A/N: I'm glad that you guys are enjoying my new story. It took awhile to get the gist of where I was going with this. Hopefully you guys will understand a little more about the first chapter through this. If not, then ask away. Although I won't be able to reveal all of my secrets, maybe I can clear up some of the stuff that's confusing. Please don't be discouraged if it confuses you. It won't be revealed until the end of what's really going on. Hang in there with me and all will be told in time.
Until then, enjoy chapter 2. As always, read and review. I love to hear it all. Thank you to all of you who have read Light and are now reading this. It is definitely a change of pace for me. Enjoy!
Chapter 2 – An Angel to Guide Me
Paris – 1863
"Please…save me…"
She sat in the darkness. Her only companion was the lone candle that was lit in front of her. It barely made a difference in the darkness that wanted to claim her.
All of her tears had been shed. There was nothing left to cry with. Her father had been dead for almost six months. She had lived at the opera house for some time now. Madam Giry had made sure the ten-year-old girl had whatever she required.
She closed her eyes, remembering what her father had told her before he passed.
'I will send you an Angel of Music.'
'For me?'
'For my angel. You deserve an angel. The one I will send you will be talented. He will bring heaven to earth for you, Christine.'
'Oh, daddy…please, all I need is you. Do not leave me.'
'I can no longer stay. Find joy and music. Let it fill you as it did me.'
'And my angel?'
'I will send the angel to you. You will be protected, Christine. This I promise you.'
Christine smiled as she recalled her father's words. She would be protected by an Angel of Music who had not yet arrived but she knew that one day her father would keep his word.
"Christine…"
Her thoughts turned to the voice that seemed to fill the room. It consumed her – claimed her as nothing had before.
"Close your eyes."
Doing as the voice instructed, Christine closed her eyes. Music filled her mind and beautiful images swirled around her. She felt as though she were floating on a cloud.
"There is nothing to fear. I am here."
"Angel?"
"I want you to listen to my voice. Let it guide you when you need help. Let it teach you when you are willing. I am your Angel of Music. I will give you all you need."
Her father's promise had not been broken. He had sent an angel when she needed one the most.
"Now, get some sleep. Your lessons begin in the morning."
"Of course."
Opening her eyes, she stood and looked around the small chapel, but darkness shrouded her angel.
"Will I ever see you?"
"In time, my child. All in time."
Persia – 1854
"In time, my child. All in time."
Erik rolled his eyes as he watched the Sultana smirk at a young child in front of her. Her touch made the child smile but made Erik cringe. He knew what the Sultana would do to the child. It was only a matter of time before the child contracted some unknown illness that her Priests would conjure up. It would take days, if not weeks, for the child to die. It would be a tortuous death. But to the Sultana, it was simply a way to make the day go by.
She watched the little boy scurry off. Looking at Erik, she smiled. "You are grimacing."
"You are about to torture an innocent child."
"Remember, you are only here because my husband allows it."
"I am here to fill a void of some sort. You keep me here, surrounded by walls only a mountain climber could climb. You keep me in prison."
"I keep you to myself. Is that so wrong?" The Sultana approached him. He watched as her eyes masked an evil smile behind them. Her hands reached out and touched his chest. He stiffened and she smiled.
"A man of your nature could not survive outside of my walls."
"A man of my nature would not survive anywhere."
"How true." She circled him like a lion stalking its prey. "I am gentle with you, Erik. Why would you deny me the one thing I long for?"
"How long will you be gentle with me before you throw me to your Priests?"
She laughed. "If you are to die, you will die by my hand. I will not call upon my Priests for that honor. I have a new chamber being built. Maybe I will initiate it with you."
As the Sultana stood in front of him, Erik saw red. There had been rumors circulating the palace that the Sultana was building a torture chamber. Her husband denied her nothing. He feared her as much as everyone else in Persia did. She was the true ruler. Everyone bowed before her.
"Remember, Erik…that you are under my control." Her hands ran down his chest and rested on his hips. "I will soon have you begging for mercy."
His breath caught as she touched him. He closed his eyes, silently praying for some sort of miracle…
"My Sultana, the Sultan wishes to speak with you," said a voice from the door.
Erik watched as flames ignited in the amber orbs of the Sultana. Erik sighed in relief as her touch left him. He turned his head and saw a beautiful young woman standing behind him. She was scantly clad with ornamental markings adorning her body.
The Sultana watched as Erik took in the view behind him. She leaned in next to his ear. "I will return for you." She glared at the slave girl before exiting the rock garden.
Erik turned just in time to see the young woman begin to leave.
"Wait…"
