The Phantom's Daughter

Chapter Twelve

The child didn’t betray me…..

And I was going to find out why.

I grabbed her and pulled her in, but I had mistaken her size, for she swung a violent kick too close to my crotch area. I hissed and let her go.

“You’re as small as a mouse, yet strike like a viper!”

“What do you want??? I didn’t betray you!” she growled.

“I want to know why you didn’t. You knew where to find the door.”

“Stupid! I have no loyalties to them! Why would I grovel? All I care about is my horse. Now release me!”

I stood tall and straight, towering over her, but she didn’t budge and stared up at me with challenging eyes. Taking in a deep breath, I bowed my head. “I thank you, little mademoiselle.”

“I am not nameless, you know.”

“You are until you share it with me.”

She stared at me with cold eyes. “Rita.”

“Well then Rita,” I reached over to her (she jerked away as if she was expecting to be hit) and opened the door. “I thank you for your loyalty. Your horse is lucky to have you as a mistress.”

She looked at me like she was ready to kick again, but left.

I let out a frustrated groan, scurrying back into the passage again to spy on the cast on stage and growled when I saw that young man again—the Vicomte de Chaney. I overheard Christine telling Meg his name was Raoul, from the house by the sea. They had been childhood sweethearts. So that explains his tears last night!

The way he smiled at her, I wanted to kill him. That little orphan girl slowed down my plans on bringing Christine down to me and revealing myself to her. I would have to have a stern talking to her about where her loyalties stand. As a faithful Catholic, she would need to be reminded that this gift from heaven will only continue if she remains totally faithful to her angel of music and did not give in to the sins and desires offered by the world.

Yes, that was perfect. Make it like God commanded it. It would be simple enough. I will speak with her tonight, and start making plans for the upcoming production “Ill Muto”.

But now, curiosity got the better of me, and I snuck off to go spy on Rita.