Chapter 88
Chapter eighty-eight
Christianna
I’m not sure what is happening. Rehearsal has come to a screeching halt, and we’ve been told the owners are coming down.
Erik and Remy walk out on the stage above the orchestral pit. I look down. I can feel the gazes darting back and forth. Much like the flies on the nutria. Invasive, looking for a host, but instead of survival, they want gossip.
I draw my shoulders up. Fuck them. I hid once, and feared for years. Denial and shame killed my Angel.
I look up and meet Erik’s wild blue gaze. He is focused as he strides to the center just above us. We crane our necks to look at him.
Remy stands a bit behind him, expression neutral. Meg is wringing her hands from the side.
What is he going to do?
A hush falls as his gaze tracks over the players.
“Tianna, come up here. Bring your violin.”
Shit. I rise, hearing snickers that are quelled under his focus.
I exit the pit and make my way to the stage. While I do, he starts speaking to those below.
“You know I am one of the best composers alive.”
That’s my Erik. Nothing if not confident.
“What you do not know is that for my new composition, I have had assistance. In this case, I have only written lyrics. All music was done by someone else.”
Murmurs break out. He’s known for being a difficult perfectionist. In fact, articles have been written saying he could never co-write because he didn’t think enough of anyone else to work with them.
I step onto the stage, stopping just behind him.
He turns and moves to me, bends down, whispering which song I should play.
I nod slowly, lift my violin and let the sadness and rage take me.
After the intro, Erik starts singing.
Standing surrounded by people, yet no one will give me the time.
I’ve tried to speak for hours.
I feel dead inside.
Why does no one hear my story?
People speak of angels.
I have yet to see one.
I need truth in my story.
Maybe I will become one.
Instead of being the brunt of gossip
I can be an Angel instead
Move in shadows and darkness,
Ready and willing to defend.
So many people are tired.
Exhausted by whispers and lies.
Death a viable option.
They need hope instead.
I will stalk them for hours
None will be in vain.
The gossips are stealing stories
They will learn the pain
I as Angel will find them
Make them pay for their crimes
They need a toll for the ferry
I will take what is mine.
Angel of vengeance
This is my story
Heed me or not
It is your folly
Angel of vengeance
Is always watching
Never sleeping or resting
Challenge the Angel at your peril
You too shall fall victim
She is the Angel of vengeance
Watch for the Angel of vengeance
As the last note dies off, Erik glares down at the pit.
“If any of you could do better than this, or think you could work with me, stand now.”
No one moves. You can feel them holding their breath, hoping he won’t notice them.
“I thought not. If I hear of anyone harassing Tianna, you will be immediately fired, and I will make it known throughout that you are nothing but a sniveling coward. She earned her place with talent. She should never have been anything other than first chair.”
He turns and gives me a sharp nod before walking off.
A single clap sounds from below. It’s James. He is nodding and clapping, bowing his head to me.
I give him a tremulous smile. One by one, the others rise and clap.