Chapter 34 Destiny

Jade opened her eyes, and stared into the darkness. A shimmering awareness signaled an end to the dream. His warmth and touch were slipping away. Languidly she pressed her face into the pillow, as she tried to hold onto the fading sensations. After a few minutes, it was gone.

The floor's chill pricked her bare feet, and slid up her legs as she walked to the gaslight. Dressing quickly, she finished her toilette, and left for the offices. It was early, around five o'clock in the morning and Madame Truffaut would be there in a few minutes.

Yawning hard, she walked the corridors. It was endless night in that part of the opera house. The gaslights were always lit, and the windowless halls could have been underground for lack of sunlight. Several levels below were the cellars, giant rooms stuffed with forgotten remnants of past productions and the shards of operatic triumphs.

This would be an ideal time to explore those rooms, she thought, as she moved briskly down the stairs. She had extra time now that the child was gone.

Jade was glad that today would be a long one at work. There were only a few places in the opera house where she hadn't spent time with Gillian. One was the management offices and the other was the cellars below. If her memories became too troublesome, she might find a measure of peace there in the dusty bowels of the building.

Arriving at the offices, she tried the door, which was locked. As she leaned against the wall, Jade considered if she should send a letter to Pierre about Gillian's departure. If she did, he would call on her and offer her comfort, and it might hurt him to see her so soon after what had happened yesterday. On the other hand, if she didn't tell him, he would also feel hurt.

The sharp sound of Mme Truffaut's footsteps pierced the stillness, and pulled her from her thoughts. Straightening, she clasped her hands in front of her and welcomed her taskmaster.

Madame Truffaut was in a fine mood that morning. A music director for the Opéra Populaire had finally been hired, a Monsieur Francois Bellet. According to Madame, he was a brilliant talent who had left his position at a prestigious Russian opera house, and accepted the Deschamps' invitation to join the Opéra Populaire.

Jade's assignment that morning was to order goods for M Bellet's new home. The owners were making special arrangements for their prized director, who happened to be a friend of Madame Deschamps.

"Ah, he will set things right," stated Mme Truffaut as she snapped the ledger shut, and handed it to Jade. The older woman despised disorder and chaos. Although Mme Deschamps had done a remarkable job at replacing the now deceased M Meley, and had successfully launched the current opera, her inexperience had caused problems for the management department.

The morning passed quickly as Jade attended to the many details essential for establishing a residence in Paris. With a list of M Bellet's and Mme Deschamps' preferences in front of her, she wrote a stack of requisitions and letters to shops and tradesmen.

By midday, she was nearly finished. After flexing her numb and tingling fingers, she put on her cloak, and quickly walked to the delivery door.

A half hour later, she was standing by a wagon as it unloaded its goods, and dreamily gazing at the clouds that drifted overhead. The longer she watched their slow, majestic movements the more detached she felt from her unwieldy life. Their billowy shapes formed pieces of faces, and at one point Gillian's soft cheeks were clearly discernible.

The light footsteps of a woman brought her back to the harsh, chilly, day. Turning, she saw Manette, who was wearing her usual, bright smile.

Beaming gently, Manette laid a comforting hand on her friend's arm. Her light green dress and rosy cheeks reminded Jade of warmer, more carefree days.

"Jade dear, what are you doing tonight after work? Jean and I would love to have you join us for dinner. There's a restaurant that we wish to take you to."

"Thank you Manette. That's very kind of you to think of me," she replied slowly with a serious smile. "I'll be working past seven tonight, and I thought I'd retire early. Perhaps we could do it at another time?"

Manette gave her a steady look. "It would do you good to get out of this place and go somewhere new. Please, if you can not come tonight, will you at least visit with us tomorrow at our home?" Her lustrous eyes pleaded with her friend.

Sighing, Jade nodded in agreement. "I'll be working tomorrow as well. After I finish, I can join you and Jean."

Dismayed, Manette shook her head.

"Working! You should be doing something enjoyable tomorrow, not slaving here. Jade dear, there will be plenty of time to work later. Please, be kind to yourself and get away from this place."

Shaking her head 'no', Jade replied, "I can't. I've already promised Monsieur DuChant that I will be in the office tomorrow." Then shrugging her shoulders, she turned back to her work.

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Manette walked to the offices with a determined step, and firmly knocked on M DuChant's door. The voice within said, "enter" and she stepped in.

DuChant was seated at his desk, and looked up as the pretty ballet teacher entered. He recognized her immediately. She had received high praise from Mme LaCroix, the opera's ballet mistress, who had requested that she become her permanent assistant. It was simply a matter of finding a competent woman to take over the children's ballet classes, and then she could be reassigned. He had planned to speak with Mme Dubois as soon as the new arrangements were made.

"Please, have a seat. How can I help you today, Mme Dubois?" Admiring her fine complexion and graceful carriage, he held back a sigh. Her husband was a lucky man.

"If you please, Monsieur, there is a matter that I need to speak with you about. I have a friend who works in the offices, a Mlle Bouta, who has told me that she will be working extra hours tomorrow. She was very close to one of my students, the little girl Gillian, who left the opera house earlier this week. She has just heard the news of her departure. Mlle Bouta is not one to shirk her duties or complain of a misfortune, so I am here to speak on her behalf."

"Yes?" DuChant inquired, as he leaned forward slightly.

"Well Monsieur, if you would allow her to have tomorrow free, it could be very helpful in lifting her spirits," she said smoothly, as she noticed the sudden sharpness in his eyes. "These are my concerns, not hers," she quickly and demurely added.

DuChant put his fingers together and thoughtfully studied the woman in front of him. It was not an unreasonable request. Mlle Bouta had probably not heard of the child's departure when she volunteered to work the extra day. She could make up the lost hours at another time. If Pierre knew about her situation he would certainly be here asking for the same thing.

Pierre was convinced that the woman had saved his life. If his friend was correct, Duchant owed her a great deal.

Returning his attention to the papers in front of him, he bluntly replied, "I will consider your request, Mme Dubois. Good day."

Manette rose, and quickly slipped out of the office before Jade returned.

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It was evening, and Jade was finishing her work. Madame Truffaut had left over an hour ago after she'd told her that she wouldn't be needed tomorrow.

Locking the door, she pushed the key under it, and walked towards her room. She wasn't hungry, and had decided to go to bed early. The day had been relatively easy but she still felt strangely tired, as if she could sleep the entire night and late into the next day. Since she didn't need to work tomorrow, she would spend the morning in bed. Then she'd go to mass, and to the cemetery to visit Meley's grave. After that, she would dine with Manette and Jean in their home.

The only part of tomorrow that she looked forward to was her morning in bed.

Today had been harder than she had expected. There were too many details that reminded her of Gillian. Marie had worn red ribbons in her hair, and one of the delivery boys had bright blue eyes. Filling one of the orders for flowers had brought to mind Gillian's enthusiasm for those vivacious colors. Endless reminders had finally overcome her barriers, and she had found herself fighting back the tears.

Walking slowly to her room, she chose a route that avoided the ballet classrooms.

The halls of the staff quarters were empty. It was close to eight o'clock and those who were not working at the performance had gone out to the local nightlife, to one of the many cafés of Paris. A favorite past time of the staff was to dine with their friends as they commented on and argued about life.

Stepping into her room, Jade lit the gaslight, and turned to the table. Propped against a candleholder was a letter. Quickly, she opened it.

My dear Jade,

Would you please join me tonight?

I will be waiting for you in the room where we met on opening night.

Bring the cloak that I gave you.

Erik

Jade stared at the bold handwriting, and then placed the letter in the drawer with his other notes. Sitting on the bed, she considered what to do. She didn't want to spend time with anyone tonight. All she wanted was to sleep. But if she didn't follow his wishes, he would come to her room later, and be annoyed. Besides, she was in debt to him for giving her news about Gillian's whereabouts.

Lying on the bed, she rested for a few moments, and recalled the morning's dream where she had lain in his arms. It had been so easy between them, and comfortable.

If only he had a simpler mind, she pondered. But he didn't. And frankly, she had to admit that it was one of the reasons his pull on her was so strong. His brilliance was tantalizing.

Getting up, she swung the cloak over her shoulders. Then wrapping her violet scarf about her throat, she left her room.

The storage room was dark and silent when she entered. Shutting the door, she rested her back against it, and waited. Moments later there was a faint grating sound followed by a draft. A match was struck, and Erik stood before her.

Perhaps it was the eeriness of the setting or her fatigue, but Jade felt a sudden chill across her arms when she looked at the tall man dressed in black. He was gracefully bending over a lantern and looked almost serpentine in the darkness.

She watched as he lit the wick with one smooth sweep of his hand. His powerful looking figure and decisive movements fascinated her. He was different than he had been in her dream. His face was harsher in the lantern light and his eyes had an intense, burning quality that frightened her a little.

Erik drew closer, and silently faced her. He smiled slightly as he invitingly held his hand out. There was an air of controlled excitement about him, and Jade realized that tonight was to be different.

"Where are we going, Erik?" she calmly asked.

His eyes gleamed as he gazed at her for a long moment.

"Jade, the time has come to take you to my home," he replied quietly.

In the shifting light, his white mask emerged from the darkness, and stared fiercely at her. Startled, she stepped back, and braced herself against the door as her knees went weak.

Erik's mouth formed a line as he waited for her answer.

Watching him warily, she gathered her wits about her. She had known this day would eventually come. She just hadn't expected that it would be this soon. I'm not ready! she wanted to cry out. I need more time.

Then out of the blue, an old, familiar sensation arose: a buzzing pulsation along her spine. It was the signal which always heralded a life changing event.

Jade's eyes widened with astonishment as the comprehension hit her.

It's him!Erik's the reason I came here.

Shutting her eyes, she felt a surge of energy, and remembered.

Nearly two months ago, she had stood outside of a café, and gazed at the opera house in the distance. At that time, that same sensation had come to her, the one that always pointed the way. And she had obeyed it, just as she had weeks before when it had guided her to Paris.

I have to go with him.

Something important was about to happen, and she needed to make the right choice. But she wouldn't rush into it blindly. It was her decision, and she would make it on her terms.

Tilting her chin up, she opened her eyes, and looked firmly into his.

He was studying her. His eyes were moving across her face and body, and taking in every detail

"Very well, Erik, she said evenly. "However, before we go, I have a few conditions."

"Conditions?" he asked coolly. Without having moved an inch, he suddenly seemed to tower over her, and his smile had vanished.

Shifting her weight, her knees lost their weakness, and her spine stiffened.

"Yes. First, I want you to promise me that you will bring me back when I ask you to."

Erik stared down at her, and his jaw tightened. The small lines at the corner of his eyes disappeared from the tension in his face.

"Are you so sure that I will honor a promise that I make to you, my dear?" he replied in a low, threatening voice.

Resisting the urge to nervously lick her lips, Jade tilted her chin a bit higher.

"Yes, I believe that you will honor a promise that you make to me, Erik," she answered boldly.

Eyeing her, his expression softened a bit.

She continued. "Secondly, I ask that while I am with you, that you behave like a gentleman at all times."

A snort of disgust escaped Erik as he stared at her with annoyance.

"And what sort of guarantee would that be? A gentleman's arrogance is no safeguard," he replied icily.

"Yes, I know," she said patiently. "However, you know as well as I that there are codes of conduct that real gentleman follow when dealing with women, and that's what I am asking of you," Jade countered.

Seeing his frustration over that stipulation, she knew she was right to ask it of him. Who knew what cozy plans he would carry out once he got her to his home? She would not battle with him there, and fight off overtly seductive behavior when she was at his mercy.

Erik gave her a curt nod.

"Is that all?" he asked caustically, as he continued to loom over her.

"There is one more thing," she said softly.

Unwrapping the violet scarf from around her throat, she placed it in his hands. Erik watched her with cool interest.

"Not too long ago, I was asked by a priest in the confessional if I knew where you lived. At the time, I didn't, so I couldn't reveal it and betray you. I fear that someday I will be asked it again."

She paused, and looked earnestly into his eyes. "I'm a terrible liar, Erik. They'll know if I'm hiding the truth. And perhaps they'll find a way to get it out of me."

Erik's eyes were fixed on hers.

"If you blindfold me, I won't be able to see where we go. However, you must also distract me by talking to me or reciting poetry. I have a very good memory, and I'd be able to remember the way if you didn't do that. And, if you are able to, carrying me would be advisable as well."

Looking down, she exhaled and waited.

A moment later, his gloved hand was under her chin, and tilted it up so that her eyes met his.

"Agreed," he said gently.

Jade closed her eyes, and felt the scarf snugly bind them shut. Then he lifted her into his arms, and the door slid behind them.

The handle of the lantern was pressed against her hand. "Hold this," he said. She grasped the light, and held it in front of them.

This time he held her close to him as he carried her. Her right side pressed against his waistcoat, and she felt his heart beating.

"If I'm to recite poetry to you, my dear, than I shall give full credit to the author of said work. This is a verse by Byron."

As he spoke, his voice filled her mind, and its beauty flowed around her like a silvery mist. She forgot his steps and turns, and lost herself in the moment.

After awhile, she wondered if he tired of carrying her. But his arms held her firmly, and his gait didn't falter. As she leaned her head against his shoulder, her cheek rubbed the fine fabric of his suit.

Then Erik stopped his recitation, and stood still.

"Part of our trip is by boat," he said. Slowly, he lowered her into the waiting craft.

The boat tilted slightly as he set her inside, and then again when he entered. Her arms shot out to its sides, and gripped them fiercely. She hadn't anticipated this part, and her breathing quickened as the fear rushed into her.

Jade hadn't been in a boat since she was sixteen. Since then, she had avoided them at all costs. As the boat began to move, she heard the spatter of drops falling from the paddle, which dipped and slid through the water. The sound grated on her nerves. Biting her lip, she steeled herself against the fear. But it was no use. After a few minutes, she began to shake as she held on for her life.

After what seemed like an eternity, a voice cut through her panic.

"Jade, I can remove the blindfold if it would make you more comfortable."

His voice was gentle and warm. She nodded in agreement. A moment later, it was off, and she was looking at the man in front of her.

The lantern was at her back, and cast an amber glow on Erik who was seated a few feet away. His eyes rested steadily on her face, as he gauged her reactions. He had a slight frown.

Abruptly turning her face away from him, she tried to compose herself. She felt ashamed of her fear. The terror only appeared when she was on water. She wished she could purge it from her mind, but she had no idea how.

Erik began to paddle again, and Jade held her anxiety at bay by thinking about where they were. Where was all the water coming from? And there were no stars. They must be within a cavern. It would explain the sound of his voice, which had a resonating quality as if they were inside the auditorium.

Looking up at Erik, she saw that he was still watching her. But, instead of his face showing contempt or mockery, which she had expected, there was concern and another feeling that she didn't recognize.

Eventually he stopped paddling, and the boat drifted for a minute. Then it lightly touched the shore. Erik stepped out, and pulled the craft onto land. Reaching down, he lifted her out of the boat.

He carried her to a building that in the blackness was only noticeable when they were upon it. He has eyesight better than a cat's, she marveled.

Suddenly, a door opened before them.

Inside was a room that blazed with candlelight. Jade stepped forward, her eyes blinking from the brightness. Then she heard the door shut behind her. She turned around, and saw Erik leaning against the door with an inscrutable look on his face and his eyes burning into hers.

Straightening, he stepped towards her and with an elegant sweep of his hand, invited her to take in the wonders of his abode.

Smoothly, he declared, "My dear Jade, welcome to my home."