For the next few nights Erik stayed away from the opera. He was certainly pleased that the little faery queen had prospered, but their worlds were far removed from one another. However, he still found it difficult to be indifferent to the girl. So much so In fact that he paid a local florist shop to deliver two long stem roses each night . . . anonymously. There was no need for romantic notes or calling cards; he was not a stage door Johnny and he certainly wasn't looking for any attachments. He had no intentions on ever seeing her again. He was no more than her benefactor making sure that she was happy, healthy and well taken care of. That may have been his intent, but a message from one of his informants requesting a meeting with him quickly changed his plans.
Perhaps he could have conducted his business with the informant elsewhere, but the opera house had one advantage, private boxes. As planned he arrived at the theater with plenty of time to spare and was taken toan out of the way box where no one would notice him or any companions he had, but the view of the stage was still good. At the appointed time and just shortly before the curtain rose, a tall, thin, older man with a pointed nose sat down in the chair next to him. Carefully he handed a parcel of paper over to the vampire then silently waited as he read through them.
The documents were a listing of debts that Emile Claudel had run up all over London. Over the years 'Le Coeur Noir' had been paying Emile's mother a comfortable pension after helping her to 'solve a problem'. He had also regularly deposited a fairly sizable amount of money into an account to cover any expenses necessary when he hired her to take in Aiden Cathal. Now he was seeing the results of his generosity. The vampire didn't care that the tenor ran through his own income as though it were water, but when his fingers reached into his dark pockets then it was an issue. Yes, Aidan had been cared for and given a good education and became very accomplished . . . she was worthy as a consort for a king, not Emile who would only bring her to ruin and misery.
Erik thanked the gentleman then handed him a rich payment for his work. For the moment he would do nothing and instead wait for the other 'eyes' he had hired to return with their information on the tenor. For the rest of act one the two men silently watched the performance then parted ways during the intermission. When the opera was over, the vampire quietly went back stage and found a place where he believed he could go unnoticed as he observed Emile and Aiden. Like the last time, the soprano's amethyst eyes instinctively found him, despite his efforts to hide. A hint of a smile appeared on her soft pink lips and a light blush appeared on her cheeks at the way his grey eyes looked her over.
"I believe you are staring at me sir, Does something displease you?" she asked, boldly walking up to him.
"Nothing I see displeases me, Miss," he answered. His soft whispered voice responded without a hint of shame.
"I saw you here the other night. You were standing on one of the cat walks and you dropped a rose at my feet. Why did you leave so quickly?" Before he could answer and attempt to explain himself, Emile stepped over and placed himself between the pair. With the tenor's interruption, Aiden's face dropped in embarrassment and annoyance. 'Le Coeur Noir' suspected this was not the first time Emile had tried to put on a display of dominance.
"Miss Cathal, would you introduce me to your new friend," Emile's strained politeness was obvious to Aiden as well as the vampire.
"I would hardly call him my friend, he is barely an acquaintance. In fact I haven't even learned his name."
"Erik . . . Erik Ambrose and I truly enjoyed your performance, Miss Cathal." He nodded to her politely, then turned to the man before him. "I believe you are Mr. Claudel the company's lead tenor. I am quite familiar with your performance as well." The vampire's words were polite, but his tone made it obvious that he was not impressed with the tenor's performance and abilities, The inference was not lost on Aidan, but Emile was oblivious to it and proudly puffed out his chest as though he had received great praise. Erik turned back to the young woman before him. "Forgive me, Miss Cathal, but I really must take my leave of you." He politely bowed his head to her then turned and left.
"What do you know about him?" Emile demanded as soon as they were alone.
"Nothing, how could I? You interrupted before I could barely speak to him."
"Did you notice his boots or the cut and detail of his clothes? He's obviously rich and I think it would be in our best interest to cultivate his acquaintance." Aidan said nothing, just looked at him in disgust and walked away. He never noticed her reaction, just continued to contemplate the possibilities of a wealthy connection.
Yes, Emile Claudel wanted nothing more than to rub elbows with anyone of the elite class and Erik Ambrose seemed a perfect opportunity. The vampire too was interested in the tenor, but his opinion of the arrogant blaggard was not a particularly flattering one. Over the next couple of days 'Le Coeur Noir' received another report and it was brought to him by gentlemen that clearly moved in far more seedy circles then the previous gentlemen had. This document was in regards to a particular woman named Julia Lowe that had once worked as a maid in the Claudel household. Her circumstances were far more wretched now.
Putting the document away the vampire retired to his bedroom for the day. It didn't take him long to fall asleep, but it was not the death-like slumber he was accustomed to. In the thousands of years he had existed, he could not recall dreaming, not even once. Now he found himself standing in the midst of stone ruins at the banks of a river. He knew this place. Studying the stones he could see that it was the remains of a temple and remembered the site as Necromanteion. People once came here to worship because it was the gateway to Hades and here you could speak with the dead. He had come here once in hopes of speaking with Athanasia, but it had been a wasted effort. As a vampire he could not partake in the ritual and in the end he had left disappointed.
Why was he there now and in the sun no less? Looking about he quickly found that this was not the only peculiarity. Everything around him was perfectly still. The air didn't move, no birds were singing, no leaves rustled and even the river Acheron seemed strangely silent despite its movement. The calm might have been maddening, but his attention was caught as a gentle voice spoke his real name, Erebos. Shocked to hear it, he whirled around to see who was there only to fall to his knees at the very sight. Standing in the doorway was Athanasia, his mortal wife. Her golden hair was pulled back from her face and decorated with bands of flowers. Her eyes were still the beautiful bright blue they had been in life and on her wrist was a gold bracelet with a garnet that had the symbol of life carved into it. He had saved up and got it for her after the birth of their son.
"I miss you Erebos."
"Athanasia . . ." he whispered.
