Chapter 11: Shadow of the Past
Nicolas slipped the white mask on his face and looked at Victoire. He pulled a black cloak from the wall and wrapped it around her.
" Come you must be starved," he said, " Sit and enjoy, the warmth of this meal with me."
He poured her a glass of wine for her and then himself. She walked over to him and stopped him. He looked at her and stood up straight, she reached up and pressed her lips against his. He placed his hands on her face and deepened the kiss. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes as they kissed. Nicolas pulled away and touched her soft face. He pulled her to him and kissed her neck and each cheek.
" I live only for you," he whispered, " Stay beside me."
She turned and faced him, then undid the buttons of his fine woven velvet red dress coat. She tossed it over a chair and kissed him passionately as she removed his vest and then ascot. He kissed her and pushed her sleeves off, then lifted her into his arms.
" No, turning back," he whispered
" I don't want to," she whispered, " I have come to save you Nicolas."
Nicolas carried her into his room and shut the door and there, they showed their true feelings for each other, as piece by piece of clothing came off. Nicolas lifted her into his arms and laid her down and looked down at her. She reached up and removed his mask and set it aside.
" If I love a man, it is his whole face I wish to see," she whispered, " Not half."
Nicolas leaned over her and kissed her and then blew out the several candles. He took her into his arms and gently soothed her worries with pleasure. She soothed his fear of human contact and welcomed him into her life.
Alexander walked out and saw a carriage waiting for him. He sighed and looked at the Opera Populaire and began to get in.
" Monsieur," a deep voice said
Alexander turned and looked at a dark slender figure standing there.
" Yes?" he answered
" I have seen what had happen tonight. That demon has taken the only love you have. I would like to help you hunt him down."
" Hunt him down? How do you kill a ghost?" Alexander asked
" You bring his past back to life," the man said, " You steal one thing he holds onto, then let him plea for it. Then take his own life."
The man presented him a piece of paper, with his address, then walked off without a sound. Alexander looked at the paper and then got into his carriage. The man watched the young captain go off, he smiled and pulled a blade out.
" Nicolas, I have found you…now I have to finish what I started 12 months ago," the man whispered
He put his top hat on and then walked off to vanish into the fog of the night.
Nicolas opened his eyes suddenly opened his eyes hearing laughter in his mind. His eyes darted around and looked over to his left to see his beautiful sleeping companion, dressed in the white sheets. He leaned over and kissed her bare shoulders and down her bare back. She moaned a little and then turned towards him, he kissed her head as she faced him. Nicolas got up and dressed a little and then went out, he walked in hearing footsteps.
" Nicolas," a soft voice called
" Enter Meg," he called
She came down and looked at the table still filled with the meal from last night.
" You did not eat?" she asked
" My companion and I did not eat, we only slept with passion," Nicolas replied
Meg looked at Nicolas and cleaned up the plates and then set to others down. She cut fresh fruit for him and Nicolas sat down and Meg looked at him.
" Are you well Nicolas?" she asked
" I'm fine," he whispered, " It was a late night."
" I see," she said
Meg poured him some hot tea and looked at Nicolas, his eyes should weariness and his skin was pale.
" Drink up Nicolas, then rest more, the fruit will be alright," Meg said
" I know," he said
Meg nodded and then went on her way. Nicolas drank the hot tea then walked into his dark bedroom, where Victoire remain asleep. He removed his shirt and slipped back into bed beside her. He gently traced her body, and she moaned a little, she opened her eyes and looked over at Nicolas.
" Nicolas," she whispered
She touched his face and he closed his eyes as she did so. She sat up and kissed him on his lips.
" There is breakfast on the table, come my darling," he whispered
He leaned over to her and kissed her just above her breast, then got up. She looked at him as he let more candles.
Alexander walked to the opera house and then saw the strange man that approached him.
" Good day sir," Alexander said
" Have you thought about it sir?" the man asked
" Yes, and I do wish to get her back, how do I go about doing that sir?" Alexander questioned
The strange man walked over to him and began to tell him, that this Phantom was a man named Nicolas Cassé.
" I will get the Phantom and you steal your woman, tonight is the annual ball for all opera houses, the Opera Populaire is hosting. You sir will need a blade and I will need a disguise," the man said
" Do you have a name sir?" Alexander asked
" David, David Ladet," he replied, " I am the man who created the Phantom that lives in opera house."
" I see, well then we will get rid of him," Alexander said
That evening Meg and the two mangers prepared for the annual party. She looked around the main part of the opera and nodded.
" 200 guest is that all?" she asked
" I'm afraid so, but perhaps that is a good thing," Henri said
Meg sighed and Henri looked at her as she climbed up the stairs. She glided her hand across the stairwell and closed her eyes.
" It was four years ago, that Erik walked these steps," Meg thought, " He wore the skull mask, that Nicolas wore last night, the same attire as well. The long cloak that draped over his shoulders. His skull blade that he threaten Carlotta with."
A smile broke her lips and Henri looked at her. Jacque looked at Henri.
" What is she doing?" he asked
" Remembering," Henri replied
" Remembering what?" he asked
Meg opened her eyes and turned to the stairs Erik came down. She sighed and turned around and looked at the two men.
" It will be fine," she said
That night Victoire dressed in a gold dress, that flowed behind her. She did her makeup and the girls looked at her. She was humming, and smiling as she did her makeup.
" You were gone again all night," Amelia said, " So speak young star."
" There's nothing to explain," Victoire said
" Is he terribly handsome, and or ugly, what secrets did you learn?" Amelia asked
Victoire looked at her friend and shook her head and said, " He has no secrets, he's the Phantom…the dead don't speak of secrets."
" Well, someone believes other wise," Amelia said
" What is that suppose to mean?" Victoire asked
"Come on Victoire, being captured by the phantom, you must tell me," Amelia asked
Victoire shook her head and went on to finish.
" I can't talk about our relationship," Victoire said, " I am his angel."
" His angel, and his bed partner," Amelia said
" I can't believe you just said that," Victoire said
Amelia smiled and walked with her friend out of the dressing rooms. The other girls looked at Amelia and Victoire as they walked off.
" What a whore," one said
" Bed partner is right, I always knew there was a reason why he liked her Brigitte said
The ball began and Victoire looked around for a shadow that waited for her. She walked down the hall way and suddenly she was grabbed. She looked at Nicolas and smiled, then kissed him.
" Your beautiful tonight," he whispered
" Thank you," she said
Nicolas pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
" Nicolas," she whispered
" I can not come out, how do I show my love for you sweet angel?" Nicolas asked
Victoire smiled and touched his face then kissed him.
" You can come out, you wear a mask, and just because you wish to be different doesn't mean they will ignore you," she said, " Please, for me, my love."
He looked at her and stroked her face, then presented his arm to her. As he was about to step out; he saw a man of dark features and his cloak had the seal of his family. He stepped back and Victoire looked at him.
" What's wrong my Phantom?" she asked
" Ladet," he whispered
" Who?" she asked
" My friend who betrayed me, he is the reason I am the way I am," Nicolas hissed
She looked and he turned and looked at her. She stepped back and Nicolas touched the hilt of his blade.
" No, Nicolas," she whispered
Nicolas narrowed his eyes and kissed her. He then fled into the darkness, there was some other reason why David had set foot into the opera house. He knew that Meg had saved him, now it was time to settle this score.
" Nicolas," she said
David looked over and smiled and made his way towards Victoire. Her back was turned so she would be easy to capture and bait Nicolas. He came to her and wrapped his arms around her in an aggressive manner.
" Let me go!" she shouted
" A chorus girl whore, is lonely, come with me I will show you what you want," he said
" Nicolas!" she shouted
Nicolas stopped and saw David dragging Victoire. He drew his blade as he ran after her. David tossed something and smoke filled the air to slow him down, he dragged Victoire out into the middle of the party.
" Nicolas Cassé , come and show your face!" he shouted
Nicolas pushed through and stood in the distance of David. People moved and looked at him gasping.
" Ladies and Gentlemen your Phantom of the Opera!" David shouted
" Let me go," Victoire said
Nicolas' drawn bladed was lifted and pointed it at David. David smiled and threw Victoire down. Meg ran to her and helped her up and looked at Nicolas.
" We have to stop him, he's going to try to kill him," Victoire cried
" We can't do anything now, it's up to him," Meg said
Nicolas looked at his traitorous friend and nodded.
" I'm going to be glad to kill you Phantom," David said, " In fact I'm am going to kill you slowly."