Chapter Eight - Into The Darkness Again
Meg tried not to laugh aloud as La Carlotta tore through the foyer, Ubaldo Piangi and her usual smug entourage close at her heels.
Messieurs Firman and Andre hurried to keep pace with her, groveling, cajoling, begging…
Following along with her mother and the Vicomte de Chagny (who seemed very disturbed by the contents of several black-bordered notes signed "O.G."), Meg couldn't quite understand why the two managers were so eager to win back the arrogant soprano.
Certainly, there were a great many people in the Opera who disliked her overbearing manner, her little cruelties to those beneath her…
And her removal from the Opera would clear the way for Christine Daae to truly shine. She had left the audience breathless during the Gala, her voice had enchanted even the occupants of the Imperial Box.
"She has heard the voice of an angel," she heard her mother say, referring to Christine.
Meg stopped so suddenly that Monsieur Reyer nearly collided with her.
She had seen the note the Vicomte had received…
"Do not fear Miss Daae. The Angel of Music has her under his wing."
Her eyes widened with the sudden thought…the Phantom of the Opera and the Angel of Christine's dreamy tales were one in the same!
How had she not realized it sooner? Why hadn't she realized it when she heard him…but had it even been possible to think clearly, seeing him…hearing him…feeling his voice body and soul like that?
As Carlotta stormed across the stage, dancers and scene-shifters scattering before her, Meg broke from the group.
She had to know more…she had to know…
She turned and hurried up to the dressing room. She closed the door and slid a chair against it. No point in risking another unwelcome visit from Joseph Buquet.
She quickly pulled off her dance frock and slippers. Reaching into one of the battered old wardrobes, she found a plain brown dress and a pair of worn brown ankle boots.
She winced as she eased her sore feet into the boots.
In the hall, she was surprised to meet Joseph. He grinned when she saw her, hurriedly adjusting the fastenings of his pants.
She ignored him and went downstairs to the long hall of dressing rooms.
The key was in the lock of Carlotta's apartment…the room Christine had used the previous night.
Opening the door, she slipped inside. The flowers from the Gala evening had been removed, but Christine's shimmering gown lay draped over the divan. Her starry crystal hair ornaments lay on the dressing table, beside them was a black ribbon tangled around a withering rose.
Meg found the mirror's edge and slid it open. She looked back once and stepped into the darkness again.
She wasn't sure what she would find or even what she was seeking. She was afraid that he might find her…yet some part of her hoped that he would.
This time, the portcullis was open.
