Down into the darkness

III.

~ Just as a side note to my readers, when I talk about the organ playing while The Phantom is not there, it isn't remote controlled, he is a magician you see… *smiles evilly * Happy Reading!

Periodically he glanced behind him whilst her soft and feminine voice rang out, her touch intoxicating. Leading her by the hand down the brightly lit corridor, the candelabras blazing brightly, her face shifting from amazement to one of surprise as the candelabras moved by his command. Her voice, so soft, so pure, so much his.

"In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came, that voice that calls to me, and speaks my name" He continues to lead her, directing her around the traps he has so strategically placed. He could not help but continue to turn, he must see her face, her beautiful angelic face. As she continued to sing, his heart soared.

" And do I dream again, for now I find, the Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind"

Does she fear, no surely not. His troubled mind inquired as he gently led her, like leading a sleepy child, down the spiral staircase to his horse who was awaiting them

. Letting his voice ring out in the gloom, urging her to go on with his deep voice, luring her deeper into his thrall.

"Sing once again with me, our strange duet. My power over you grows stronger yet"

His voice oozes out, pouring into it his power of persuasion. He notices she glances behind, her curls slightly brushing his forearm, though he could not feel their softness, her scent rushed over him and he had to control his ardor at her mere presence down in his catacombs. Bringing her up next to the big black beast he had to take a steading breath before he grasped her gently around her tiny waist, his body almost jolting at such small contact with her.

Ignorant fool control yourself!

He hoists her onto the great beast and continues down the short way to the gondola, continuing his duet, his heart both strangely heavy and light…

"And though you turn from me, to glance behind, the Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind" The organ continued to belt out his song, his power flexing and controlling the keys at his will. Bringing the mighty black horse to a halt, he steadied himself and almost lost his composure as she slipped from the back of the horse into his arms.

The feeling of her soft feminine curves against him almost drove him mad. Quickly but not gruffly he set her down and took a step back, toward the gondola, his mind swimming, trying to restrain his deepest desires.

Stepping into the gondola he held out his hand, beckoning her to come to him, taking his hand once again, feeling that intense spark, he led her into the boat. His mind ablaze, he began the trek through the underground passageways.

Her voice rang, continuing their strange duet. Sitting at the bow of the boat, her soft curves just partially hidden by her wrapper, so innocent so…appealing. Quickly he looked away, his body and soul yearning for her, her birdsong ringing in the gloom.

" Those who have seen your face, draw back in fear. I am the mask you wear"

"Its me they hear"

Singing as one, Master and protégée, his heart felt full for once. Her beautiful voice mingling with his own. He continued rowing, their voices filling the caverns, Christine making him proud.

"My spirit and my voice in one combined, The Phantom of the Opera is there inside (your) my mind" Her voice so intoxicating, so life changing the Phantom sang with his sweet Ange… her voice continuing to ring out, filling the dank place with her light.

"He's there, the Phantom of the Opera"

Taking one large stroke, he propelled them faster toward his inner sanctuary, the organ louder now, his voice stronger as he reached closer to his lair.

" In all your fantasies, you always knew that man and mystery…"

Her high pitched soprano filling the caverns, just singing the high octaves he taught her. His soul relishing her talent taking flight. Urging the gondola to the maw of the sanctuary, the grate lifting slowly, as he uses more of his magic, candelabras lifting from deep below the surface, then lighting themselves as they passed, goading her on, almost begging her to go on.

"Sing my angel, Sing for me! Sing my Angel! Sing for ME!" His voice booming out as she climbed higher on the scale, her voice pure, his hard work paying off. As she sang, she glanced about his lair, her high pitch echoing off the walls. The whole scene lit by the multitude of candelabras lit around. The whole place lit softly by a thousand flames, just as he had willed.

Stepping from the boat, he glanced down at her as her voice faded, the organ falling silent.

Grasping the edge of his cloak he pulled it off, the fabric swirling about him, like black smoke.

Pacing up the staircase leading to his beloved organ, twisting around, his voice soothing her, as she watches from the boat, her eyes trained on him, in awe.

" I have, brought you to the seat of sweet music's throne. To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music, music…You have come here, for one purpose and one alone. Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing…for my music…my music.."

Staring down at her face, so artfully crafted, softly lit by the multitude of candles. Out of his mind, lost in the beauty of what he had done. Slowly he begins to move back toward the boat, prowling like a predatory cat towards her, his voice gentle, as not to frighten her.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination, silently the senses abandon their defenses. Helpless to resist the notes I write, for I compose the music of the night…" Holding out his hand he waits eagerly for his young Christine to grasp his hand, wanting to feel that rush, that tingling sensation once again.

Slowly she lithely rises, gripping his hand, allowing herself to be led gently, completely enthralled.

"Slowly, gently, night unfurls it's splendor…Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender", She had been glancing around, her bright eyes searching his lair, drinking in all he had created for her. Slowly he slips his hand to her jaw, turning her face to look at him. "Turn your face away from the garish light of day. Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light and listen to the music of the night."

Leading her past the miniatures of the stage, with her inside he felt a rush, one that he had never felt. Like a small excited child he turned from her and sprinted up the stairs to the organ, leaving her at the foot of the stairs. With his back to her he continues to sing, turning sharply to face her at the doorway beyond .

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams…Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before, close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar" He watched her do as he had asked, closing her eyes gently and just listening to his words, but slowly opening them again as he strode toward her again, a strange urgency invading his soul.

He felt as if he NEEDED to be close, to be able to reach out and touch her, " …and you'll live as you've never lived before"

Slowly she took ahold of his hand once more, as he lead her up the stairs. His voice soft and musical, loving, a soft almost silent whisper, "Softly, deftly, music shall caress you, hear it, feel it, secretly possess you."

Their faces inches from one another, his heart beating wildly, logic thrown out the window. Slowly he circles her, drawing her a different way. "Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind. In this darkness that you know you cannot fight. The darkness of the music of the night."

Gesturing outward she followed the lines of his hands, his face lit by soft light and shadows, slowly he moves behind a row of candelabras, back behind his organ and around again.

His voice steadily gaining volume as he poured his heart out to her. "Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world. Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before, let your soul take you where you long to be!"

Softening his tone, he strode forward, close as he dared get to her, her sent swirling about his head, all thoughts he once had gone..all caution thrown to the wind.

"Only then can you belong to me", slowly cupping her face with both hands, her wide doe eyes staring back at him. Softly he brushes his hands down her neck, to her shoulders, her arms." Floating, falling, sweet intoxication", The close proximity more than he had ever been to a female, never mind the only one he ever wished to be close to.

Moving gentle and slow like molasses he turns her, wrapping his arm about her midsection, smoothing his hands down her waist, to her hips. Her head rolling back, her complete trust his. Softly taking her hand he guides it to his cheek, the one not cursed by his disgusting deformity… " Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation"

Turning her around slowly still grasping her hand, staring into her eyes, singing from the deepest part of his heart. Leading her as he sang, his heart leading instead of logic. "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."

Not rushing her he led her around the organ, to the slight bend in the rock, where his most prized creation was awaiting his dear Christine.

Turning her face behind to glance at him, her beautiful lips upturned in a smile, he returned the glowing gesture, softly sweeping the curtain away from the doorway so she could see his gift.

Upon seeing the replica of her, clad in his ideal wedding gown, she fainted. He quickly gathered her into his arms before she could fall. Puzzled he gently scooped her into his arms, bearing her tiny frame with ease, Striding up the stairs he placed her securely within his bed, the silk enveloping her, a strange flutter battering his body.

It all seemed like so much, so soon that his dream would become reality, that Christine would finally be his and his alone. Stooping down he caressed her face, awed by her beauty even as she slept. "You alone can make my song take flight. Help me make the music of the night."

Sliding upright he slowly exited the room, tugging the cord that dropped the lace curtain, watching her prone form, so gentle, so..angelic. Her innocence astounded him, and enticed his soul.

In an instant everything had changed, and all seemed right with the world…The Phantom will finally have his Angel.

Was this wise? His battered mind prodded.

Turning he banished the thought, striding to his organ he thought quietly to himself…losing himself in his music. Feeling lighter than he ever had, knowing his darling Christine slept just mere feet from him. But something inside nagged, a feeling that only festered.

Will she run, will she scream when she awoke when his power dissipated? Would she run in terror if she ever saw his face?

Shaking his head as if to jar the thoughts loose he continued to play, the organ belting out soft tones under his agile fingers.

One shall only know once it comes to pass…and come it shall.