The Phantom


Notes

I used one of the songs from Phantom of the Opera.


In sleep he sang to me...

Firia swore she could hear a voice in the dark. She clutched her bedsheets to her and drew them up to her chin, momentarily frightened. Someone was in her house. Someone strange, yet vaguely familiar.

In dreams he came...

This voice...she'd dreamt of it before, hadn't she? Calling out from the dark like that. Firia clutched her sheets tighter around her and drew in a sharp breath as the voice spoke again, soft and velvety.

That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name...

The stranger was beckoning to her from the shadows. "Firia...Firia..." his voice whispered, in familiar tones that jogged a faint memory in the back of her mind. Was it him? She sat up in bed and peered out into the darkness, trying to discern a shape, a light, anything that might give her a clue. Alas, her vision failed her and she could see nothing. Yet he still called to her, asking her to follow him.

Xelloss waited in the dark of the night for her to respond to his calls. Would she answer? Would she come after him? He reached out to her through his powers, mentally summoning her. He knew she felt for him, but would she be brave enough to act upon those feelings? He called again.

And do I dream again?
For now I find...

Should she go? He wanted her to follow. Her heart urged her to get up, but her mind refused, befuddling her with reason and logic. It could never work. They were supposed to be enemies. They were complete opposites. No society would ever accept them as a pair. And yet, her heart still yearned for her to go after him. It was as if he was pulling at the strings of her heart, enticing her and controlling her. Firia felt as if she couldn't escape him. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet recoiling from the coldness of the floorboards, and stood, still searching for some proof that he was actually there. She heard his voice again, this time further away from her. She was compelled to follow.

He heard her slide out of bed, her light footsteps just barely audible. Xelloss drew in a sharp breath; she was at least considering giving in to him. It had begun.

The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind.

Firia perceived a flicker of movement, a phantom shape in the night. As quickly as it was there, it was gone. And his voice was calling her again. How could he have such power over her heart? Her mind screamed logic, but these vain attempts to turn her back failed miserably. His voice was inside her head, overriding her mind's functions.

Xelloss continued to call to her as she followed him. Yeah, he was trying to seduce her. But she already loved him anyway, so it was okay. He hoped she'd forgive him for this later on. Xelloss allowed her a brief glance at his thoughts, sending yet another message of seduction and enticement.

In all your fantasies
You always knew
That man and mystery...

"Were both in you," she whispered to herself as she followed his voice through the house, out the back door. She'd completely thrown logic to the wind; she couldn't have stopped even if she wanted to. Even if she wanted...what did she want? She wanted him. Yes, that's why she followed.

He wanted her. He wanted to touch her, to hear her beautiful voice and hold her tightly. Forever. He felt exhilarated; she was actually following him! She responded to his calls! An overwhelming sense of desire filled him and he called her again. "Firia..."

And in this labyrinth
Where night is blind...

He was speaking her name again. What was he saying? "I'm here," he seemed to be telling her, telling her without actually speaking aloud. He was...he was...

He was inside her mind.

The Phantom of the Opera is here
Inside your mind.

Yes. He was there. She could see his outline in the moonlight, standing upon a thick oak branch. An oak tree? They were in the woods now. A breeze was rustling through the leaves, making his cape's silhouette flap in the wind. She was close now, her heart pounding in her chest. She could almost hear him breathing. He opened his mouth and spoke to her again...

Xelloss could smell the woodsy scents of leaves, trees, and grass...the dragon maiden's own alluring scent mixed in among them. Dragon...that's what she was. He didn't mind, he found the Ryuuzoku amusing. Especially this particular one. But would she mind? Would she care that her lover was part of the Mazoku race? Perhaps. If she did, would she have answered his calls? Most likely not. But he wanted proof, proof that she came to him of her own accord...

Sing, my angel. Music!
(He's there...the Phantom of the Opera...)
Yes, sing for me!

She lifted up her voice to let him know she was there, to let him know she came willingly to him. He seemed to smile, though she could not see him. Only his amethyst eyes were visible in the darkness. Firia stared at those glowing, inhuman eyes, her heart thumping repeatedly. She was both scared and excited at the same time. He was like a wild animal. A predator. And she was the prey.

He sighed with relief as she called back to him; she did want him. This venture was going very, very well. But now, to make the first move.

Yes, SING!
Sing, my angel, sing!

He disappeared from his place in the tree and Firia squinted into the night, unable to see any sign of him. Where had he gone? She could still hear his voice in her head, whispering her name over and over again. Firia felt a pair of strong arms suddenly wrap around her from behind. Her heart caught in her throat. She could feel his hot breath upon her exposed neck, his hands tightening around her waist. Firia felt a sudden fear overtake her, her mind forcing its logic again. This would be the perfect opportunity for him to kill her. She was completely vulnerable.

He hugged the Ryuuzoku to him... his Ryuuzoku. Xelloss felt her body stiffen at his touch; she was on edge and afraid. She had nothing to fear from him. He would not harm her, never.

Yes...yes, sing...
SING!

He turned her around to face him, his slit-pupiled eyes boring holes into hers. She still could not see much of him, though he was so close that their noses almost touched. Her breath quickened as she saw the predatory look in his eyes; was he going to kill her? His hands traveled up her back, feeling her through her thin nightgown, pulling her closer to him. Her eyes widened as she realized that his predatorial behavior didn't include killing at that moment, no, he was going for something else. She spoke. "Xelloss, we can't..." He silenced her with a kiss.

His angel struggled against him...why did she struggle? She desired him, did she not? Her mind was cluttered with thoughts of society, and future and past. She was not accustomed to living in the present, was she. He would convince her not to resist, yes. Not to worry about what people would think, not to worry about the troubles that might come with such a relationship. He would make everything work out. Xelloss felt her resistance faltering and smiled inwardly, looking upon her with an odd combination of love, lust, and possessiveness.

SING!

Firia's mind began to get a little muzzy as his kisses traced everywhere, his lips brushing against her cheek, her neck, her shoulders... He gently pushed her down into the soft grass, pressing his muscular body against hers. Firia's brain clamored for one last bit of logic, one shred of reason. "Xelloss," she protested as he unbuttoned her nightgown with his able hands. "What about Val?"

"Don't worry about Val," he murmured, unclasping his cloak and tossing it aside before bending over to reclaim her lips once more. "We'll take care of him together," he reassured her, putting her worries to rest, among other things.

Sing for me!


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