Christine knew exactly where she would lead him—down to her lair, past the tunnels of the Labyrinth, past the cold, dark lake, until he saw her true residence. She brought him gently, loving his touch even through her black-gloved hand. He was now in her power, and she could feel the sensation spreading through her as never before. She had a small shadow in the corner of her mind that he might get too curious…her mask intrigued all. But she could not let him see the horror beneath.
"In sleep she sang to me, in dreams she came,
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name.
And do I dream again? For now I find,
The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind."
Christine pulled him gently onward, and sang back to him.
"Sing once again with me, our strange duet!
My power over you grows stronger yet!
And though you turn from me, to glance behind,
The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your mind."
They had reached the lake. She helped him into her wooden gondola, got in behind him, and began to push the boat along as they took turns singing.
"Those who have seen your face draw back in fear!
I am the mask you wear!"
"It's me they hear!"
Their voices merged, filling the passage with sound.
"My/your spirit and your/my voice in one combined!
The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your mind!"
Christine felt the power within her rising to an almost unbearable rate, and let it out into the song completely.
"In all your fantasies, you always knew
That voice and mystery…"
"…were both in you!"
They sang together again. Christine could hardly steer the boat.
"And in this Labyrinth, where night is blind,
The Phantom of the Opera is there/here, inside your/my mind!"
"She's there, the Phantom of the Opera…"
His powerful voice rolled around her as he vocalized. He continued as they approached the shore of the lake, and Christine could barely believe that she had taught him, she had given him the strength to sing in such a way. "Sing, my Angel of Music!" she encouraged him. "Sing for me!"
As the last, highest note was hit, the boat cast onto the sloping shore. Christine was so full of music that, as she set the pole against the wall and removed her cloak with a swirl, she sang again.
"I have brought you to the seat of sweet Music's throne,
To that kingdom where all must pay homage to Music, Music.
You have come here with one purpose and one alone!
Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me,
To serve me, to sing for my Music, my Music…"
He had stayed in the boat the whole time, watching her with a mesmerized look. She went to him and the tone of her voice changed, becoming softer and tantalizing. He took her hand and again the sensation of touch erupted her arm in flames. She held onto him as he stepped out of the boat, and could not stop singing.
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation!
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination!
Silently the senses abandon their defenses,
Helpless to resist the notes I write!
For I compose the music of the night!"
She had to release his hand now, or she herself would catch fire in a moment. She turned away slightly and climbed the stairs as he followed her, always just beyond arm's length. She wished he would reach for her again.
"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor.
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day!
Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light,
And listen to the music of the night!"
Even without touch, she could sense how she wanted him. Every fiber in her body longed to be with him, just for a moment.
"Close your eyes, for your eyes will only tell the truth
And the truth isn't what you want to see!
Close your eyes, let your spirit star to soar!"
He closed his eyes as she held the high note, and she wondered what he felt inside.
"And you'll live as you've never lived before!
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you!"
His arms drifted out toward her, and she gave them a long look before she touched one gently.
"Open up your mind! Let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness that you know you cannot fight,
The darkness of the music of the night!"
Her hands slid into his, and their fingers intertwined.
"Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world!
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
Let your soul take you where you long to be!"
His eyes opened on that note, wide, starry, deep sapphire eyes that stared into her fiery ones with wonder and delight. Both of their hands were interlaced now, and Christine's breath was shorter.
"Only then can you belong to me…"
She drew herself into him, turning to press her back gently into him. He stiffened slightly, then relaxed, his arms coming around her waist. She guided his hand as it moved slowly over her shoulder and neck, and the unmasked side of her face.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin! Let your darker side give in
To the power of the music that I write,
The power of the music of the night!"
His hands trembled slightly. Christine denied herself the pleasure of further contact with him for his sake, and drew away, leading him again by the hand into her bedroom, where there was a soft bed in the shape of a swan. He lowered onto it without resistance, his eyes closing in the bliss of natural sleep. She looked down at him, hoping, wishing for more than she should.
"You alone can make my song take flight…"
She wanted him to hold her, and she wanted to kiss him. He would never love her. But he could do something.
"Help me make the music of the…night!"
She gently brushed her fingers across his lips. The curved upward in a sleeping smile. She stared longingly, hungrily at them, then slowly left.
She had been composing for her opera, Aminta Triumphant, but could think of no words to write. Now, she sat down at her desk and took up her quill, and the words flowed freely onto the paper.
"You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge,
In pursuit of that wish which, till now, has been silent, silent…"
