Author's Note: Hey everyone! I have been sick with a cold recently, and in being sick, I become slightly unfocused...the bad news being that during school, I am so distracted by the most random things, it's just sad...the good news...My story occupies me...and so I present to you, the 3rd chapter! I would also like to thank my editor, Gracie for her help in finding my annoying typos:) Enjoy all!

A Shadow for an Audience

A few days had passed since I had overheard my parent's late night conversation and I only received one more clue as to what this grand secret was since that night. The majority of my days were spent practicing, assisting my mother with chores and then searching the house late at night and it was by accident that I came across an old weather-beaten chest of my father's one evening, hidden deep within their bedroom closet.

Inside it were many things, but my eyes were only drawn to one object and that was a bundle of old crumpled parchment. When I unraveled the bundle, I found that the parchment was composer's paper and on it were countless notes written in red ink. The title on the cover page read 'Don Juan Triumphant' and although it did not name the composer, I would have bet my life on the writing upon the page belonging to my father. I took the score with me and hid it beneath my mattress and allowed myself to forget about it and concentrate mainly on the auditions coming up.

Now, the auditions were upon me as I was awakened in the early morning by the soft cooing of a morning dove just outside my bedroom window. I got up, bathed and then dressed in my best practice uniform. I pulled on a looser fitting dress over it and went down to the kitchen, all the while my stomach tying itself in knots. As I reached the kitchen, I found that my mother had already prepared a fresh batch of croissants and tea. I scanned the kitchen and rooms surrounding it, for any sign of my father. He was no where to be found and I felt my heart plummet and my stomach lurch with nerves that only he could soothe.

"Mother?"

She turned towards me gracefully. "Yes, love?"

"Where is father?"

"Oh, my dear…" she gave me an apologetic look. "I am afraid that he had some…urgent…family business to take care of in the outskirts of town. He told me to tell you that he was so terribly sorry and that he will want a full report when he returns." She smiled meekly.

I allowed my anger to flare up slightly. "WHY? Why did he have to leave when I need him most? What kind of father does that? He knows how important this is to me! He has practiced with me since day one and NOW he places business over his own flesh and blood?

"Come now, Angelique…you cannot expect him to forget about the rest of our family and ONLY concentrate on you!"

"BUT I AM SCARED AND I NEED HIM! AND IS HE HERE? NO!" Tears began to form in my eyes and I angrily brushed them away.

I was surprised that when I met my mother's eyes, they were full of irritation instead of the sympathy I expected to find there. "YOU WILL NOT SPEAK OF YOUR FATHER IN SUCH A WAY, DO YOU HEAR ME YOUNG LADY! YOUR FATHER HAS ALWAYS PLACED THOSE HE LOVES OVER ANYTHING ELSE AND SO, YOU WILL EXCEPT THAT HE IS OFF DOING SOMETHING FOR OUR FAMILY AND GO TO YOUR AUDITION WITHOUT FEELING RESENTMENT TOWARDS HIM AT ALL!"

"Yes, Ma'am" I softly responded, allowing my anger to subside. I got up from the table and stalked off to go find Raoul who was to take me. I found him already in the carriage at our front door and I climbed in quickly, wanting to get away from the house as soon as humanly possible.

"Is everything alright?" He asked compassionately. I debated telling him for a moment, but the look in his eyes was sympathetic and that was what I wanted most; sympathy.

"Father is out for business instead of being with me at this audition…" I blurted out. I thought I saw a hint of malice behind Raoul's eyes, but if it was there, it quickly vanished.

"Ah, I see…Well…I don't know if it's any consolation, but I would be happy to be your audience at the audition. Both your father and I know Madame Giry and I expect that she will not object to me watching…"

I wanted to say no…say that as much as he tried, he could not be my father; but his eyes were pleading and hopeful, so regretfully I said yes to his offer.

"Good! I am confident that you will perform wonderfully, my d-…" He cleared his throat, "dear…"

"Thank you!"

The carriage arrived at The Opera Populaire a little too quickly for my agitated stomach, but none the less, it was time; so I got out of the carriage and trudged toward the building's doors. Once inside, I was ushered by a few overly eager stagehands towards where I was to be evaluated by their ballet mistress, Madame Giry. I soon found myself on stage, the bright lights blinding me. I was distracted by the lights all being on me and so I barely heard Madame Giry's thick French accent cut through my mind's rambling.

"Good day, Miss…" She said with a slight smile, although she was obviously already tired of trying out countless girls. To her right a group of women, who were obviously ballet dancers from past years, whispered together. The Orchestra was in it's pit down in front of the stage, but other than that the seats were empty. I noticing this came as some comfort to my buzzing head.

"Good day, Madame Giry…" I responded cheerfully.

She paused. "You have heard of me then?" Her voice was light with interest.

I silently cursed my big mouth. Damn. Careful Angelique…say something wrong and she will get the impression that you are a person who likes to be in on all the latest gossip. "Only from my father, who speaks of you with great respect, Madame…"

"I see," she said with a thoughtful scowl. "and who might your father be?"

A strong but joyful voice cut into our conversation. "Come now, Giry…Your business is not to interrogate the poor girl…" Raoul walked into the theatre gallantly.

"Monsieur Vicomte! It has been far too long!" Madame Giry dismissed herself politely and walked over to give Raoul a quick embrace. Her face was suddenly cheerful. "I must admit that it has been quite dull around here without visits from the Vicomtess and yourself…" A sort of mournful look crossed her features. "I am truly very sorry for your loss…No one knows better than I, everything you both went through to be together."

"Only you and one other has ever known that…" Raoul said with a glance at me. My nerves had cooled as intrigue took over. I had never heard Raoul speak of his wife before. I remained silent and moved little, as to not distract them.

"Ah, yes…him…," she looked down uncomfortably, "I heard he died. The poor man. I know you never liked him much, but I don't think he ever truly meant anyone harm…" She met his eyes again and Raoul nodded; a subtle encouraging gesture. "I did however hear some pleasant news on his behalf. It was said that he did find true love…before…he…before…well, before the accident," she said, getting somewhat choked up towards the end of that statement.

Raoul glanced at me nervously then looked back at Giry. "Yes, he found love…" He stole another glance in my direction before leaning in closer to Giry. Luckily, I inherited phenomenal hearing from my father and I heard Raoul's whispering voice say, "and still has it…"

She gasped. "He's still alive?" I saw a look of happiness in her already wet eyes.

"Yes, but I shall inform you of all the details later."

She nodded and turned back to me. "My apologies, My dear…You understand…it's been a long time since your father and I sp-"

"He is NOT my father!" I allowed all my anger to well up in my eyes and I flashed a fierce gaze in Raoul's direction. He seemed hurt by this, but I didn't care, he had dishonored my father far too much in my presence, and I would not allow him to continue doing so.

Raoul's eyes fled to the floor but Madame Giry met my glare head on. "I apologize once again, but you should show some respect towards your escort…after all, he did ta-"

"Madame Giry…although it may be true that I should at least show simple courtesy towards him, I cannot help but refuse to. As fond as I am of Raoul at times, he will never be my father no matter how much he tries to be, and if he truly loves my mother as much as he says he does, he should be happy that she is reunited with the love of her life, my father, instead of trying to steal her heart away from where it truly belongs!"

As soon as the words had escaped my mouth, I regretted them. Raoul looked as if he would die of the embarrassment, the rest of the ballet girls whispered urgently between each other and the orchestra were staring in utter disbelief. The only person who truly seemed unmoved by this show of disrespect towards a man of stature was Madame Giry, who was looking at me with an unnamed emotion, that I dared to call pride.

Sensing that this topic was dangerous grounds for all involved, Madame Giry decided to return everyone's attention back to my audition. "Alright my dear…let's get back to business. We are all eager to see your…passion…expressed through your dancing. But, I am afraid that I do need parent names for your file…"

"My parents are Gabrielle and Erik Muhlheim."

"Your father's name is Erik?"

"Yes, Ma'am…" I said proudly. Then doubt started to cloud my mind, "Is something the matter?"

I watched as Giry surveyed my dark chestnut hair and my bright blue eyes with the utmost interest. She looked at Raoul with disbelief and he nodded to whatever silent question she had asked. She turned back to me, her calm persona returning almost instantly. "No, my dear…nothing…Now, let's see you dance for us all!"

Taking the cue, the orchestra began playing as my body began the familiar sequence of complicated moves. I cannot explain how or why, but I could almost feel my father's loving eyes upon me as I danced. I no longer cared that I was dancing for a somewhat large crowd because he was the only audience member that was inside my mind. The anger and fury that I felt towards Raoul mixed with my love for my father impassioned me beyond belief, making my moves more remarkably executed. While preparing to twirl into a series of pirouettes, I allowed my eyes to lock onto Raoul's, daring him to pose as my father again in my presence.

I finished the dance with no flaws whatsoever and received a standing ovation from all that were watching, even the stage crew. I remained, where my performance had ended, resting on my knees, my head and arms gracefully arched skyward. I kept my eyes closed, allowing my success to sink in until I finally felt that I could open them and have it not be a dream. My head still tilted upward when I finally allowed them to open and they rested upon a dark figure in the flies above the stage. I blinked hard, attempting to make sure my eyes were not deceiving me. When I looked back to the rafters, I saw one more glimpse of the shadowed figure before he disappeared in an instant.

I got to my feet lazily, but try as I might, I couldn't feel a single move I was making. He had come and gone so quickly that it would be insane to swear it, but I would have sworn on my life that I had seen a pair of green-gold eyes locked upon my own, shining through a stark white mask. I only half heard Madame Giry telling me that my performance was glorious. When my senses finally returned to me, I looked at her radiant smile.

"Brava, my dear…you did wonderfully…I believe I speak for all who saw, when I say that we would be grateful to have someone of your talent and passion here at the Opera House…" I smiled broadly at her, although my mind was still upon the man in the rafters.

"You will definitely be called back to us…"

"Merci beaucoup, Madame…"

I curtsied, then made to leave, but Madame Giry called after me, "Do you sing, Mademoiselle?"

I turned and stared at her. "Well…yes, but not very well and most certainly not publicly…" I attempted lamely. I could feel everyone's admiring eyes upon me and it made me dreadfully uncomfortable. In truth, I could sing quite well, but I wanted to dance and I knew that if I sang for them, and they heard my voice, I wouldn't be allowed NOT to sing.

"Nonsense…No harm will come from you singing for us. And I promise on behalf of us all that, we will simply say thank you and send you on your way, if your voice is not to our liking." She told one of the women next to her to go and fetch the managers and their patron, if he was in the building.

"No, no…that's not necessary…I don't know what to sing…I…I cant…"

"Come now, there's no pressure in this…after all, you have already secured a place in our ballet corps, right ladies?" The girls around her all nodded vigorously, all marveling at my dancing and eager to hear my voice as well. I even heard some encouraging words coming from the orchestra and it's conductor.

"Madame, I am not sure about all this…"

"Well, I am…and I will not take no for an answer, young lady!" She smiled at me softly and I knew there was no way out of this. I thought for a minute that I might try to sing poorly, but even if I did that, I knew my voice would betray me, occasionally allowing a wondrous note to slip and they would then know that I was forging a poor singing voice. I was trapped like a rat with no where to go; a fox trapped by the hounds.

The ballerina girl returned with two older men, the managers, and one that could be no older than twenty, the patron. I looked helplessly at Raoul, but he stared at me insolently, obviously put out that I had offended him earlier.

Giry's voice broke into my inner terror. "So, what shall you sing, my dear?"

"I guess I will sing the first thing that comes to my mind…if that is all right with you all…"

"Anything is fine my dear!"

I nodded and moved to the center of the stage. The first thing that popped into my head was one of the pieces that was in the score that I had pilfered from my father's chest only days before. It's lyrics and beautiful melody had imprinted itself upon my mind as I had read it, so it was easy for me to remember now. I began to sing, strongly but with tenderness.

"You have brought me to that moment where words run dry,
To that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence...

I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining,
Defenseless and silent, and now I am here with you
No second thoughts, I've decided, decided...

Past the point of no return, no going back now
Our passion play has now, at last, begun
Past all thought of right or wrong, one final question
How long should we two wait, before we're one?
When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames, at last, consume us?

Past the point of no return, the final threshold
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return…"

My voice carried across the room with a delicious mix of quality and emotion. I could allow my mind to wander as the words flowed effortlessly from my mouth and I watched as they all were entranced by my voice. It was then that I knew I wouldn't dance ever again, and that I would be forever destined to be the lead soprano. I finished the section belonging to the female character and since there was no male to accompany me, a silence filled the room. I watched in awe as everyone's senses began to come back to them and logical thoughts returned to their heads.

One by one, as they all began to take in all that had happened, I saw some of their faces taking up a expression of complete terror. I was completely confused by this, my voice had never frightened anyone before. Suddenly, I felt a pair of hands, powerfully taking my arms from behind. I cried out in pain but no one would step forward to help me. The pain reduced me to nothing but a weak little girl and I fell to my knees. One of the manager's had his hands holding my arms with bruising force and his fingernails nearly piercing my flesh.

"WHO ARE YOU!"

"I am afraid that I don't understand." I nearly shrieked. I looked through the corner of my eyes into the audience, seeking out Raoul and Madame Giry. Raoul stared at me helplessly as Giry quickly stuffed a piece of paper into the pocket of one of her skirts, and began writing furiously on another. I was shook angrily once again as the manager yelled repeatedly into my ear. My head was buzzing with the shock of this situation and I struggled to keep my composure.

"Please! I beg you! I don't understand! You are hurting me! PLEASE!"

"I THINK YOU UNDERSTAND PERFECTLY!"

"No, please! Help! Someone! Please!" I looked up into the rafters and saw the shadowed figure pacing back and forth, as if searching for someway to help me but remain unnoticed. I looked towards Madame Giry and her gaze met mine. I then looked back up to the rafters and her eyes followed my example. I saw her grow worried and then she ran towards the stage.

"MONSIEUR FIRMIN! RELEASE HER! SHE OBVIOUSLY HAS NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!" Giry's voice was a welcome aid to me. I felt Firmin's hands release me and I fell backwards onto the stage floor. I curled up into a ball and cried softly, everything suddenly overwhelming me. Madame Giry kneeled next to my huddled form and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. She whispered softly into my ear. "Everything will be all right, but you must play along with whatever I say…please…for your life and your family's" She then stood upright and waltzed towards the managers condemningly. "What on EARTH did you think you were doing?"

"GIRY! Don't play games with me! You know as well as I, the significance of the song she sang! If you know something, Madame Giry, I suggest you say it now, and allow this girl to be condemned alone…for if you are an accomplice, I wi-"

"An accomplice to what? What are you accusing her of…she is genuinely ignorant! Does she not seem as innocent as can be? Monsieur, think about it! It has been over twenty years since the incident of which you speak…Angelique here cannot be any older than eighteen…She has no idea! Obviously she has somehow heard that same song…You, the manager of an OPERA HOUSE, should know as well as anyone that word spreads quickly…Please! Understand that this is an honest mistake!" She walked over to me and gently pulled me to my feet. I had already stopped crying by that point; I had never liked feeling weak or defeated and that was all that crying did.

"But her voice! You cannot honestly say that you did not feel as if it was…reminiscent of…his!"

"Like I said before…what you are suggesting is impossible…her father is none other than Monsieur Vicomte here…" she gestured toward Raoul. I was too petrified to care at that point and remembering Giry's words caused my mouth to remain idle.

"Now…after a performance like that, I suggest that, if you haven't scared her away from the Opera business for life, you tell her that she was phenomenal and you would like her to be a part of our production."

Both managers immediately began praising me and informed me that I was to be the lead Soprano. The both made such a fuss, that I almost wanted to leave the Opera business for good, anyway. It was then that the Patron came over to me. He offered me his arm and apologized for their actions, and admitted that he had no idea as to what that was all about. But it didn't matter, because I knew. The answer to all my questions resided with a shadowy figure in the darkness. Those thoughts continued to obsess my mind as the Opera's Patron walked me back to my carriage, all the while holding my hand with a firm politeness that was unnerving in it's own way.