Dark Memories (The Phantom Diaries, #2) by Kailin Gow Page B

maintain a good relationship with him.”
    I fought to say a word, just one word that would tell Eric that Kristine had returned.
    “This is has nothing to do with your career.” The words were spat with such hatred, I cringed.
    “
Paris
is the heart of the opera, Eric.   Going there and seeing the Paris Opera House, seeing a true French opera is an experience I’ll never forget. I can’t simply let it go by.”
    “Why won’t you simply admit that it’s Aaron you want?” he bellowed. His fists were tight. While he’d warned me of his capacity for anger and violence, I’d never seen it brought about as it was now. “You’ve always said he was the one for you and only he could make you truly happy.”
    Kristine winced internally, but she kept a façade of shock and dismay. Had those words been meant for her or for me? Was he reliving his tumultuous time with her?  
    She glanced at the floor, solemn and thoughtful then raised her gaze to him. “I’m sorry, Eric. You’re right. I… I guess I just haven’t yet admitted to myself how much I truly care for Aaron.”
    No, Eric.   Don’t believe her.   Please, can't you see that she’s back?
    He stepped forward, his eyes black and his lips grim. His dark hair cascaded down his shoulders and framed his face in an eerie fashion, adding a demonic dimension to his wrath. With his eyes firmly locked on mine, he reached for my neck, as though possessed. Deliberately strong and forceful, he held me at arm’s length, his thumb playing over my throat.
    “That lovely voice,” he said to no one in particular. His eyes had glazed over and his lips had taken a peculiar turn. “What good has it brought me, that voice?   What good has come of any of the work I’ve done, for you, for me, for the world of opera?”
    His thumb began to squeeze into my throat and I tried to bring my hands up to reach for his wrist.  
    Breathing became impossible and the room became dim and small. Kristine did nothing to stop him.   She was passively allowing him to kill me, and she was enjoying it.
    Tears came to my eyes as I watched the murder in Eric’s every feature. He pushed me back until I hit the wall then put added pressure to my throat.
    “Eric,” I finally managed to croak out.   “Please, Eric.”
    Kristine quickly resumed control though I could feel her weakened power.
    Eric inhaled deeply, gave me a final thrust against the wall and released me.   I slumped to the floor and reached for the soreness of my neck.
    “You sicken me, Kristine.”   He stomped to the door.
    Kristine beamed victoriously as he glanced back. His eyes held her gaze and I saw a brief moment of recognition.
    Relieved, I stopped fighting Kristine a moment.  
    He knew.
     

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Eric
     
    I’ve been duped. Above all that I’d heard and seen between Annette and Aaron, this was what now angered me so. How could I have possibly suspected Annette of being as treacherous as only Kristine could be?
    Turning to the wall just outside Annette’s dressing room, I punched into the plaster with more anger and strength than intended, leaving an unsightly hole. My love of everything that was opera, even this New York version of the famed Paris Opera House, had me immediately regretting the gesture. Though deep inside, a part of me felt it was a direct strike at Aaron.   And that felt rather good.
    Would the power of the
Aragons
never cease to cause upheaval in my life? Was it not enough that Kristine had ruined me a hundred years ago with her liaison to Rupert Aragon?   Though I tried to figure out her motive for now pitting me up against Aaron, I could make no sense of it.
    Returning to the tunnels that would lead me home, my mind swirled with hundreds of questions; all unanswered. Every turn in the tunnels brought about a new theory, a fresh explanation and a feasible solution.
    But when I entered my home, my bedchamber, visions of Annette and Aaron returned with a vengeance. Aaron was smart,