All Chapters of Sweet Music of the Night: Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

Darkness, sweet and soothingI do not dread your call.Into sleep or into deathInto your arms, I'll fall.Within your hold, I feel no painAll the world will slumber deepBut I'll beware the lies that never ceaseAnd pray for dreams you can keep.Noelle awoke sometime later, finding himself lying on the chaise in one of the offices. The sun seeped through the high window, burning his eyes and highlighting the dust floating aimlessly in the air.He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the ache that split his head in two,"So, you've come around at last!"Noelle peered through his fingers to see the slender outline of the ballet mistress. She was a stern woman with sharp eyes that missed nothing and set in a face that looked like skin on a skull, her cheekbones stretching the lined skin to the maximum.The dancers held her in high regard, her career one of the finest in the theatre. But it was a respect marred with trepidation and awe. One with such a history was someone who didn't appr

"Will you be watching the performance?" Julian paused, the bow resting elegantly on the fragile strings, looking towards Noelle with his enigmatic smile. "Of course. I have many places where I sit and contemplate or watch the performances. The last great one, however, was the touring company from London. Their Aida was magnificent." Noelle stretched. His muscles became tense even with a short pause. There was a distinct chill in the air, and it bit into the flesh sharply. Even concentrating on the warm notes that evoked the heady air of Egypt didn't help. "I remember. I was an understudy for one of the dancers they used. I did perform in the matinee. Granted, it was not much, but it was an experience to see. They are returning in the Autumn with Rigoletto, but I don't think male dancers are required for that." "Possibly not. I seem to recall that one focuses more on male debauchery, so women would be the focal point," Julian's eyes lifted slowly. "Although, that is not always t

"Wine?"Julian pulled a bottle from near his bedding. It was an old-fashioned container, not the original. Taking it from the bar would be unthinkable, so he refilled a quarter when he could. It was tiny enough that it went unnoticed, and it was once in a blue moon. Julian rarely imbibed, fearing his skill on the violin and sobriety would be sapped. This rare indulgence surprised even himself, especially since his mother had always condemned drink.It was a hypocritical criticism. He'd seen the gin in her room, starkly contrasting her public disapproval."What kind is it?" Noelle asked and stepped closer. "I don't wish to be picky, but I find white somewhat bitter.""Claret. It's milder.""Very well."Julian poured with the skill of a footman, his hand steady and the bloody red fluid not even kissing the inner sides."Thank you," Noelle smiled when Julian handed him the glass, ignoring the slight crack etched like a spindly lightning bolt at the rim. "To your health and upcoming mag

Alexandre was a seasoned professional, but his nerves bored into his gut like heated needles. It was always the same on opening night. Visions of what could go wrong, last-minute hitches, and a plethora of irksome hiccups danced along with the music.'Think of it like a rehearsal,' he thought, stretching his leg elegantly as he peered into the darkness. 'An invisible audience. Perhaps audiences from the past that still enjoy the theatre." He smiled at the image. 'That would be what I would do, or scare those people I never liked.' Fear was strange; it was such a broad spectrum of emotions. Was it just brought on by mystery or the fear of what might lurk in the shadows? These were questions he sometimes asked when he was in a musing mood.But he hadn't any time to think about that. The conductor was moving on, and the heavy curtain began to lift to reveal the ancient sands of Egypt, golden and glorious with Godly splendour. But in the background, the shadows lurked, indicating a grim