Chapter 7
I laugh, watching Kristina deny Raoul... she is just kind to him... and she remembers me... she says I am 'strict', however... I am not her owner.. I do want her to have her freedom... I sigh-it's all that boy's fault! I think of my letter-besides, why haven't the managers returned my letter? My temper runs short as I enter the room, where Kristina is about to leave.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion-basking in your glory! Ignorant fool-yet brave young suitor! Sharing in my triumph." Kristina turns her eyes to the mirror, "Angel, I hear you. speak, I listen! Stay by my side, guide me. Angel, my soul was weak... for give me and enter at last Maestro." I smile, "Flattering child... you shall know me and see why in shadow I hide... why I take you to my world only at dark. Look at your face in the mirror," I pause, "I am there-inside." Kristina breathes, "Angel of Music! Guide and guardian, grant to me your glory! Angel of music, hide no longer. Come, come, strange angel." I sing, "I am your Angel of Music, come to me-your Angel of Music." Outside, I can hear that boy-Raoul screaming, "Whose voice is that? Who is in there?" But I was certain to lock the door and besides... Kristina is completely transfixed. For a moment, the spell breaks as she hears him, "Raoul? Is that you?" But I draw her back, "I am your Angel of Music... Kristina, come... come to me-your Angel of Music." I press a button, allowing Kristina to open the mirror and come inside.
"Angel, oh Angel." she breaths. She takes my hand-and this time, I do not take it away. I lead her, helping her onto the horse. I gesture to her blue dress, "You are still wearing it?" She nods, looking back.
"Yes, Maestro... but, did I hear a voice before? Was it Raoul's?" she asks. I frown, "I do not know, child. Come, we will get on the boat, I say, as I let the horse into it's barn and click the button-allowing the boat with gold encrusted in it to come. I row, and we arrive at my lair. I guide her around the lair as I sing to her-a new piece, "Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon the defenses. Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender." I pause and see her turning back again, "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" she closes her eyes. I continue, "Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams. Purge all thoughts of the life you knew before. Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar And you'll live as you've never lived before. Softly, deftly music shall caress you. Hear it, feel it secretly possess you. Open up you mind let your fantasies unwind. In this darkness which you know you cannot fight. The darkness of the music of the night. 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. Only then can you belong to me."
I lead her to where I planned as I keep on singing, "Floating, folding, sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation, 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."
I carefully open the black curtains. There is a silver box and I continue to sing, "You alone can make my song take flight." She opens the box, carefully and inside it is a statue of her. She gasps as I finish the last piece of the song, and touches a small needle on the statue's lips, "Help me make the music of the night."
She faints into my arms-as I planned and I carry her to my black and red canopy bed. I draw the black curtains, giving her a small kiss on her cheek.