Chapter 18

The boat slowed to a steady stop and brushed up against the edge of another bank. Erik's voice reverberated around all the wet, slimy walls of the cave. The soft glow of candlelight made the water easier to see, but no less dangerous. Erik's may have stopped singing, but his mouth did not close, it hung open in wonder. It wasn't until he felt the boat rock again, and he hung on to the edge of it just like before to steady himself, did he throw a cautious look behind him. He saw a great iron gate beginning to close noiselessly, in fact he wasn't even aware that they had passed under one. He looked around for the Phantomess, but she wasn't behind him anymore so he faced the front of the boat and saw her standing serenely by the water's edge. She looked him in the eyes and offered him her hand to get out of the boat. He looked down at the gloved, white hand once more and took it again willingly and trustingly. She helped him to stand and cross over the threshold of the boat, thankful that his feet touched down on firm, dry, land. She began to walk away from him, looking around her lair thoughtfully.

"I have brought you,

To the seat of sweet music's throne.

To a Kingdom where all must pay homage to music,

Music…" The Phantomess sang softly in his ear seductively drawing him closer towards her. He obeyed without question; he only hungered for her voice and for her to sing to him. It sent chills down his spine, her voice was unlike anything he had ever heard before. At times it could be passionate, furious, or gentle and he marvelled at her again.

"You have come here,

For one purpose, and one alone…" She had reached a great black organ with iron pipes that extended far above her lair. She glanced down at a pile of music sheets and then turned around to face Erik. Her face was filled with longing, and he fought the overwhelming urge to comfort her, to hold her until she felt her longing returned.

"…Since the moment I first heard you sing,

I have needed you with me,

To serve me, to sing,

For my music,

My music…" Her voice had fallen, but her eyes held his gaze, as her voice trailed off into nothing leaving the grand cave silent except for the occasional dripping of water and the flickering of candles. The Phantomess stepped slowly away from the organ and over back to where she had left Erik standing and offered her hand a third time. Erik was so deep under her power that he placed his hand in hers before giving it a second thought. Her eyes sparkled with some inner glow and she allowed her face to twist into a small smile, which Erik returned, elated that he had done something to make this woman smile. She led Erik away from the black water and slowly towards the organ.

"Night-time sharpens,

Heightens each sensation.

Darkness stirs and,

Wakes imagination.

Silently the senses,

Abandon their defences." Her voice overwhelmed Erik and her hypnotic stare only increased his interest and longing for her. Simply and plainly, he was hers. They stopped by the organ and bathed in a pool of candlelight the Phantomess released his hand and circled him to stand behind Erik. Placing her hands on Erik's chest she caressed him and moved her head so close to his ear that Erik could feel her breath. His whole body tingled at her touch.

"Slowly, gently,

Night unfurls its splendour.

Grasp it, sense it,

Tremulous, and tender…" The Phantomess' hands wound their way up past his neck and cupped his face as she came to stand beside him. She turned his face towards her and their faces were just inches apart. They breathed together as one.

"…turn your face away,

From the garish light of day.

Turn your thoughts away,

From cold unfeeling light." She leaned in closer to put her mouth right next to his ear and she sang soothingly.

"And listen to,

The Music of the Night." She drew away, her deep, dark eyes filled with emotion far beyond what Erik could even comprehend. Erik was filled with her voice and her music, something, which was indescribable. He had never felt like this before, it was a terrifying and thrilling experience all at once. As if the Phantomess could sense what he was feeling, her eyes softened, which made her looked even more exquisite in the soft light of candles. She took his hand and drew him along with him, motioning to each side as Erik gazed in horror and wonder at the place in which he was now. There were stacks and stacks of music piled up in every corner, threatening half heartedly to tip over at any second. The red velvet drapes covered almost every inch of the lair, giving it a dark feeling and yet made Erik feel like he was in an expensive hotel. Not that he had ever been to one before. Is this what the Phantomess wanted? To escape from her current reality? He looked around more as the Phantomess led him around the cave. Candles were everywhere, just like the drapes and the music. The dusty organ loomed in the centre atop a few stairs, and this is where the Phantomess ran, after she let go of his hand. She whirled around the organ like a wild animal and slowed down to look at Erik straight in the eyes. She composed herself and her mouth opened to reveal more unearthly sound.

"Close your eyes,

And surrender,

To your darkest dreams…" Erik closed his eyes as commanded, not worried in the slightest of what she was doing. He was completely in a state of bliss, which he never wanted to end. He would gladly stay like this forever listening to the golden voice of the mysterious woman who had brought him here.

"…Purge your thoughts
of the life you knew before!

Close your eyes,

Let your spirit start to soar!" Erik's soul did soar as the Phantomess sang a startlingly high clear note, which rang out to fill the small cavern. His mind went black, and the sound wound its way through his ears and down to his soul. He had never heard or experienced anything like this before in his whole life. With his eyes closed, he stood in the Phantomess' lair straining to hear the sound that was dying out far too quickly. He opened his eyes to see her standing in a soothing pool of light looking down at Erik as if for the first time.

"And you'll live,

As you've never lived before." She made her way from the organ and took his hand, which he did not refuse; in fact he took it again almost eagerly, hoping to be witness to more of her singing. She led him, showing him more of her lair as they walked. He saw a miniature model of the Opera House, complete with a stage and even a chandelier. He also spotted a smaller version of himself and one of La Carlotta and Senior Pianji, but he was the only one in the limelight. He turned with confusion in his eyes back towards the Phantomess, but she paid his look no heed.

"Softly, deftly,
music shall surround you.
Feel it, hear it,

Closing in around you . . ." By this time she had run her gloved hand over his arm and it had made its way to his face, and he found with surprise that he was gladly seeking her touch. She smiled at him and returned it with ease. She left his side, releasing his hand and spread her own arms wide, showing how proud she was of her lair. Her voice swelled to a crescendo as she sang.

"Open up your mind,
let your fantasies unwind.

In this darkness, which

You know you cannot fight…" She returned her sweeping gaze to his and sang softly again, causing Erik to lean forward in order to hear her.

"…The darkness of,

The Music of the Night." She moved back towards him and grasped his hand firmly. He found that he really no longer cared, even though she was touching him, He was craving her to actually hold him as she did before. Her voice and the song were both equally seductive, Erik however, had trouble concentrating on anything but her and her music: Her Music of the Night.

"Let your mind
start a journey through a
strange new world!
Leave all thoughts
of the world
you knew before!"
Erik knew that those thoughts were already long forgotten. The Phantomess' voice grew louder as she sang, preparing for one final ending, but getting no less melodious or angelic.
"Let your soul
Take you where you
long to be!"
The only place he wanted him or his soul to be was right here with her. Her voice filled him as she sang out strong and clear in the last crescendo, and she gazed into his eyes, willing him to let his soul be free with her music. Her voice fell softly, and he watched her with fascination.
"Only then
can you belong
to me . . ."
They had crossed most of the lair, by this time and had come to a space just between two heavy, red, velvet curtains, where they stopped again, and she turned her face towards his and moved closer.
"Floating, falling,
sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me
savour each sensation!"
Erik obeyed, their bodies moving as one as she sang to him, in the mixed bask of candlelight and darkness. A place with magic, where time stood still and nothing was, as it seemed. Erik was completely lost in the wonder and mystery of it all. She caressed him and he returned her movements, reaching his hands up towards her face and her mask. He sensed some hesitation by her as his hands made their way closer, but she relaxed quickly, giving him a small smile. They parted, which left Erik breathless and craving more of the sweet, dark mysteries, which she seemed to arouse in him when she touched or held him.
"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 . . ."
her voice surrounded him until there was nothing except him, her and the music, which began to fade softly in the cave. She reached behind her and pulled back the curtains to reveal something, which Erik could not see. She stepped aside and Erik saw a life-sized doll of himself, dressed in evening wear. He stared at it for a moment or two and then felt his mind reel and he fell heavily against the Phantomess, unconscious. She lifted him carefully up and carried him over towards some more curtains, black lace this time, however, no less delicate or finely woven. She placed Erik down in the bed lined with red silk, behind those curtains and watched him sleep for a few moments, utter bliss on her face. She seemed to come out of her revere and pulled on a thick chord, which began to close the curtains, sealing Erik off from the Phantomess. As she watched Erik disappear behind them, she softly sang a last line to him.

"You alone, can make my song take flight,

Help me make the Music of the Night."

A/N: Hoped you liked this chapter! I had a tiny bit of a time trying to write it, but I'm glad it turned out all right. Review and tell me what you think!