Manette's dark head bent over the letter as she sat in the stillness of the grand foyer. A shaft of sunlight lay across her shoulders, and warmed her skin as she rested on the cool marble bench. The rich gold of the marble floor soaked up the autumn light and bathed her in its serene glow.
Staring into the blue shadows that rimmed the room, she recalled Jade's strange behavior that morning when she had slipped the note into Manette's pocket. Jade had whispered into her friend's ear to read it in private, and to keep it on her person at all times.
At last, she had a free moment to read the mysterious note.
Dear Manette,
I have decided to accept your and Jean's kind offer to stay at your home for the next week. If you would be so kind to order a carriage for us when you are ready to go home this evening, I will meet you in the grand foyer at 6PM.
Please do not tell anyone of our arrangement. I would like to leave quietly without drawing attention to myself.
Sincerely,
Jade
Folding the note, she tucked it into a deep pocket in her skirt, and quickly walked to the auditorium.
As she climbed the grand staircase, her fingers stroked the sleek banister. It was wonderful that Jade was going to visit her and Jean. It was a milestone for their friendship that she had accepted their hospitality.
But why was she doing it with such secrecy?
Pausing before the door to the auditorium, she decided that she would keep this to herself, and not tell Jean. She and Jade would simply surprise him when they arrived home in the evening.
Manette had a very busy day ahead of her, as she would be assisting Madame Lacroix with the dance rehearsals. Everyone at the opera house was rushing towards the final dress rehearsal and opening night. The Opera Populaire had a frenzied air about it, and was bursting with the high energy of hundreds of highly focused artists and staff.
Stepping into the auditorium, she looked beyond the rows of seats to the stage below. Madame Lacroix and Madame Deschamps were on stage with the dancers. From the scraps of conversation that she could hear, Manette assumed that they were discussing the petite ballet that would be taking place in Act 2.
Taking in an excited breath, she hurried towards the stage. It was wonderful to be once again working with real dancers.
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That afternoon, the hallways in the staff quarters were particularly quiet. Sunday was typically the day that most of the staff had free. But on that Sunday, everyone was at his or her job in the opera house as they scurried to catch up with the revised work schedule.
Jade was roaming the halls with her energy on the rise. She had successfully descended and ascended two flights of stairs, and was eager to push herself further, and reach the excitement of the auditorium below. The only thing that held her back was her promise to Erik. At that moment, she was regretting that she had made it, and that she had so readily agreed to his terms. The urge to hear music, and see the colorful costumes and dance outweighed the risk of his wrath.
But, a promise was a promise, and she reluctantly turned back to her room.
With feet propped up, she massaged her tight legs. They were stronger than yesterday, which was good since she would need to use them soon. The music in her head was pounding away at her peace of mind, and showed no sign of letting up. She needed to dance out the tune.
Setting her feet on the floor, she took stock of her room. If she pushed the furniture aside, she might be able to create the space that she needed. Gazing into the huge mirror, she noticed that it altered the receding lines of the walls, and tricked the mind into believing that the room was much larger. Perhaps, if she were to pretend…
She placed her shoulder against the bed's headboard and pushed hard until he bed jumped and hit the wall. Then she moved the table and placed the chairs on top of it. Glancing at the heavy wardrobe, she resigned to leaving it in place. Instead, she tossed a blanket across its front to protect her from its sharp corners, and then turned and surveyed her work.
I won't be able to leap or move quickly across the floor, she thought. But with luck, it may do.
The heavy smell of burning wax mixed with a hint of gas from the lamp made her feel a little sluggish. But once she had removed her shoes, the cool floor roused her bare feet and energized her.
After stretching her arms, she paused and listened to the tune that was in her mind. As she stood in front of the mirror, she could see the music tangling itself in her body. It gathered around her tight shoulders and stiff neck, and rigidly hung on and blocked the flow of vital energy to other parts of her body. She felt tense and hidebound. More than anything, Jade wanted to break away and strike out at the space around her.
Getting down on her hands and knees, she rocked to the disjointed rhythm. After several minutes, her neck and shoulders began to relax. She arched her back like a cat and felt her spine pop pop pop with a satisfying staccato. With one long stretch, she pulled and twisted the tension from her muscles.
Raising her shoulders, she clenched her fists, and began to slowly pound them against the floor. Each blow crushed her doubts, tension, as nightmares as new blood rushed to her arteries. The pain was a relief. It washed away the dissonant melody.
Jade rose to her feet and trotted in place. Pivoting on one leg, she struck at the air with the other, and released the bound energy. Then she did one pirouette after another with the music wildly spiraling around her until her legs gave way, and she fell against the table.
As she grasped the table, she hung her head and listened to the melody which had changed to a slower refrain. Moving to the mirror, she swayed in front of the mirror and followed the new rhythm.
Staring into the mirror, she sensed emptiness, and dim passages beyond that wound into darkness. Like a loadstone, the darkness reached out, and pulled at her until she felt a shiver run up her spine. Then the music ended, and she was free.
Exhausted, she crawled into bed, and lay curled up on its edge with a pillow clasped to her chest. Her hands throbbed with pain but the silence was worth it. Shutting her eyes, she passed into a deep and dreamless sleep.
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Jade awoke to a loud pounding sound. Groggily, she pushed herself off the bed and cautiously opened the door.
A very large man stood in front of her who was slowly blinking, and looking at her shyly.
"Mlle. Bouta?' he finally asked. His eyes traveled up and down her frame as if he were estimating how much she weighed. He pulled a letter from his pocket, which he pushed into her hands. Then he quickly stepped back a foot and waited.
Jade looked at him suspiciously since she hadn't seen him around the opera house before. She nodded to him as she took the letter from his hand, and then quickly shut the door in his face.
From the safety of her locked room, she opened the letter and read:
Mlle. Bouta,
Please accompany the messenger who bears this letter. He will carry you to the theater so that you may attend rehearsals today.
I trust that you will find the change a pleasant diversion from the boredom of your quarters.
Your obedient servant,
E.
Jade stared at the note in her hands, and then at the closed door in front of her. How strange of him to send someone to fetch me! After a moment's reflection she thought, and yet, not so strange. Why do I even pretend to know what he might do next?
Another heavy knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts. She glanced up at the sturdy wood panels, and a warm flush of excitement colored her face. Moving to the wardrobe, she took out the bag that she had packed for her trip to Manette's. Then opening the door, she stepped into the corridor, and joined the large man who was twiddling his thumbs as he waited.
The bear of a man carried her to the management offices where she left the bag near her desk. A moment later she was back in his arms, and traveling to the grand foyer. Quickly he bore her up the great staircase to a hallway that led to the private boxes overlooking the auditorium.
Jade flinched as they reached the silent hallway. The whole experience was beginning to feel eerie and somewhat sinister. She hadn't spent time in this part of the opera house, and was entering territory that she regarded as forbidden to the average staff member.
A minute later she was in a private box and the man had departed.
Jade looked around expecting to see a cloaked figure lurking in the corner. Instead, she saw a note on the table with her name on it. Opening it, she read:
Jade,
Please join me in box five, which is three doors down from your left.
E.
Box five was empty. However, the curtains were open and there was an excellent view of the stage below. Turning to the table, Jade eyed the wine and food that were laid out in anticipation of a late lunch. There was also a small tin of fine chocolates. Their rich, sweet smell perfumed the small room.
Looking down at the stage, she noticed that the chairs in the box were back far enough that one could see the activity below, but not be seen. She watched the people for a minute, and then settled into a chair and waited.
After a few minutes the voices faded, and the orchestra began to play.
Jade hadn't met the principals of the opera, but she guessed that the lone woman on the stage was playing the role of Aida. The song pouring from the singer was intensely sad. Closing her eyes, she focused on the pure soprano voice, and was grateful that the music in her mind was silent so that she could fully appreciate the singing.
There was a soft rustling to her right, and a slight swish of air against her arm. Opening her eyes she saw Erik sitting in the chair only a couple feet away from her.
He was wearing a suit and a waistcoat, but the cape was absent. Since he appeared to be intently watching the singer, and paying no attention to Jade, she studied him for a moment. His pale face was in profile with a trace of the white mask showing. His smooth black hair was neatly pulled back with a ribbon, and softly shone in the dim light.
Erik turned from the stage, and he poured the wine. As he offered her the glass, their eyes met. Suddenly, Jade was no longer in box five but was back at the stable in the wounded stallion's stall with her heart beating fiercely. The wine glass touched her hand and its cool, hard surface pulled her back to the present. She quickly lowered her eyes, and took the glass from him with a nod.
Handing her a plate of food, he motioned for her to eat. After taking her plate, she watched him from under her lashes as he casually bit into the bread and cheese, and sipped the wine with his eyes fixed on the stage. Their shared meal put her a little more at ease with him but she still remained ready for an unpredictable move on his part.
Jade sipped her wine, and listened to the music floating up from below. The contact between them was beginning to feel almost normal. She was perched in a lavish Opera box, and enjoying a good wine in broad daylight with the Opera Ghost. The whole situation was vaguely amusing.
Don't get too comfortable, her practical side suddenly warned. The last time he made an appearance here, he was murdering people.
The singer finished, and Erik leaned close to Jade as he quietly explained the plot of the opera.
She had never experienced the drama of opera, much less that of a Grand Opera. Each song and interaction told its own small story, and she watched carefully for the meaning. The music was fantastic—far better in the auditorium than what she had heard in the offices. And the marriage of voice to orchestra was powerfully moving.
Again, she felt warm breath on her ear as Erik leaned closer to explain.
"Here is where Aida enters the tomb of the man she loves. She declares her love, and her intention to die with him."
Something in Erik's voice made her look at him. He was leaning forward with a clenched jaw as he gripped his chair, and focused on the stage.
His intense display of emotions startled her. Suddenly it felt wrong for her to be there, as if she were invading his private feelings. Quickly she lowered her eyes, and turned back to the singers.
The opera was coming to an end. Aida and Radames were passionately singing their final duet as they faced their deaths. Aida's soul was burning out like a candle as her lover desperately held her for one last moment.
Jade turned away from the stage, and shut her eyes. It's only a performance, she thought. It's not real. But she couldn't stop the tears. Nor would she wipe them away and bring attention to herself. She waited for the wave of pain to end.
The tears stopped, and the image of Jean-Luc slipped safely back into the past.
It was close to 5 o'clock and the rehearsals were finished for the day. It was time for her to leave.
She looked at Erik who was eyeing her swollen hands. He placed his index finger on one hand, and traced the bruise that was beginning to expand on its surface. Then he looked into her eyes, and raised his eyebrow in a question. Jade looked away, avoiding his curiosity and concern.
Rising, Erik looked down at her as his face settled into cool indifference.
"Jade, I have not made arrangements for someone to carry you back to your room. If you will permit me, I will take you there myself."
Her mouth opened in surprise, and then she quickly shut it as she composed herself. Exactly how does he plan on doing that? she wondered.
Erik stood there motionless, waiting for her answer.
Turning away, she puzzled over her dilemma. She was beginning to trust him, and it seemed a kind offer. However, the thought of being in his arms was causing her heart to pound, and a chill to run up her spine.
He's very good at this, she thought restlessly. He's wearing down my resistance.
Gazing at her swollen hands, she finally decided.
"Erik, thank you for everything. I won't be returning to my room just yet. Instead, I have something I wish to do at the office first. If you could take me there, I'm sure that I can get help to return to my room afterwards."
Erik's eyes burned into her and there was a little frown on his brow.
Jade quickly continued. "I won't be working there, I promise."
After swinging the cloak across his shoulders, he turned and faced her. He was holding a black scarf between his gloved hands.
"The passages I will be taking you through are a secret. Would you allow me to blindfold you?" He held the cloth casually in his hands as if it were a mere hat or cloak.
Jade backed away as the tension gripped her stomach. She was remembering the rope that had bound her wrists in the storeroom. Once again she felt trapped. Instinctively she raised her arm to strike out.
He was at her side before she could speak. His fingers were on her wrist, and his warm breath was at her ear. Softly, he murmured to her, "Jade, I will take you immediately to the offices and no further. I promise."
As she stood there frozen, the memory of the wounded stallion came to her. She could see Erik's hands stroking and soothing away the wounded horse's pain.
After a long exhalation, she nodded to him. Gently he placed the scarf over her eyes.
She was in his arms. Then there was a grating sound followed by silence.
The air changed and became heavier and cooler. She knew they were encased in stone as they moved quickly along the passages. Downwards they traveled, silently. Jade listened to the soft sound of his breathing, and then realized that she was holding her own breath. She was trying not to lean against him, and in a gentlemanly fashion, he was holding her out a little from his body so as not to force a false intimacy upon her.
The practical part of her whispered about danger, but the adventurer in her hushed the fear.
Soon it was over, and the familiar sight of a hall near the management offices replaced the excitement of that dark journey. The blindfold had been removed and Erik was gone.
Checking the time, she noted that it was half past five. After fifteen minutes she took her bag, and walked to the grand foyer.
Manette was standing alone in the foyer and waiting for her. Her cheerful, bright expression soothed Jade's jangled nerves.
As they stepped towards the doors, Jade paused and looked behind her. She was searching for a darker shadow within the shadows but there was nothing there.
With the great building to their backs, they descended the stairs, and walked across the Place de l'Opera to the cabs that were gathered beyond. In the diminishing light of twilight the two women entered a waiting carriage. Then a sharp tap on the roof signaled the driver to leave.
The carriage slowly moved through the evening traffic as night descended on the city. Jade sat back in her seat and avoided Manette's eyes as she reflected on what she had just done.
Erik would feel angry with her when he found out that she had disobeyed his orders. After the intimacy of Box five, he would probably feel betrayed as well. The next time they met, the gentle touch of his hand would be replaced by something less pleasant.
Gazing out the carriage window, she watched the people who were walking past the closed shops. Wrapped up in their private worlds and living average lives, they seemed oblivious to the people around them. Jade found their normalcy comforting.
Manette was silently looking out the window as well. Jade hoped that for the sake of her friend, Erik would not follow her. She didn't want to put Manette and Jean in danger. She would have to tell them what she had told DuChant, that someone had taken an interest in her. It was important that she convince them to keep her presence in their home a secret if she wished to avoid his visiting them.
Closing her eyes, Jade made the sign of the cross, and said a prayer to the Blessed Virgin asking for the safeguarding of Manette, and Jean.
And then she prayed for Erik as well.