A/n: Hey everyone, yes its still going. Hopefully I have intrigued you a little more to continue reading, but only time will tell...
Thank you so much to the people who reviewed, and I do understand that it takes effort to review a piece but I figure if you read it to where it stops, a few seconds reviewing wouldn't hurt
Speaking of which...
Waytoointoerik: As I said before you are one of my faves and I thank you heaps for reviewing :) Makes me happy! I haven't come across many male fanfics so I have nothing to compare mine with, but I hopeit up to standard! Thanks again for reading!
SporkGoddess: Thank you for your comments, I willhave to read your Opera 101 piece to learn more. Sorry about the ignorance, its just howI imagined it to be. Also with the Spanish, I have no beta so to speak so its just a blind stab in the dark.I appreciate you took the time to point those hiccups out, thank you.
LadyKarou: I suppose you're right about the review thing, I do enjoy writing it, I just don't know whether you guys enjoy reading it! Thank you for your support, and don't stay up too late reading!
Fizzing Whizbees:Just a little question, what is a Mary Sue? I'm a bit confused coz it gets used alot but I don't know what it means. AlsoI am EXCEEDINGLY sorry about the anonymus review blocker, its just coz I'm new and didn't realiseI had it activated. Sorry! Thank you for R&R'ing
Sunshine23: Thanks for your support over the last coulpe of chapters, I appreciate it greatly. Alyssa's past is coming, but a few chapters later. I personally didn't like the ALW Christine and think that Erik deserves someone a lot stronger, with a little more personality! I hope I'm doing him justice!
darklady5289: Erik had better understand that its not just another sweet innocent Christine he has on his hands!Thanks for you recent support and I hope to see your name reappearing! Yes a POTO hate zone, I don't know how they hate it but they do..infact its more of a loathing really...
A/n: Now! Let continue shall we? Ooh one last thing...Its starting to heat up…Alyssa has been visiting Erik for lessons everyday for a few weeks and has gotten to know him, and wants him. This chapter's events are not just random, the feelings are mutual but we all know Erik isn't out for love now, don't we?...
Previously:
Back at the chapel, Erik listened to her footsteps fade and swallowed hard, exhaling deeply. He turned to the shadows and began making his way to the secret entrance to his home, turning her over in his mind.
She was a fiery little viper, proud and full of herself. She wasn't afraid to tempt the devil.
And he liked it.
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7: Revelation-
As the weeks passed, Alyssa devotedly visited the same place at the same time for the same reason every day, though lately it seemed the initial reason wasn't all she went there for.
She knew her voice was getting stronger and more flexible, and she knew her dancing was improving out of sight.
But what she didn't know, was why every time she heard her mysterious maestro's voice, it would send an involuntary shiver up her spine and cause a blush to break out on her cheeks.
She didn't know why she dreamt of a deliriously handsome man dressed in black with the voice of an angel, her angel, leading her to his palace beyond the heavens to ravish her till the night's end.
She didn't know why she went to the chapel late in the night to try and feel a hint of his powerful presence.
Had he stolen her mind already, leaving only impure, lustful thoughts in his wake? Did she want to give herself to him?
Alyssa woke with a start, her hairline dampened slightly with beads of sweat. "No!" She whispered hoarsely, and buried her face in her hands.
"Or yes?" She raised her head again and dropped her hands to fiddle with the embroidery on the bed sheet. She had gone over such questions countless times over, and feared they may consume her if she did not react soon.
She let her eyes wander over to the large ornate full length mirror at the far end of the room where lately he would hide and sing to her, if she was stressed or having trouble sleeping and she wished he was there now, comforting her.
If I do decide to tell him my feelings, will he laugh at me? A child of merely seventeen, and he, perhaps thirty, maybe older? What if he doesn't want me intimately? I know nothing of the theme of intimacy, though I flaunt my so called 'knowledge' everywhere I go. Will he mock my ignorance of the subject? If I don't do something, I shall surely die of frustration if I remain subject to his wondrous music…
She shut her eyes and visualized his music playing softly in her mind, entrancing her all over again.
She sunk back down in her bed and began to hum along with the tune, not realizing that her hands were slowly slipping beneath the bed sheets and under her nightdress. She stroked from her knee to her inner thigh and let out a soft moan, "Erik…"
All at once, she crashed back to reality and wrenched her hands off herself, leaping out of bed shaking her head frantically and crying out softly to prevent anyone passing by her room to hear. Once she had calmed herself, she flopped down on her bed once more, shutting her eyes as she whispered, "Why are you doing this to me?"
"And what exactly would that be, Mon ange?" Alyssa flung her eyes open and sat bolt upright as the beautifully familiar voice reached her ears.
She searched the dim room for the owner, and soon realized he was playing hide and seek with her yet again. How long has he been watching? She thought to herself.
Her eyes went back to the mirror, his hiding place, behind one way glass that probably led to down to the dark unknown. She was excited by the fact he called her His Angel, and allowed herself a faint glimmer of hope.
She suddenly realized he was still waiting for her answer and she pulled the covers around her exposed shoulders, giving nothing of her inner battle away. "Why would I let you into my private thoughts, good monsieur?" She teased, knowing full well he hated the title.
"Oh no reason good mademoiselle, it's just that you seem a little tense. Having trouble sleeping are we? Hopefully there's nothing plaguing your innocent thoughts now…" He trailed off, somehow knowing exactly what was going through her mind.
She bit her lip, trying to formulate an answer that wouldn't expose the truth. It wasn't easy, as she found he could always tell if she was lying. Of course I'm tense, of course I can't sleep, of course my innocent thoughts are being plagued by impureness, but he mustn't know…
"No, I just had a bit of a nightmare. I'm alright now though." She bit her lip again, waiting for his reply.
From behind the mirror Alyssa heard a soft chuckle, "That's good to hear. We wouldn't want you tired for the performance tomorrow." He answered silkily.
Alyssa suddenly remembered she was performing the very next day, and felt nervousness begin to tug at her. She looked in Erik's direction and realized she had always wondered how long he sat behind the mirror and felt compelled to ask, completely forgetting the next evening's previous events.
"Erik, Do you…How long…" She inwardly slapped herself as she couldn't finish the sentence.
"Go on." He teased knowingly, enjoying the intoxicating effect he had on her.
Alyssa took a deep breath, "Do you watch me all the time? Do you watch me…dress?" She spluttered out her question feeling utterly embarrassed and awaited her amused angel's response.
"Believe it or not, mademoiselle, I do have some decency. I only come here in the night to watch you sleep, that's all." Alyssa sighed in relief and settled down into bed, finally feeling sleep approaching.
Before her lights went out, she asked one more favour of her angel. "Erik, would you sing to me please?" From behind his glass barrier, he smirked to himself, the arrogance building up once more as it had been doing these past few weeks.
"Of course, Mon ange." He answered, every syllable igniting the flames which already burned within his innocent young protégé. As he began his song, he came to the most intriguing conclusion of recent times.
Her mind now belonged to him.
-
Alyssa woke to the sound of sharp knocking on her door, followed by Madame Giry's level voice. "Miss Latrelle, are you awake? May I come in?"
Alyssa let the distinctive heavy French accent drift past her as she rolled over, still drowsy from the excellent nights sleep she had just had. A grin crossed her features as she thought about why she had slept so well, and her mind quickly went to thoughts of her angel, her Erik.
She buried her face in her pillow to stifle a giggle directed at herself for being so foolish during their late night rendezvous.
The knocking continued, breaking her train of thought and she sat up suddenly irritated, almost toppling over again as the blood rushed to her head from rising too fast.
She sighed and reached for her dressing gown beside her bed, then rose and made her way to the door to hinder the Madame's infernal knocking.
Alyssa opened the door a little way and was met by Madame Giry's intense gaze, though today she seemed extremely tired and run down, with dark rings encircling her amber eyes and her cheeks awfully hollow. "Yes?" Alyssa half demanded.
Giry raised an eyebrow at her impertinence and answered, "I was just letting you know it was time to rise, and making sure you were still here…" She trailed off and looked over Alyssa's shoulder, inspecting the room.
Alyssa leaned against the doorframe to prevent the Madame's prying eyes from traveling further. "And why, may I inquire, wouldn't I be here?"
Madame Giry's patience seemed to run out as she finished her question, and she retorted sharply. "Don't think I don't know what's going on Miss Latralle. He was here last night, wasn't he?"
Alyssa's eyes widened at the question and she opened her mouth to say something but was quickly stopped.
"I am worried for you, is that a crime? I know what his man is capable of, and I would hate for you to fall victim to his trap." Madame Giry stopped suddenly, almost unaware of what she was saying.
Did she actually care for this common ballet rat? Why was she warning her against Erik? Alyssa stared at the Madame curiously as she gathered her thoughts.
They met each others gaze and Giry finished, "Just be careful mon fille, se faire comprendre?"
Although Alyssa hardly knew any French, she understood the Madame's question and replied, "Oui, bien entendu."
Giry then turned and left Alyssa standing in the doorway of her room, deep in thought. Why had she warned her against her angel? What did this woman know about the mysterious maestro that she did not?
Alyssa shrugged and shut the door, then proceeded to dress for the long day of rehearsals ahead, and thought eagerly to later that evening when the Academy would put on its first presentation of the year.
-
As the crowds of characters and extras began to disperse from the final rehearsal, Alyssa made her way to her room buzzing with excitement.
Tonight would be her first performance live on stage since the incident at her previous college, and although she had a minor part, she could hardly wait to get out under the stage lights and dance.
To Erik's dismay she had missed out on a vocal part this time around as she was still only an understudy, but she felt sure nonetheless her small ballet part would get her accustomed to the new stage and prepare her for bigger things to come.
She reached her room and rushed in, pulling off her uniform skirt and bodice and searching for her costume.
In her excitement she had missed the trademark white envelope sealed with red wax sitting on her vanity.
She laid her dress out on her bed and admired it. The bodice was of deep gold stretched satin with small red roses embroidered around the edges and over the thick shoulder straps, the piece reaching sternum height leaving her taught midsection bare to allow greater movement. The sandy-colored ankle length chiffon skirt with matching embroidery was finished with a large brown leather belt pressed with small metal circles that sat on her hips.
Alyssa quickly unlaced her corset, stealing a glance at the mirror to make sure she was alone before slipping into her costume. It felt wonderful, the translucent chiffon brushing against her toned dancer's legs and the bodice relieving her from the tight corset she had been confined to for the last few months.
She dug out her cream-colored ballet slippers and walked over to her vanity, setting them on the floor near her feet and prepared to apply her stage makeup.
As she reached for her bottle of foundation, she spotted the distinctive envelope nestled amongst two perfume bottles. She shrieked in delight and lunged at the envelope, ripping at the seal excitedly.
Once she had it open, she took a deep breath and peered inside, noticing a small note and something else buried in the corner. She upturned the envelope, the contents falling upon her hand and realized the object was a bracelet, made from silver with small links and finished with a clasp in the shape of a heart, with small intertwining flowers engraved into it.
She gasped in surprise and was suddenly filled with such elation she felt sure she would burst. Could it be? She reached for the note that accompanied the gift and read it slowly, taking in every word.
Dearest Alyssa,
Please accept my gift as a token of my happiness for you on your big night.
It is a shame they left you out of the voice section,
though I have a feeling your vocal debut is not far away…
I will watch your performance from the shadows as always,
but remember, It will be quite closely as I am on the lookout for items that need work for future lessons.
Yours, Erik.
P.s: Might I add, you look absolutely exquisite in your costume. So stunning in fact I am still catching my breath…
Alyssa couldn't believe her eyes as she read the last sentence. An involuntary girly smile broke out across her lips as she read it once more. 'Still catching my breath…'
She giggled suddenly and placed it down on her table, her heart in her throat and her breathing slightly quickened. She glanced at it again and then to the clock on the wall which read 5:30pm.
She gasped suddenly and lunged at her makeup, realizing she was late, yet again. Before she could apply the first daub of foundation to her skin, there was a sharp, hurried knock at the door before Madame Giry, Melody, Sarah and Amelie burst in, all speaking at once.
Alyssa stood and rushed over to the group, trying to comprehend what they were all trying to get across to her. Suddenly, Madame Giry shouted "Silence!" and as if by magic, the shouting ceased and she stepped forward.
She looked Alyssa hard in the eye and spoke. "Something terrible has happened to Signora Charlott, she is unable to sing. You will take her placetonight, so I suggest you see the seamstresses immediately and review your lines."
Madame and Melody Giry fled from the room leaving Alyssa dumbfounded and without explanation. She hurriedly thanked her friends for their well wishes and ran to the tailoring room to be fitted with her new costume, all the while feeling sure Erik had something to do with her sudden twist of fate.
Emerging from the seamstresses' room, Alyssa had never felt so beautiful in all her life.
The bodice of her new costume was of deep blood red, reaching her hips with fine ribs and black laces pulling it tight to hug her figure, large straps of white lace which fell off her shoulders and finished with the same small roses around the deep neckline which exposed much of her slight cleavage. The skirt was much the same as her last one, though much more extravagant, with many floating layers of sandy chiffon embroidered intricately with small patterns reaching her ankles, and topped off with one layer of thin white lace falling from the bodice to the ground.
Her hair was left unbound, dead straight and sleek, with a single red rose weaved behind her ear, and her face untouched except for dark mascara and a little kohl outlining her shadowy eyes.
As she was bustled to the stage, she suddenly remembered the bracelet Erik had sent her and quickly snuck back to her room unnoticed. She flew in the door and grabbed it, slipping it over her small hand and fastening the clasp before turning to hurry out her door again, only to almost run headlong into the dark figure standing in the now closed doorway.
She went to scream but he was suddenly behind her, smothering all sound behind his leather glove which was now pressed to her mouth. "Don't scream Alyssa, it's just me."
She relaxed suddenly as his voice passed her ear, the unmistakable beauty of it igniting her senses. He removed his hand and she whispered, "Erik…"
He moved in front of her again, and let her gaze upon her angel who had finally stepped out into the light.
He wore black dress pants and a white lawn shirt, joined at the middle by a deep red cummerbund, the same color as Alyssa's bodice. A black silk bow tie was fastened at his throat and a lovely set of black tails completed the outfit.
"It's just like I imagined…" She whispered again, causing him to smirk as a small blush broke out across her angelic face. Her eyes immediately went to the mask as he expected, but then began roaming the rest of his features.
His hair was slicked back smartly and his eyes, deep grey-blue eyes burned into her, giving her the feeling he could see right into her very soul.
She looked away suddenly, blushing furiously and motioned to say something, but the words would not come. She felt cool leather again, caressing her cheek as he turned her face to him once more.
"I came to wish you luck, Mon ange. If I may…" He trailed off, and when their eyes met, he bent his head and pressed his lips against hers, startling and exciting her all at once.
She felt his hand snake its way behind her to rest on her lower back and he pulled her closer, feeling her sharp intake of breath. He teased her lips with his tongue and she opened for him eagerly, allowing him to delve into the warm recesses of her mouth, sending her higher than ever before, though try as he might to deepen their kiss, the damn mask prevented it.
She timidly inched her tongue forward to press against his, immediately feeling his grip on her lower back tighten as a low purr resounded in his chest.
He broke their kiss to breathe and smirked down at her dazed expression. He dropped one hand from her cheek, leaving the other resting tightly on her lower back, then moved his lips to her ear, the cool porcelain brushing her skin, sending shivers through her entire body.
"Run along now, it's almost showtime." He whispered silkily, receiving a small sigh from Alyssa before she came to her senses and brushed passed him and out the door, heading for the main stage.
Erik absentmindedly touched his lips and smirked, rather pleased with the evening's events so far.
The poison had worked wonders by shutting up Signora Charlott, he had successfullythrust Alyssa into the spotlightand had tightened his grasp on her mind and soul. Now all that needed to happen was that Alyssa's performance would be a success, she would come back happy, and he would seduce her on the spot. Perfect.
He allowed himself a small chuckle of satisfaction as he left her room, making for the great concert hall as the sounds of the orchestra warming up filled the air.
Alyssa reached the backstage wings just in time to meet Madame Giry, who immediately commented on her flushed appearance. Before she had a chance to explain, the overture began and the spotlight flashed, marking her cue.
Alyssa took a deep breath and smiled, this was it. She held her head high, took on her role and stepped into the spotlight; finally gracing the stage in what she hoped would be one of the greatest performances of her life.
The final thought that went through her mind before she became immersed in her character was of Erik, her angel, watching her from above in the catwalks, willing her to excel. S
he smiled, then thought quickly, by god I will! before opening her mouth to sing her first glorious note, the first of many on that fateful night.
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A/n: He he he, will Erik's plan succeed? You will have to wait till next time I'm afraid! I'm not giving anything away but if you're into a bit of kinky steamyness, its not far away...
Please review if you want more!