last thing she heard was hybrid's last few notes in his song.

   "Help me make the music of the night…" The hybrid slowly lifted a paw up the sky, his voice somewhere off in the distance, and it faded away, much like the music that had encompassed them both.

Chapter 11

   "What?" Steele asked, completely stunned by what he just heard. "Are you serious?"

   Jenna nodded, "It's true, Steele. Balto is the real Opera Ghost. I didn't believe it at first, but it's true."

   "And he lead you down to his lair? Why would you do something like that?"

   Jenna looked away, "I don't know, I...I felt like I was in some kind of trance...his voice was so beautiful, it was so divine, I thought I would burst when he first started to sing...it seemed to fill me with a sweet, strange sound, and I felt like I was filled with all of the majesty that only an Angel could bring."

   "Well, what happened after that?" Steele asked, somewhat eager to hear more. Jenna immediately continued.

   Jenna awoke, her eyes somewhat dreary from what seemed like an eternal slumber. She found that she was no longer in the velvet red bed that was in the underground lair, instead she was back on the couch in her dressing room, almost like that entire experience was some kind of absurd dream.

   One unlike any she had ever experienced. She could still remember the voice of the ghost leading her towards the mirror, the voice that turned out to be one of the strangest dogs she had ever met. She couldn't believe it, it didn't seem real, but it was. This dog…Balto was his name, had sang to her, and she could still his soft yet powerful voice still echoing in her ears, his cold paws caressing her body, gracefully cradling her in his arms. It was something that she wouldn't ever forget.

   I have to see him again, Jenna thought, whatever the masked hybrid had done seemed to work. She was so allured by him that she had to see him once more. She knew she would the next day during her practices, which would occur in Balto's lair beneath the Canine.

   As the next day came, Jenna excitedly waited for Balto to appear in the mirror, and he did, and they soon ventured into the underground lair below. This went on for several days, but Jenna soon began to spend more hours with Balto, singing duets with him, her voice almost equaling to his, yet his always overpowering hers.

   At times they did not practice, and they merely sat and seemed to get to know each other better, especially when Jenna had asked where Balto had come from, as they sat in the small parlor.

   "I was born in Alaska, just like you, and I was abandoned as a pup. That was, of course, until a great music teacher…I forget his name…anyway, he adopted me, and he soon found that I was extremely talented in music. Of course, I was unable to attend any of the schools since…well…" His voice trailed off, as it did whenever he seemed to speak of personal things. Jenna didn't mind too much, but it was rather odd.

   "What happened after that?" She asked.

   "Well, I soon left Alaska, and I ventured across the Bering Strait into Russia, and I was soon found by a traveling carnival that had come from a band of gypsies. They picked me up and I performed amazing feats of magic, so much so that it stunned all those that saw it, even the Czar of Russia awarded me for my performances. For some reason, they didn't really appreciate me…and after a certain incident…no, several incidents, I ran away from them, and well, I met Charles Canine, the one that created this Opera House."

   "Really? I didn't know that." Jenna replied.

   "Yes, he was a very nice dog. I found that he was creating an Opera House here in Paris, and he ventured to create a landmark of sorts. I asked if I could help in his funding, and he gladly accepted my offer. So, now you know why this little place of mine is here, and why this lake is here as well. I built it, I practically created this Opera House!"

   Jenna was somewhat surprised. She had no idea that this wolf-dog had done such things, but, there were still a few things she didn't understand.

   "Well, why do you live down here? Why not buy a house? I mean, I know you get money from the Managers, so why don't you move elsewhere?"

   Balto chuckled, "I would, but this is my sanctuary. It's a place that's full of the wonders of music and theatre. It's a place that no one has ever been too, besides you of course, and I intend to stay here."

   "But, you don't have to hide away in here, Balto. Why don't you come up to Paris? You used to, so why don't you? It must be lonely down here."

   The hybrid seemed to stare at the ground, "Well, it's complicated…it's mainly due to certain, uh, circumstances that I can't explain…" He then got up from his spot, "Now then, it's getting late, I suggest you get going before you're missed."

   Jenna thanked Balto for his time, and he lead her back to her dressing room. This went on for quite some time, and Jenna never minded spending time with Balto. He was full of surprises, and would always impress her with whatever kind of feat her could accomplish. He could throw his voice on objects or statues, making them practically come to life. He could make things disappear, like a quill or a piece of paper or a coin or (if she was considerate enough) Jenna's bandana. Jenna never understood how he could do such things, but Balto never spoke of his secrets.

   In those hours underneath the Opera House, Jenna never wanted to leave that place. Sometimes she would spend the night in the guest room, where he would sing her to sleep. She didn't know what it was, but no matter what the circumstance, she would always return to that lair on the lake, where Balto was always waiting for her.

   However, after about 2 weeks of being with Balto, things were getting complicated. Not only was Jenna being asked by her friends and the acting-manager where she had run off to, but she was also interrogated by Inspector Jean-Claude, who asked her if she knew anything about the Opera Ghost. Of course, Jenna knew that she had to lie, as no one would really believe her, but she definitely had to worry about Jean-Claude.

   "The Inspector of Police has been asking for you," Jenna told the hybrid as she was lead into the lair.

   "I know," Balto snickered, "he thinks he so smart, but, he can't catch a ghost!"

   "But, Balto, aren't you the slightest bit worried about what might happens if you're found out?"

   "There's nothing to worry about, Jenna. Everyone in this Opera House had been completely fooled. They actually think that I'm a phantom! A ghost! True, that Inspector is good, but he won't find out. No one else has dared face me, and it's very unlikely that someone would just come down here." His ears then perked up, "Someone like you…"

   "What are you saying?" Jenna asked, confused.

   The hybrid then came close to the husky. "Jenna, have you told anyone that I'm down here, or anything about the Opera Ghost being real?" His voice seemed rather desperate.

   "No, I haven't." She said, reassuring him, "You can trust me, Balto, I won't tell any dog, I swear."

   Balto smiled, "Good, I knew I could trust you. Now, to our lessons."

   Later that day, when Jenna got out of the Canine, and found a carriage that was ushered for her. It was a strange sort of brougham, with dark red curtains and overall gothic sort of style to it, with pointed tips at each side, and the horses were black as night.

   "Mademoiselle Daae?" The driver asked the husky, "I was asked to pick you up."

   Jenna was a bit confused as to why a carriage was here for her, "Who told you that?"

   "He's inside, Mademoiselle." Jenna walked up to the door, and it opened. Inside, she could see the black figure of Balto sitting in the corner, a seat adjacent for her next to him.

   "Balto?" She said to the hybrid, "What is this?"

   The wolf-dog's eyes lit up, "I know this sounds weird, but would you like to take a little ride with me?" Jenna had planned on heading home, and she was about to decline, but she felt it wouldn't be so bad. What's one ride?

   She entered the coach, and sat down on the equally red seats next to the hybrid. Upon closing the door, the carriage rode off.

   Jenna hadn't been told what Balto was planning, but she assumed it was just a regular carriage ride. As she sat next to the hybrid, she noticed that he was oddly close to her, and she shifted over to the side. She hadn't noticed that it was rather cold inside, and she shivered.

   "Are you cold?" Balto asked, "Here, take my coat." The masked wolf-dog gladly took off his cloak and offered it to the husky.

   "Are you sure you won't be cold?" Jenna asked, as she though Balto's suit jacket wouldn't exactly keep him warm.