At the sound of Brett's cry, my heart raced. Forgetting my wild imaginings about the Beast, I followed after him into the lobby.

"For God's sake, Brett, whatever is the matter?" I asked.

"That…" he pointed to a woman across the room. "…is the matter!"

The lady he was pointing to was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. With dark hair stylishly fashioned around her head in ringlets, she was dressed exquisitely in a deep burgundy colored gown which brought out the best of her ivory complexion. Her eyes were green and feline, similar to my own in fact. The only mar to her beauty was the expression of disdain on her face as she walked about the lobby. Although the hall was crowded with people eagerly awaiting the performance, she was quite alone.

"What a beautiful woman!" I remarked. "Who is she?"

"Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler," Brett said with contempt. "That's who she is! Ella's mother. And my father's ex-wife. I can't believe Ella was foolish enough to have her mother come here, especially when she knew damned well that Rhett would be here too!"

"Oh, good lord, do you think that we can keep her from meeting up with your father?"

There was a resounding crash behind us. We turned to see Captain Rhett Butler slightly behind us, his face grim. He had apparently dropped his cane upon the floor at the sight of his former wife. Brett rushed to his father's side in order to help him.

In an effort to ease the tension in the room between the couple – the tension which was quickly becoming the center of attention throughout the lobby – I acted the gracious hostess and attended Scarlett Butler's side. I could not help but feel sorry for her. She obviously had come to see her daughter sing. But no one would come near her as if she were some sort of social disgrace.

"Good evening, Mrs. Butler," I said, putting on my best smile.

Disconcertedly, she nodded towards me, although her attention was squarely on the man across the room.

"May I introduce myself? I am Angelica DuBois, the director of the Atlanta Opera House. Ella has improved so much, Mrs. Butler. You shall be so proud."

With a smile which did not fully reach her lips, she remarked that she was sure she would be proud of her daughter.

Although she had said the correct and polite words, she simply could not look away from her ex-husband. Any more than he could look away from her.

I no longer made any more effort as it was no use. Rhett and Scarlett Butler had seen each other for the first time since their divorce. And Brett was correct. No one would be safe tonight.


So far, everything had gone exceedingly well with the evening.

The selections of Carmen and Don Giovanni had been performed to perfection by some popular local operatic singers.

Next were the Beauty and the Beast excerpts.

I took a deep sigh in dismay. If only these people could hear it as it was meant to sound…

But I had to admit that things were going better than I had expected.

Ella's solo as Beauty was quite remarkable. In fact, it was better than ever. She could have even rivaled Christine in her command of the role.

Looking about me, I was quite satisfied with the audience reaction.

Of course, Brett Watling was smitten and practically drooling over her. Ashley Wilkes had his eyes closed, taking in her musical voice with a smile of pleasure on his face. Even India Wilkes looked pleasantly amused for a change. I had hoped that Captain Rhett Butler would show some signs of approval, but he seemed to do nothing but sit tensely and stare into space. Just as Scarlett Butler was doing on the other side of the theater.

Once Beauty's aria had ended, the entire house had erupted in applause which then turned into a standing ovation.

Well, Ella Kennedy could be pleased that she was in her mother's shadow no more.

Now would be the horrid and disappointing part.

The Song of the Beast.

I was certain that all of the pleasant smiles about me would turn into grimaces at the sound of Beau Wilkes screeching out the song.

With misery, I closed my eyes.

And then I reverted to the only way in which I could tolerate hearing Song of the Beast, by imagining Erik's voice singing the part. And this time, the song was so rich, so beautiful, so perfect…just the way that he would sing it.

And this time, the notes were so precise and crystal clear that it was almost as if he were actually there...

Then the reality hit me.

This was no dream! No imaginary voice in my head!

With shock, my eyes flew open.

The Beast was staring straight at me as he sang with the voice of Erik!

Dizziness overwhelmed me as everything went black.


I came to as Brett helped me out of my seat and walked with me towards the back office. Only faintly did I hear him reassure audience members that I was quite alright, just overexcited and exhausted.

And all of the while, Erik's voice was singing out to me...loud and clear...

The Beast had returned for me...

"Angelica, are you well?" he asked with extreme concern in his eyes. "You passed out in a dead faint right in the middle of Beau Wilkes' solo! Fortunately, it did not phase him any as he kept right on singing."

As I allowed him to lead me to the small chair by my desk, I could not help but confide my fears to him.

"Brett...that was not Beau Wilkes out there. That was Erik..." I stammered. "That was Erik's voice."

He shook his head with disbelief.

"You must have been dreaming, Angelica. There is no way that…"

"I know Erik's voice! I would recognize it anywhere. I tell you that was not Beau Wilkes!"

"Of course it was!"

"Have you ever heard Beau in rehearsal?"

Brett shrugged sheepishly. "Well, Angelica, you know I've been too busy to attend the rehearsals."

"Then you don't know what you're talking about! I do! That was Erik! I know it!"

"You are hysterical and hallucinating. Now just calm down. I shall fetch you a doctor."

As Brett left, I leaned my elbows onto my desk and covered my eyes in dismay.

Of course, he was right! Of course, he was. That could not have been Erik.

I just haven't had enough sleep. I've been running myself ragged over this opera house…working hard…working so hard that I would fall into my lonely bed in a dead sleep with no dreams…no dreams…

I waited and waited for Brett to come back. Where was he with that doctor?

A soft muffled sound startled me.

As I opened my eyes and lifted up my head from my hands, a black gloved hand shot over my mouth.

"Have you missed me, dear wife?"

Erik had indeed found me. The cold rage in his voice caused my spine to shiver with fear...and excitement…