Page 41 of Angel's Mask

“You only say that because I’m your only friend,” Julianne laughed. “But I accept. Louise, I think this one will need some chorus fittings soon.”

“I guess so,” Louise muttered. She was trying to look dubious, Christine could tell, but there was pride and happiness in the matron’s eyes too.

“And for Siébel too, at least, the understudy costumes,” Christine added, and Julianne’s mouth fell agape.

“How onearth?” Julianne demanded.

Christine gave a small, mischievous shrug. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.

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Erik had meant to dosomething more with his day than just watch his protégé, but somehow, once again he found himself entranced by her. He told himself it was his duty, as her teacher and protector, to make sure her first rehearsal went well, which it did. Christine managed admirably among the principals, though Erik bristled with jealousy when she was introduced to Robert Rameau and the rakish bass pressed a kiss to her hand. If Erik had not known the kind of company Rameau preferred to keep in private, the man would have been in great danger.

There was no danger for Christine though, as Carlotta did not even bother to attend the rehearsal, much to the relief of all. When Gabriel and Mercier brought things to a close without having rehearsed some of the most complicated ensembles, the singers grumbled but endured it. They all knew that no rehearsal at all was be better than a session with the great diva.

Erik’s pulse quickened as Christine gathered her things. Soon he would have her to himself again. Soon he could speak to her and sing to her and...

“Are you done for the day, oh great prima donna?” Erik recognized Julianne Bonet’s voice, and from his hiding place, he saw Christine smile towards the door.

“I am. What are you doing here?” Christine asked with a bright smile. “Do you miss me already?”

“Of course, we also need to celebrate,” Julianne replied. “Come on, I borrowed a few things from the kitchen, let’s find somewhere to enjoy them.”

Christine made a faint protest that Erik couldn’t hear as Julianne pulled her away. His sudden solitude left him cold. It struck him, painfully, how alone he was. How separate he was from the real world, where anyone could take Christine’s hand and smile at her in the light.

He took his time finding them, the reminder weighing heavy on his mind as he walked the halls, haunting the shadows. He often told himself that he had chosen this life, this role as a phantom. But just like his face, it too was a prison, even if he had built it himself.

He heard their laughter before he found them, coming from a storeroom; the exact one where Christine had stayed the night when he had first seen her kindness and her strength. He leaned on the wall beside the door, straining to listen. He could only see a glimpse of them, enough to know Julianne’s bounty included a bottle of wine passed between them, and a few cakes from the Opera kitchen, the kind they made for patrons to enjoy between acts.

“So, all this time you’ve been practicing your singing?” Julianne was saying through a mouthful as Christine took another sip. “And Gabriel just happened to hear you?”

“Something like that,” Christine muttered. Through the half-open door and in the dark, Erik could see her cheeks were rosy from the wine and her eyes were sparkling and bright.

“Hehad something to do with it, didn’t he?” Julianne demanded and Christine choked. Erik tensed.

“I have no idea who you’re referring to,” Christine replied, faux-offended. Julianne must have made a face Erik could not see, because Christine laughed. “Enough about me. How are you?”

“How amI?” Julianne laughed. “I’ve had no such adventures.”

“What about Jammes? Have you spoken to her?”

He heard Julianne sigh deeply, and Erik saw Christine frown in compassion. No then. “I wonder if she’ll ever speak to me again,” Julianne said.

“Do you love her?” There was no fear or judgment in Christine’s words. Erik hadn’t expected the question and wondered himself at the answer.

“What is love anyway?” Julianne replied, voice sad and resigned. “How would I know if I did?”

“You just know,” Christine replied and something nervous stirred in Erik. She sounded as if she was speaking from experience.

“Have you been in love?” Julianne asked in disbelief. Christine took a deep swig from the wine bottle and Julianne laughed. “You have! When? How?!”

Something like terror overtook Erik, turning his blood to needles. Was she talking about...him? That was impossible. Wasn’t it? She couldn’t...

“It was a long time ago, I was just a girl,” Christine answered sheepishly, and something grim and hurt immediately replaced Erik’s fear. Of course, she didn’t meanhim. She didn’t even know him.

“I’ll need more than that,” Julianne was saying. Erik hated her for asking but he too needed the answer.

“When I was young, my father and I traveled constantly, but there was a village in Britany – Perros-Guirec – where we’d return every summer. It’s beautiful. There’s a lighthouse that looks out over the rocks and the sea. And there was a rich family, noble, who had a summer home there.”

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