Slaying the Silence

Chapter Six

The Silent Phantom put the pistol away in a holster by his side and moved the dagger closer to Aria's throat, dangerously near her skin. "A parley, Monsieur le Marquis. I have much to discuss with you."

"I do not bargain with vagrants," the marquis growled.

Tightening his lips, the Silent Phantom gently pushed Aria away from him, keeping a firm hold on her forearm. "Look at your daughter, Monsieur. You nearly lost her tonight, and I know who is responsible for this deed." He took a deep breath and eased the dagger away from her throat. "I wish to protect her from those men."

"You lie like the devil you are. I know you are responsible," Aria's father snarled, placing a hand on his sword-hilt. The Phantom moved the dagger again to her throat, making him freeze in place. "What do you want?"

"Immunity," the Phantom replied. He pulled Aria to himself, setting the blade to her neck again. "I know you do not believe me, Monsieur. I do not expect you to. Yet your daughter is under a much graver risk than you imagine."

The marquis opened his mouth to speak, but the Phantom interrupted him. "Undoubtedly, you would seek a guard to protect her. I know who it is that attempted to kill her, and they will not be daunted by a single man, whomever you might find.

"I am expendable," the man continued. "Obviously, you would not wish for me to continue on with my lifestyle." He laughed under his breath. "All of France would soon be mine, if you let me be. Yet your desire for your daughter's safety is more urgent than your wish to destroy me."

The marquis interrupted him. "I have no reason to trust you."

"Naturally." The Silent Phantom went on. "Still you must believe me. Allow me to guard your daughter. It will not matter if I am killed, and she will be safe with me watching her."

For a moment, the marquis's resolve weakened. But then he caught sight of Aria. Her head was raised stoutly, and she refused to cry out. But her eyes were wide as she stared up at her captor. Her whole body quivered, threatening to fall to the floor at any moment. The marquis firmed his chin and glared at the Silent Phantom. "Do not think me a fool. I am not so easily beguiled as to give my daughter into the hands of the man who almost killed her."

"Then, if you will not listen to reason, I must employ... other methods of persuasion."

He pressed the dagger sharply against Aria's throat, causing a trickle of blood to break out. She gasped, and her hands flew up to her neck. "Your daughter in exchange for my own protection. I will guard her with my life." His lips curled upwards in a barely perceptible smile. "A good bargain, Monsieur le Marquis. I suggest you take it."

The marquis continued to glare at the man. "A nonsensical one. I do not believe a word of your tale." Yet he could not tear his eyes away from the blood that had begun to trace its way down the curve of Aria's neck.

"What you believe is nothing to me." The thief's eyes narrowed into cold, hard slits from behind his mask. "But when your denial results in her death, as it will, and you stand helpless beside her lifeless corpse, you will hear my voice in your head and you will know her blood is upon your hands.

"Is that something you are willing to chance?"

Slowly the marquis moved his hand away from the hilt of his sword. "Very well."

Wiping the drops of blood on his trousers and sheathing the blade, the Silent Phantom released Aria. Before she could run to her father, however, he whispered in her ear, careful to make sure only she could hear. "Believe me, Mademoiselle, when I say that this is for your benefit.  It is not my wish to harm you."