Raoul emerges from the shadows. His dress shirt is askew, half-unbuttoned, and his sleeves are rolled up to the elbows. His fists are clenched so tightly, the sinews of his forearms stand out rigidly. Behind his dark-framed glasses, his eyes burn bright green. They’re almost…glowing. Must be a trick of the weird subterranean light in this place.
“I’m hurt, honestly,” continues Raoul. “I thought you and I were becoming friends, Angel.”
“Onlyshegets to call me that,” the Angel replies tightly. “Howdid you find your way down here?”
“You keep your secrets, and I’ll keep mine,” Raoul says. “But she is leaving with me. Come, Christine.”
He beckons to me, almost imperiously. Something about the gesture rubs me the wrong way. I don’t like the Angel telling me I can’t leave, and I don’t appreciate Raoul coming to fetch me home like I’m a runaway dog.
I take a step back from Raoul, crossing my arms.
“See there,” purrs the Angel. “She wants to stay with me.”
“Not true,” I snap.
He reaches out and draws me closer, his golden eyes glittering behind the mask. “I need you with me, beside me, and you need me just as deeply. Think of the music we’ll make, my darling. The piece I created tonight—it was entirely inspired by you. I have never crafted anything so beautiful. Imagine the loveliness we could create—my compositions and your voice. Music to make the gods weep, Christine.”
I shouldn’t be relenting. I should struggle against his hold, maybe yell something about free will and shit…but when I’m this close to him, I have trouble thinking clearly. I can feel the heat and strength of his body. I can smell the addictive spice of his powerful blood. I remember the music he played for me, how it transcended everything I’ve ever heard.
“I’ll stay,” I whisper.
The Angel cups my chin with his gloved hand. He seems about to kiss me, but Raoul makes a sound of distressed frustration, and the Angel’s attention snaps back to him.
“You’ve got her under some kind of spell.” Raoul’s voice falters as the Angel turns from me and prowls toward him.
Raoul takes a couple steps back. Whatever courage hesummoned to come after me seems to have faded. He looks suddenly very young and vulnerable compared to the broad, menacing form of the Angel.
“I told you she’s mine,” the Angel says. “I want her, and I will keep her.”
“You—you can’t take people just because you want them,” says Raoul.
The Angel tilts his head. “Can’t I, though?”
“No,” Raoul says more firmly.
“You’re a pestilent creature, aren’t you?” The Angel’s voice lowers to a sinister, menacing purr, and his hand curls around Raoul’s throat. “Pretty, yes…but irritating. You say I can’t take what I want? What if I decide I wantyou, little poet? What then?”
He tightens his grip slightly, and Raoul gags.
I dash forward, clutching the Angel’s arm. “Please let him go.”
“He wants to destroy us, Christine. Don’t deny it. I heard the two of you talking. He said he would call the police.”
“He won’t. He’s just scared. He’s confused—I’mconfused. Let’s all calm down and take some time. We can figure this out. Raoul won’t tell anyone about you.”
“The fuck I won’t,” Raoul wheezes.
I roll my eyes, exasperated. “Really? I’m trying to help you.”
“I think you’re right, Christine,” says the Angel with a cold smile. “I think what we all need is a little time to calm down. You stay here, and I’ll take Raoul somewhere he can think about his choices. Don’t worry, he’ll be perfectly fine.”
“I’m not staying here,” I protest, but the Angel is already striding away, dragging Raoul with him. As I move to follow them, a wall of mist rises between us, a moist cloud blinding my eyes and clogging my lungs. I cough, struggling through it, but I can’t see a thing, andI’m nervous about falling into the canal. I have no idea how deep it is, and I can’t swim. I may be a vampire, but I’m not sure that renders me immune to drowning.
I forge ahead slowly, step by step, calling out for the Angel and for Raoul. Neither of them reply.
My foot slides off the edge of something, and I vent a little scream, expecting to pitch headlong into black water, but it’s only a ridge or a step of some kind. My ankle bends sideways with a loudpop.
“Shit!” I exclaim, hobbling forward despite the searing pain. My ankle will heal quickly, but the injury is robbing me of precious minutes.
