the challenge if you are still looking to sell?"
The two men exchanged looks and I tried not to smile at our obvious success.
"We are all in agreement," Firmin stood and held out his hand for Cameron to shake. "The Opera Garnier is yours."
---
Christine
---
Meg was not around the stage and neither was her mother. I sighed and sat down to rest my feet before we started again and I heard someone approaching me from behind.
It was the scene shifter with the hungry look and I stood quickly so I could run if I had to.
"Christine," he smiled and I got a good look at his yellowed teeth. "My name is Joseph Buquet."
I backed up one step and smiled as best I could. "Hello Monsieur Bouquet, pleasure to meet you."
He reached for my hand and his dirty fingers made me want to bolt, but I let him touch me without shuddering. "Please call me Joseph." He started bowing over my head and if his lips touched me I knew I would pull away. He straightened and was about to say something when Monsieur Reyer rapped on his stand to call us all back.
I tore my hand from his grasp and smiled, though this smile was far more relaxed since I did not have to stay in his company. "I must go, Joseph. It was nice to put another name to another face."
As I turned and hurried away I thought I heard him say, "Until next time, Angel."
---
Erik
---
The managers left their office, now our office, talking excitedly amongst themselves and fingering a few large stacks of money.
"Now we can enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about the money."
"What a good deal we made!"
"Outsmarted those two..." I could no longer make out what they were saying and closed the door to turn and look at Cameron. He'd already pushed the chair behind the desk out of the way and had both his hands resting on the blotter.
"First order of business," he said smartly. "Fire Carlotta!"
"Music to my ears." I smiled and sat down across from him.
"Do you suppose we should go and announce the change in management to the crew?"
"You can annouce it while I stand in the shadows."
Cameron gave me an annoyed look. "I was under the impression that this would be a partnership."
"And I was under the impression that you were compliant with being the face of the business. No one wants this," I gestured to my own visage, "To be the face of anything."
"Whatever is under that mask can not be as bad as you make it seem." This conversation was making my skin crawl and I suddenly did not want to go stand in front of the entire cast and crew and be gawked at. I stood sharply and straightened my jacket.
"I was also under the impression that you did not care what was under this." I tapped the rubber once and then crossed my arms to glare down at him.
"If you are trying to intimidate me, it will not work." He crossed his own arms and stared right back up at me. "You are making a huge deal out of nothing." I suppose I was still tense from the meeting and from using my hypnosis in front of Cameron for no other reason than my being an impatient child. Christine had also roused me to the point of being willing to forgo this entire meeting just to strip her and make wild love to her against the wall in her bedroom. All of those restless emotions is probably what made it so easy for my bottomless anger to flare to the surface.
"How can you say that when you know nothing of my life?" I spat out. "When you do not even know the truth of my appearance? My face has defined everything for me!" I slammed one hand on the table top. "I was ridiculed and hated, scorned and beaten because of my face! And you sit there, so perfect, and deem to judge my behavior by your standards, which can not even begin to understand the difficulties the lack of a real face can cause."
"You have a face, Erik. I'm looking at it right now." Not only was he perfect looking but he had such perfect patience.
"Do you want to see the devil's spawn?" I leaned towards him over the table, leering ineffectively. "You want to stare into the face of evil?"
"What are you talking about?" His perfect face took on a look of bewilderment. "It's your face for Christ's sake. Whatever it looks like just makes you, you."
"Exactly." I muttered darkly wondering if I should just rip off the mask and let him have a look to sate his curiosity. But it would certainly tear the skin again and that would upset Christine.
"Erik, I don't really care what's under your mask, but with that mask on you can barely tell there's anything wrong with your face at all! I had to take a good long look to see where the lines of the rubber extend, it almost perfectly matches your skin tone. Maybe I don't understand what your life was like, but you look like any other man on the street, except that you are now the new owner of the Opera Garnier and you are engaged to its star. That may point you out as better, but other than that..."
I was glaring at him because it annoyed me how simply he thought of my issues. My face marked me as the disgusting, evil spawn that I was. He would never understand that. People feared me when they saw my face because they knew it was the mark of Satan. It's what my mother screamed at me time and again and so far my life has shown it to be true. The exceptions were few and far between, if people wanted to use me then they overcame the fear. And Christine was an angel...
I noticed Cameron hiking up his pant legs out of the corner of my eye.
"What are you doing?"
"Showing you my legs," he replied calmly. "Look at my legs and then tell me if you feel you're better off than I am." He sat back smugly, clearly feeling he'd made his point.
His legs looked undernourished, like there was hardly any flesh beneath the skin and around the bones.
"Why are you showing me?" I looked away angrily, hating that I felt sorry for him, but also hating the relief I felt at the simplicity of my own disfigurement. "I was not interested in seeing that." He began lowering his pant legs.
"Do you think I have not been ridiculed, scorned and disowned for my ailment?"
I wanted to dismiss his words, but I knew they were true. I did feel a kinship with him. It was why I so easily accepted his friendship. I shrugged uncomfortably now. What was wrong with me? First I hypnotize my angel and ask her what I look like, of all things, just to see what she would say in a state of mind control. Then after revealing my evil talents to Cameron, I fly off the handle about, my face, again.
When would I grow up and leave this childish insecurity behind me? I had a woman who loved me. I had a father who loved me. I had two friends now and did not think, with Christine in my life, the number would be stopping there.
"Cameron..." I started lamely and he poked me with a short stick. I jumped in surprised wondering where the hell he procured a stick and watched him slide it back into a concealed hollow in the side of his chair. My eyes flicked over his chair now, wondering if he carried more concealed weapons upon his person at all times.
"We are better than other men," his eyes glowed with conviction. "We have dealt with controversy and come out on top, stronger and more determined then ever." I felt silly to be taking this pep talk from him but it also felt strangely uniting. "We use our cunning and intelligence to get what we need and get where we need to go and one more thing..."
I gave him all my attention.
"You have the sweetest, most beautiful woman I have ever met as your fiancee, so shut the hell up." He was laughing again and I was grateful for his youthful wisdom and charming humor. He saw me relax and added, "If you are not careful I may actually try stealing her for myself."
"You would try and fail," I smirked at him now.
"See," he pointed at me. "Think of how confident you feel right now, how confident you are in Christine, and use that." My face sobered. He was telling me what I already knew. If Christine was at my side I could walk into any room and endure any torment.
I glanced at his legs. But my friend would never walk. He crossed his arms.
"Are you feeling sorry for me?" he queried mildly and my brow furrowed. "Don't." He demanded and then pretended to fix his hair. "At least I have my dashing looks."
My mouth quirked against my will. "Cameron Inninbalm, congratulations on your dashing looks," I held out my hand for him to shake. "And your new opera house." His grip was hard and strong, determination in every fiber of his being.
"Congratulations on your two working legs, and the successful purchase of the Opera Garnier. Now, shall we go tell the crew that they have been taken over by two extraordinarily talented musicians?"
---
Christine
---
Cameron and Erik came into rehearsal and sat at the front to wait for a break. Erik looked relaxed and comfortable and I smiled at him when his eyes found me. I couldn't help it even though the scene we were doing should not be graced with smiles. I tried to focus on the music and my singing cues and do a good job as part of the chorus. We moved through the second act without the major problems of the first and when we reached the end Erik and Cameron moved to speak with Monsieur Reyer. They said a few words and Reyer looked shocked, but rapped the stand to gather everyone's attention.
"Ecouté!" he called loudly and everyone stopped moving and talking. Silence descended and I saw tension crawl back into Erik. I stared at him, trying to give him support through what I knew would not be easy for him.
"Bonjour," Cameron waved from his chair with a friendly smile on his face. It was good he looked so friendly because Erik was beginning to glare again. "I am Count Inninbalm and this is my associate Erik Karan. We have just purchased the opera Garnier from Firmin and André and wanted to say hello."
Tittering giggles came from a few of the dancers and feet shuffled.
"I can assure you that we are both strong musicians and look forward to working with you all to create the best performances Paris has ever seen. That being said," his pleasant voice carried easily through the silent theatre. "We have decided to postpone the opening of Hannibal."
That caused a huge surge of noise from those gathered. Cries came up from the patrons and the cast and crew alike, and Cameron held up his hands.
"We do not think this morning's rehearsal went well enough to perform it tonight but there will still be a performance this evening." The crowd hushed to hear what he had to say. "Monsieur Reyer can help us create a medley type performance where we can showcase all the talent we have. Hannibal will open after Christmas when we have hopefully ironed out some of the kinks." Cameron was a fine speaker and when members began throwing questions at him about their contracts and what would be performed tonight he laughed and held up his hands again to stop the influx of queries. "Contracts will be honored to the best of our abilities. No one will go hungry, I can promise you that. If everyone could take a short break, perhaps twenty minutes and then convene back here, I think that is enough time for Monsieur Reyer and us two to figure out what we can perform tonight." He glanced at Reyer for approval and he nodded.
"Twenty minutes!" Reyer called out and everyone sort of broke, but they were all too interested in the new management so, not many people left.
I wanted to rush over to Erik, but stayed calm and took a few breaths as Meg and Julie bounced over.
"Your fiance bought the Garnier?" Julie was surprised and Meg looked smug because she had been privy to this information.
"Don't discount the count." Meg giggled and Julie glanced at the men.
"He is handsome..." she started and Meg grabbed her roughly.
"I saw him first." She growled in Julie's face and Julie looked shocked.
"I don't want a cripple," she shoved Meg away and then laughed. "But apparently you do," she smirked and turned away calling some of the other girls. "Violet? Marjorie? Listen to this..." she moved away from us and I put my hands on Meg's shoulders to soothe her and keep her from running after Julie to pounce on her back and choke the life from her. Meg was seething as she turned to me.
"I hate the word cripple," she grumbled and I agreed.
"They don't even know him and yet they judge him." I realized it was the same for Erik as well. I watched him chatting with Monsieur Reyer and Cameron and thought he looked remarkably calm. Of course he would be. They were speaking about music and no one knew more about music then Erik.
"You know, Maman called him a cripple too," Meg said softly as we both tried not to stare at the men's conference.
"What?" I was surprised Mme Giry would use such a word herself, but recalled her prejudice towards Erik and guessed that she held prejudices towards many people.
"She wanted to know why he knew me, why he was talking to me..." Meg turned and rested her head on my shoulder. "He invited me for dinner tomorrow night but Maman won't let me go." Her voice was soft and sad.
"Why ever not? Doesn't she want you married off?"
"Yes, but not to a cripple who can not care for me. Her words, not mine."
"Well..." I wanted to say that was rubbish but who was I to refute what a mother wants for her daughter. Of course, Mme Giry was not the best mother in the world...
"Perhaps, Erik and I can take you with us again some time." I tried to keep her hopes up but Meg was deep in the doldrums.
"What's the use? Every girl here will have her sights on him now."
"Meghan..." I started but she jerked when Monsieur Reyer called her name. She smiled brightly and hurried over to the group of men. Erik glanced up at me, left alone in the middle of the stage and gave me a small smile. Meg was nodding emphatically and then curtsied politely to race back to my side.
"What was..." I started but should have known it was not necessary to ask Meg for the details.
"They want me to dance while the orchestra plays," she seemed breathless though she did not have far to go from the men to my side.
"To which song?"
"They have not decided but I can dance to anything, and I can make it up as I go, since I only need to do it once, it doesn't matter if I can remember it or not. I just get to dance freely." She was smiling again and I was happy she'd shrugged off the depression so easily. "Ugh!" she suddenly exclaimed.
"What?"
"Joseph is staring at us," she rolled her eyes but I felt that unnerving chill run through me again.
"Monsieur Buquet?" I looked over my shoulder and sure enough he was standing in the shadows of the curtains with that predatory look to his face.
"Allez, cochon!" she yelled out and a few people turned to see and he scampered away.
"Meg..." I started to tell her not to provoke him and how uncomfortable he made me, but Reyer called out for our attention. He announced the different numbers from a few different operas that would be run. It was a good mix of songs, some to be sung by a chorus and some as solos for Piangi and the soprano, as well as full dance numbers and then the instrumental break where only Meg would dance and then the grande finale was the aria from Hannibal. They made no mention of which of us would sing it but Cameron called for La Carlotta to follow him to the office and I breathed a sigh of relief that they were taking care of her.
We went through the planned performance once and everyone seemed excited by the prospect of an unorthodox performance. The cast and crew were warming to our new management already and I was so proud of Erik and so much was going on that I forgot all about Joseph and his catlike eyes.
