Page 37 of Bewitched By the Phantom
“So . . . Raoul,” he quirks, watching me carefully.
I raise my brow. “Don’t start.”
“He’s just not what I picture for you,” he muses.
“And you are?”
“Yes, actually,” he says with a chuckle. “We’re perfect for each other. Raoul is all wholesome worry and past yearnings. He isn’t really seeing you for who you are. And I’m not just saying that because I plan to win your heart.”
“The competition is for a record label, not for my heart,” I point out.
He shrugs. “I’m here for you and you alone, Angel.”
I blink. “You know . . . Raoul warned me you were dangerous.”
“Ah, so he does have some semblance of intelligence then,” he teases.
“He thinks you’re not exactly human,” I add. Erik stills. “Which is silly. There’s no such thing as anything else. You’rejust quirky.” When Erik doesn’t say anything, I narrow my eyes. “Right?”
“Raoul seems to think he knows everything,” he says instead.
I stand and stare him down. “Deny it.”
“Deny what?” he asks, straightening. Slowly, he stalks toward me.
“Deny that you’re not human,” I argue.
The smirk pulls at his lips. “Do I feel human to you, angel?”
I stiffen. “Monsters aren’t real.”
“And yet . . .” His eyes flash nearly black and I take a step back. “Raoul cares for you, angel. That much is clear. But I’m not going to be nice about my intentions. I’m here to win your heart. I’m here to love you for centuries. If you asked me to rip out my heart and present it into your hand, I would do so without hesitation.” He stops in front of me. “Would your Raoul do the same?”
I stare up at him with wide eyes. “You’re human.”
He bares his teeth. “Sing for me, angel. Go on.”
I shake my head and move around him. “I can’t do this.”
“If you run into the dark, I’ll find you, angel mine,” he murmurs. “I’ll always find you.”
Though it sounds like a threat, it also feels like a promise, like I’ll never be alone in the darkness again. And somehow, that’s more terrifying than the alternative.
I turn and leave him standing in that room, too afraid to face the truth, too overwhelmed.
Monsters don’t exist.
So then why did I just run from the monster in that room?
Chapter
Twenty
My nerves are shot. I’ve been avoiding both Erik and Raoul, hoping to forego any more awkward encounters. Between Raoul professing his love and claiming Erik is some sort of monster and Erik clearly enjoying playing into that, my mental capacity to deal with them has gone out the window. So, I’ve spent most of my time outside of rehearsals with Claudia or holed up in our apartment. It’s just easier that way.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
It’s the day of the second duet now, and I’d literally rather be doing anything else as we prepare to go on the stage. The cameras are all blinking green to let us know we’re live and here I am, my chest tight with apprehension. While our duet is with Cadaver Cantata, that doesn’t stop Raoul from standing in the wings watching me as I do my best to ignore his longing glances. When he straightens and strides over to me, I immediately turn away and slide on my headphones, hoping that he takes the hint.
