Author's Note: I have rated this story R in anticipation of upcoming chapters, in case anyone is wondering. I hope you are enjoying my little story so far!
In one fluid motion, Erik clamped his gloved hand over the mouth of the restful woman. Her eyes opened, wide and unfocused, straining to see her attacker in the low light. He could feel her trying to struggle to scream. Seeing her at such a small distance for the first time, he took note of her large stormy grey-blue eyes and fair rosy skin. She was prettier than he had initially thought. He had assumed the reason why she avoided men was because she was unpleasant to look at. She was no raving beauty, but her skin was smooth and even in tone, and her features were even and regular.
Remembering his purpose, he spoke to her, his voice low and menacing so she would have no doubt of his sincerity, "Stop struggling! I have no wish to harm you, but if you do not cease, I will wring your neck from your shoulders!" She immediately froze, and he continued, "I will release my hand from your mouth, but only if you promise me not to scream." She gave him a barely perceptible nod, and as he drew his hand away he could see her lips were trembling. For a moment, he thought she was going to scream, but he was pleased that she quickly stopped shaking and drew her mouth into a grim line. Still, she did not speak, and he was almost disconcerted by her outward calm.
"You know who I am, don't you?" When she made no reply, he hissed into her ear, "Answer me!"
"Y-y-yes. You are the Phantom. Madame Giry spoke to me of you," her voice barely above a whisper.
"That I am. I have been watching you my dear, and I believe you will suit my purposes quite nicely," he languidly purred, reveling at the fact she could be so intimidated by his physical presence. It had been far too long since he had this effect on anyone. During his travels he had kept to himself, knowing extended contact with the world would only being questions he did not want to answer.
"What do you want of me, sir?" she barely choked out. His eyes were boring into her, and she could feel his lips against her ear. God, those eyes! They burned like a turquoise fire. She dare not turn to face him. Partly out of fear at what he looked like, but also because she knew those eyes would hypnotize her, and steal her thoughts.
At her response, he withdrew slightly, giving her a bit more breathing room. "I am pleased you seem so willing to obey me. You do not even ask why I chose you or for what. It is a good trait in a woman."
Relieved he was no longer so close, she sat upright in the bed, turned and bowed her head. "I am yours to command, sir. I can only assume that you have been watching me and learned of my secret shame. I will do as you ask, as long as it does not jeopardize my place in the opera company. Without this place, I am nothing, and would be lost in the world."
"It is all to the good you understand your limitations. What I want from you is to learn all you know of this opera house. In the evenings, following your rehearsals, I shall come to you in this room and you shall be my guide. In exchange, I will not reveal your extra-curricular activities to the manager or any of the members of the company." To drive his point home, he strode forward and tipped her chin up so she was forced to look at him, "And if you dare betray me, my dear Gianna, you shall find your existence will become one of utmost misery. You know of what I am capable. If you have any doubts, ask Mme. Giry."
Gia's eyes began to fill with tears, but she fought them back, unwilling to completely dissolve before this man. If he would stop touching her, she would be fine. The contact of his soft leather glove on her face was driving her mad. He must stop touching her! She jerked herself away from him, nearly propelling herself out of her bed. "Please sir, I will do all you say. Just please, do not touch me."
At this, he raised his visible eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth twitched into a half-smile. Reaching across the bed, he wrapped his left hand in her wild mane and pulled her toward him, only stopping when their mouths were separated by the barest of margins, "You will find, my dear, I will do and take what I want."
With that, he released her, and she watched as he opened her wardrobe and disappeared through it into the darkness leaving her alone and unable to sleep.
Gia silently offered up a prayer of thanks to God that the Phantom had left her. She could still feel his leather encased hand in her hair and on her face. She cursed her body's treacherous reactions to his touch. Those feelings were supposed to have been buried years ago, and yet she had found herself yearning for more, even as she had implored him to stop. His touch should have revolted her, but for a moment she had wanted him to crush his lips against hers, knowing it could have meant her undoing.
She had been prepared for the Phantom to have a hideous and frightening visage, instead his face was that of a fallen angel. Logically, Gianna knew he would not wear the mask if his right side matched his left. But her mind struggled to believe it could be as terrible as she had heard. As it was, the stories of him having skin like yellowed parchment appeared to be untrue, she thought wryly. It had been nearly as pale as her own, gleaming softly in the glow of the lamp. His lips had been full and lush, and his jaw-line intensely masculine. His dark hair had been carefully slicked back, not a hair out of place, very unlike her own which she struggled to control with pins each day.
The white mask on his face was fascinating. What was it made of, she wondered. Was it cold on his face? What did it conceal from the world? His voice had been just as captivating, but lower than she had expected, considering he had once exchanged places with a tenor. He certainly knew how to use it effectively. It had been simultaneously threatening and unexpectedly arousing. It had been ten years since she had felt anything like that toward a member of the opposite sex.
Lying back down, she exhaled slowly, collecting her thoughts. Relief washed over her like a warm bath knowing that all he really wanted from her was to know about the opera house. She would do her best to please him, and leave nothing out. She would just have to be careful to maintain a good distance between them during their lessons. Gianna Burnside knew all too well where heedless passion could lead, and not simply because of the circumstances of her birth. This Phantom might be accustomed to having all that he desired, but he would discover how stubborn the daughter of an opera diva could be when put into a difficult situation. Certain he was gone, she extinguished the lamp and closing her eyes, she drifted back into a dreamless sleep.