The Phantom Ascending |✔| [Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction]

Another Lair

As we progressed through dark canals and passageways, I was reminded of the first time the Phantom of the Opera whisked me away - the surreal, hypnotic trip from my Paris dressing room to his underground kingdom of music.

Was that the start of all this, or did it begin even sooner? Perhaps my fate was sealed the first time I accepted his guidance, the first time I was comforted by his voice.

"Sing for me," I pleaded quietly.

He looked me in the eyes intensely, and I could see a touch of pride enter his expression.

A silent night
will guard your dreams
I'll keep you safe
by any means

So if you yearn
for lullabies
Lean on my voice
and close your eyes

His song was a balm for my soul, but I was reluctant to sleep, and just stared drowsily at the water below until it was time to leave the gondola and walk on.

"Be warned, my current home is far from warm and comfortable," he said.

"Doesn't matter. Anything will do."

We moved through the intricate labyrinth of chambers and corridors that seemed to be a part of some old, secret network, just like the one that reached my home. Finally, we arrived to a set of two interconnected small rooms, cold and rather barren, but at least dry. He lit several candles, and they livened up the place with their warm glow.

It was obvious from his manner that he was not as proud of this place as he was of his old home. Still, it had a bed, a table, two chests of possessions and a fair amount of preserved food.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I murmured.

"I also use some other parts of the palace above, but they are not always safe. They might be now, though. I can take you to wash yourself, but it will be cold."

"No need." I was dirty, but too exhausted to care. I used the water from the jug to wash my hands, and sat on the bed, still huddled in his cape.

He brought another cape from the next room, and I realized he must be freezing as well.

"Christine, speak, what can I do? Can you tell me what happened? Were you harmed?"

He knelt before me, moving his hands as if to touch me, but withdrawing them at the last moment. His breathing was heavy with suppressed emotion. I imagined him as a roaring lion, waiting to be unleashed upon my enemies.

"Don't scare me this much. Say something," he whispered.

His kind tone undid me and I finally began to cry. As my tears flowed, I could feel the tension in me easing up, and when my sobs ceased, I told him what had happened.

"...I nearly died... The music, the noose... And I thought it was you, but he appeared... And everything was locked..."

I then answered to his questions, and by the time I was done, he looked like rage embodied, restless, pacing, holding himself in check only just enough not to smash the room to pieces.

"Please calm down," I dared to say.

"I should've been there! I would be, but I couldn't enter, and returned to fetch the tools... No matter! I should have seen through this sooner! Should have been more careful!"

"Please, stop! You frighten me when you are like that."

He actually did stop then, and approached me, somewhat calmer.

"I must return and take care of him."

"No, don't leave me alone here. Please."

"I can take you to La Fenice, but I don't trust you to be safe anywhere else."