A/N: Lyrics for this chapter are from Cradle of Filth's "The Forest Whispers My Name," "The Rape and Ruin of Angels (Hosannas in Extremis)" and Evanescence's "Away From Me." Apologies for this being such a short chapter...the next shall be much longer!

As always, much thanks goes to my incredible beta and friend, Erik (Musique Et Amour).

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"Christine...?"

Stirring from the trance, Christine looked around her tiny dressing room. Completely dark except for the light of a single candle, the room was bathed in an eerie orange glow; she slowly stood and walked over to the source of light, not knowing what to think.

Black candles dance to an overture...

She could not remember lighting it, but then she really could not remember anything past entering the room.

"Christine...are you in there?"

She glanced at the door, not entirely out of her twilight. Again, she looked down at the candle and saw a single rose sitting beside it.

But I am drawn past their flickering lure...

A yellow rose. Her favorite.

Brushing the hair out of her face, Christine picked up the rose and inhaled its sweet perfume; the light scent of memories and lost dreams came flooding back to her, as if they had happened the days prior. Almost by instinct, her fingers began to play with the necklace that encircled her alabaster throat.

Remember with pride what thou art, lest we forget in awe of our terrible past...

How could she forget? That was one thing, she was certain, that would never leave her, no matter what she did or where she went...it would chase her forever.

"I don't think she's in there, Tony...she would've answered by now," a voice said outside the door. "I guess we should try calling her cell."

I hold my breath as this life starts to take its toll...

"She hardly ever has it with her, man," a second voice replied. "This just ain't like her."

Christine walked to the door and opened it, only to see Tony and Steve standing there, with worried looks furrowing their brows. Naturally, their gazes traveled past the confused singer to the room, and the sole light source - the candle on the table. There was something about it that had Tony brushing past Christine, and walking over to the candle to bend down and get a better look. The candle was not like anything he had ever seen before. Made of black wax, it had a seal of some sort, a red oval emblem, attached to one side, bearing the letters "AoM" in black. He held it up at eye level and studied it closely, wondering what AoM could possibly mean.

I hide behind a smile as this perfect plan unfolds...

"Christine, what is this?"

Her eyes shimmered with tears. "I...I...don't know."

Steve appeared at her side. "Are you okay, Chris?"

But oh, God, I feel I've been lied to...

Her face crumbled and tears began flowing down her cheeks; Steve and Tony exchanged worried looks, as she sobbed on Steve's shoulder.

"Chris...hey, sweetheart...hey," Steve pulled some tissues out of his pocket and wiped her tears away. "What's wrong?" She simply looked at the rose clutched in her hand, as if it were the answer.

Lost all faith in the things I have achieved...

Not understanding what she meant, Tony looked skeptically at her. "The rose made you upset...?" Over her head, he made a face at Steve, obviously not believing what he had just said.

Lost in a dying world I reach for something more...

Pulling away from Steve, Christine walked to the other side of the room. "I don't expect you to understand, Tony. I know you think I'm crazy," she paused, a note of exhaustion creeping into her voice. "I'm not blind, you know." At her vanity table, she picked up a clip and wound her hair atop her head, fastening it with precision. "And as far as the show is concerned, you can tell Erik and the others that I'm not singing."

I have grown so weary of this lie I live...

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A knock sounded at Erik's door, awakening him from his spot on the floor; realizing that someone was there, he pulled his sleeves down to hide the red marks on his arm. He reached up and felt of his face, as if to reassure himself that the mask was still in place.

He opened the door, only to see Steve and Tony standing there, distress painted all over their faces. Erik's dark eyes took this in, looking back and forth from one to the other.

"What's wrong?" Almost immediately, he knew what they were going to say, even before the words had left his mouth.

"It's Chris, Erik," Steve replied, "...she's...she's..." He stopped abruptly, not able to form the words.

His eyes flickered. "She's what? She hurt? What?"

Tony sighed. "She's not doing the show. Said she wasn't going to sing."

Trying to control his surprise, Erik coolly regarded them. "She's not gonna sing." He crossed his arms, leaning against the door, waiting to hear the answer.

"No, Erik...she seemed totally adamant against it."

Tony and Steve watched as his eyes closed and strong jaw set in place; they knew what was coming next...they had seen it only once before and even then, it would make the strongest man cower. Erik turned and walked back into the room, a hand running through his hair in frustration.

"Just...just..." He tried to speak, to control his anger. "Get the guys t'gether and go...go practice somethin'. I'll go take care of the probl'm." He closed the door without waiting for their reply.