If the weather was a good way to predict the events of a morning in Paris, then today should have turned out in a very different way.
From the moment Diana had woken, there had been a feeling of peace in the air. She moved gently, not wanting to wake the man beside her. It had been a late night for Erik, he had claimed it was nothing but business, but had returned in a sad state. Almost looking like he had encountered a mob in the middle of a hurricane! Things, it seemed, had not gone well since the meeting at the Persian's house the week prior. While he had removed his soaking clothes, he commented on the horrible storm outside. It was safe to assume that it was not raining inside the opera house, one must hope, and the pipe was still in working order. So that meant that either his business had been outside the building or, he had fallen into the lake. She smiled lightly, trying to picture her husband swimming around in his full opera clothes. (You know, it figures, he's the only man I can imagine pulling that off…)
No, his business must have been outside. She sighed in annoyance. It was hard enough to get out of bed without waking him, but now with his arm draped over her? There was simply no way to do it! His chuckling alerted her that she was not the only one up. "Erik! Let me up! I need to eat breakfast, not to mention get dressed and go up for rehearsals!" He rolled over and smiled, half tender, half playful, and some percent above the rest possessive. Lazily he wrapped his other arm around her. "Perhaps I want you to stay in bed with me today?" she laughed and pushed against his chest. "Somehow I don't think that will work out with my schedule Erik, sorry." He refused to release her for a moment, his eyes glowing amber about an inch away from hers. "…but I still don't want to let you up."
"Erik! I'll loose my job, or Giry will kill me, and both are rather daunting! The schedule calls! The show must go on!" He released her with an amused snort, a spark of challenge in his eyes. "What schedule? Am I not thy lord?" she grinned and sat up so she could look down at him. "Well if that is true, than am I not thy lady?"
He moaned in mock annoyance before pulling her back to his level and claiming her mouth as his own. When he finally released her his eyes were darker, more possessive. Time to go now, or be delayed for no less than an hour… "You're going to make me late Erik! And Giry will skin me alive if I'm late, that could be bad! You don't want that, do you?" He smiled, "Oh now, she will, will she? Well, perhaps I need to speak to our dear ballet mistress." Diana laughed and stood as he finally released his grip, moving resolutely to the closet. "Chances are rehearsals may be short, I might be able to make it back for lunch." Erik nodded, then winced. "…On the subject of lunch… is there anything in particular that you want? Your appetites of recent have been…" he stopped to struggle for polite wording, "…Interesting?"
Diana's expression, the perfect blend of amusement, pity, and exasperation, she sighed and contemplated whether to wear a corset or not. "My appetite appalls you? I see nothing wrong with eating chocolate with cabbage, and don't tell me that chicken broth and sauerkraut isn't a good meal!" Despite his efforts a rich chuckle was escaping his lips, earning him an indignant look from his spouse. "Well, the soup and sauerkraut was disturbingly good, but you have come up with some truly eccentric dishes of recent, what was that one… you know, the one in which you put… the trout was salted with caramel…" Diana shook her head and sighed, "I recall you liked that one as well…have you been lying to me to humor me Erik?" his body language said everything. Diana smiled, he would never say it, he didn't want to upset her. Lord knows, he was probably frightened of the notorious mood swings.
"I'll be back as soon as I can, but Erik?" He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" She sighed, "When I get back, I want to know what's been bothering you, agreed?" his eyes turned sharp, almost angry. "…if that is what you wish." He smiled, to reassure her, but it was too late. She knew him to well. "Erik, whatever it is, it will be fine. Tell me when I get back." And with some hesitance, she left.
Erik
(She is gone. What did she see? Damn it all!) I rise from the blankets that no longer hold her warmth. (It's not that I haven't wanted to tell her… but stress, I read somewhere that stress is to be avoided. Still… with all that's been happening…) "I'll tell her, when she gets back."
The Persian
(He was right, I should have believed him, but this was certainly not the first time gypsies had come through town!) I move silently, watching this group with interest. (Still, his assumptions seem far fetched, but he claimed to have been tracking them for days now…he would know if he had seen…) it seemed silly, spying on gypsies. And normally I wouldn't, but Erik's fear had become my own. Since last week's end things had begun to turn twisted at the Opera Popular. Diana's brother had given her quite a scare, running into her like that…
Someone had assaulted him, scared him so deeply that the man had been unable to remain, he was lodging outside the opera now, and it seemed uncertain when he would return. The manager had been most concerned, he had sent a doctor when he heard of Peter's injuries, and had written him. Apparently, Peter had not responded. He did, however, keep up with his sister, and had written her frequently that he was well and getting better, that he would return soon. But he had written the Ghost also, and though Erik would not say what had been printed, his guard had doubled after that note.
A horse nickered, someone calmed it, (He was right after all, five of them.) five, five Persians like myself, five like myself from the court of Persia, five who, like myself, had served the Sultan. Five, Persian, trackers. (How did the Count get in contact with five of them? How did he trace Erik back so far?) Money is a powerful tool, and when waved properly can produce quite impressive results. Still, the way this man operated… he's efficient. Far too efficient. Hidden I listened to them speak amongst themselves. My eyes narrowed, (…And they are going to the Opera, this… this will not go over we-) The blow was sound, as my eyes rolled back it hit me. Why didn't I realize I could only see four?
Diana
The rehearsal was not going well; it was near a yearly break now. There was not a soul in the theater who wasn't dreaming about being somewhere else, with someone else. Of course, this was well known to the ballet mistress… this knowledge was probably the only thing keeping her from murdering us all. "Somehow I think this is a wasted effort… no one is even paying attention!" Madam Giry nodded and sighed, "I can't truly blame them… tis the season to be slacking… but what can I do? The manager wants this production ready before the break!" I shook my head, by then we may just know what we're doing… but ready to perform it? Not a chance. "As much as I dislike the idea… perhaps I should go speak with the manager?" Giry shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"No, it would only put you in an awkward position. We will do the best we can, if that is not good enough for him… then it is his own fault." Relieved, I nod and head back to my position on the stage. To be honest with myself I have no desire to be near that man… he's changed. He's changed since he first arrived, changed since he challenged Erik, changed since that uncomfortable episode in my dressing room. As if slowly, bit by bit he's been taking off a mask… and we haven't yet seen what's underneath… That, and he knows the side I have taken… I have no doubt that he will try to use me, to hurt Erik if he can. But how can a man, so consumed with hatred and rage, seem so gentle at times? And why, why does he still defer to me with respect? The man almost behaves as if he is courting me! Ever since last week… he has seen the wedding band! Is he blind? Even Peter sees something now…
I sigh under my breath, darn these deep thoughts! They're causing me to miss my cues! Call it woman's intuition, but I know this will not be a good rehearsal…
"Diana Grey, will you come with me to my office please?"
I whirl around startled; it is only by the grace of God that I catch myself. Mentally I congratulate my foresight in not wearing a corset today, had I had one on I would not have regained my balance. "Coming…I'm coming." I have no choice, have to pretend I don't mind this uncomfortable feeling he's giving me, he certainly doesn't notice. He offers me his arm to lean on as I come down from the stage, his grip is gentle, but secure. What is he up to? I feel my agitation growing as we climb the stairs to his office, once again he assists me… (I don't like this, something's wrong, something's very wrong…) The only pause in our smooth movements was when he unlocked the door and held it open for me.
There were fresh flowers in the vase on his desk, and the room was lit by a blazing fire on the hearth, crackling embers popping on the stone. The candles and the light from the window lit the aria. I drew near the warmth, wanting to let it sink into my bones, into my very core. It was cold in almost all of the opera house… and it was such a contrast in here. Outside it darkened, clouds starting to blot out the sun. it might rain today, maybe. I froze as his hand came to rest on my cheek.
"I cannot be sure if you know the reason I have asked you to come here." I stilled my form, don't provoke, don't take chances, something's wrong. His hand moved to my hair, running through the strands. "What is it you want Sir? I have nothing to say, but you're making me uncomfortable, and if you think for a moment tha-" his grip around my waist was as alien and unpleasant as I had imagined. His other hand closed firmly, but also gently over my mouth. A warning, I didn't know how I knew. His eyes were gentle as his hands, but my hair was rising. "Relax, I'm not trying to threaten you, will you calm down?" My fists clenched lightly, relaying a universal warning. His expression changed to surprise, than amusement. With careful, slow movements, he released me, and a sense of satisfaction and fear flooded my senses.
"I can see I overstepped my bounds a moment ago, forgive me." His expression still showed amusement, but there was also an aura of disproval about him. "If you have nothing to say to me monsieur, then I will take my leave. We are not yet finished with our rehearsal, if you need me." I walked quickly toward the door, I heard a sound from behind me, "Diana, you haven't even given me a chance to speak." Breath on my neck, slowly I turn to face him, and watch stunned as several figures stepped from the shadows. My blood freezes at the sight of them. "I have employed these trackers from Persia to help us unearth our little friend, but I can also pay them to just go on their way." He approached and I drew back, all my energy focused on studying the men behind him. "I have an offer for you, but first… you need to know this Diana. You, are a loving, compassionate, gentle and innocent woman. So I understand why you did it, really Diana, I do, and I forgive you."
He takes my hand, smiling such a benevolent smile that I start to feel ill, "You are so good, you would reach out to a monster to try to find the man, wouldn't you? Yes, don't be modest! I know you Diana." His other hand slides around my waist, pulling me closer. "So for your sake, if you wish, I will send them away, and let the monster you tried to save rest. That is quite a sacrifice for me, this you know." Monster, he said monster… "You see, that is how much I love-"
The sound of my palm against his cheek stunned him, as he drew back I struck again, "How dare you! You pig of a man, you, you see my ring! Are you blind Jonathan? Cant you see!" I could not hold back a cry as he seized my wrist, his eyes on fire. "Be still you! I have not finished speaking!" I clawed at his chest with my free hand kicking him at the same time with all my might, my terror rising, "Who are you to tell me to be still! Let me go monsieur! Let me-!"
The taste of blood in my mouth shocked me back to my senses. He loomed over me, shaking with barely controlled rage. Slowly, I brought my fingers to my lip, wincing at sting of my nails on the split. "Are you ready to listen? I will only give you this offer once." Knelling down beside me he took my face in his hands, his touch once more gentle. "Diana, you are in a great deal of danger," His finger brushed my lip, his expression becoming one of self-loathing. In his eyes was a silent apology, had I the strength I would have spit in his face. "If word of your, (encounter), with the ghost was to become public… you could be targeted for some very unseemly situations."
A burning hate started to grow in my gut, (Now you blackmail me Jonathan? Will you threaten me next?) But my expression remained blank. "I am willing to save you this public humiliation and scandal. I will protect you from him too! Save you from the fate that everyone who deals with him suffers! All you have to give me in return, is you." My eyes widened, "…What? What on earth…" his grip on my chin turned viselike, "Consent, your consent to let me share the rest of your life, to fill it with all the joys I can offer. A countess Diana, think about It, think. Consent to become my wife, I can make all this seem like a bad dream. And you are not breaking any promises! That's the beauty of it, because Diana," his cheek brushed mine, "…You aren't even married, he had no last name to put down. The entire ceremony was fine, but the contract was void. Peter told me." Peter, he's the one who hurt Peter, he hurt Peter, he tried to kill Peter! "All I ask," I feel the color draining from my face, "…is that you say yes."
"…Not even if God himself, commanded me."
His eyes became empty, and I realized too late that I had been in the eye of the storm… now it had passed. "You fail to understand what I am gambling with my dear." Jonathan turned to the leader of the small group and nodded; with a smile two of the trackers exited the room. "What are you doing Jonathan… where are they going!" A moment later they returned, carrying a box in their hands. To my horror I recognize my jewelry case, the case that I keep in Erik's home. They couldn't have found it! If they can reach the house, no! "I have only to say the word Diana and they will go back to retrieve a greater prize. The decision, is yours, will you condemn your monster to death?" What can I do… Erik please, please… please find some way to forgive me…
I can't risk your life…