Rene had seen some beautiful things in her life. Her father had left her and her mother with quite a bit of money and his wishes that Rene travel, become educated and learn to love music as he had. Rene had done all of these.
Rene had seen the pyramids in Egypt. She traveled all over England and Scotland and seen the beautiful greenness of it all. She had seen several wonders of the world, but none of them took her breath away as did the voice of her angel. None of them compared to his music, or the beauty of his grand organ which lay deep beneath the opera house. The darkness hit her firmly, but she did not notice, for the beauty of sweet melodious music hung in the air, even though, at the time their was no music.
Erik helped Rene out of the boat, and led her strongly, yet lightly, toward the organ and the candles that surrounded it. Rene stared spellbound at Erik, letting him take her where he would. Suddenly, without warning, Erik broke into another beautiful and perfectly harmonious song. Yet, there was something strangely familiar about this particular song.
"Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation... Darkness stirs and wakes imagination…Silently the senses abandon their defenses…" Erik laced his and Rene's fingers together.
"Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor… Grasp it sense it-tremulous and tender…" He put his hand other hand to her face and gently turned her head to face the shadows.
"Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light and listen to the music of the night…" He let go of her completely and began to walk toward the organ only to turn back to sing,
"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams! Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before! Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!" With the high note Rene closed her eyes and let the music surround her.
"And you'll live as you've never lived before…" Rene opened her eyes to watch Erik walk around the room, keeping his eyes on her. "Softly, deftly, music shall surround you… Feel it, hear it, closing in around you... Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot fight the darkness of the music of the night."
Rene approached Erik and placed his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest and listened to the sound pulsate within him, and then escape from his mouth into her ears. "Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world! Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before! Let your soul take you where you long to be! Only then can you belong to me…"
Rene felt Erik relax and let his arms drift down her to rest in the curve of the small of her back. "Floating, falling, sweet intoxication! Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation! Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in, to the power of the music that I write. The power of the music of the night…"
Erik and Rene stood embracing each other for what Rene wished could be an eternity, but ended all too soon. Erik pulled back first. He turned his back to her. He walked a few steps. She watched with questioning eyes. She observed him as he struggled within himself.
Rene was confused. She took a few steps forward and lightly placed her hand on his large shoulder. He paused at her touch, but slowly he put his hand up to hers and grasped it delicately in his. She breathed a sigh of relief. He turned back to her. "I'm sorry." he said. "I should not have brought you here."
Rene shook her head the angel watched in disbelief as she spoke, "I wouldn't have come if I hadn't wanted to."
It was Erik's turn to shake his head. "No. I shouldn't have…"
"What are you afraid of?" Rene asked, a bit annoyed.
"Do not question the Angel of Music!" Roared Erik his temper getting the better of him.
Rene pulled away from him and hung her head, once again in shame for angering her angel. "I'm sorry." she murmured.
Erik's eyes flashed with pity for Rene. He took a step toward her and tenderly placed a hand under her chin. He lifted her face to look him in the eye. She had tears in her eyes. Erik wiped them with his gloved finger. "Come," he sang, "We must return, your young suitor will be waiting and be missing you." With that he led her back to the boat up the passageway and through the mirror.
