Easily pleased, Micah enjoys a career in non-profit work and gets through his days one lame joke at a time. Then his friend Lou introduces him to her musical family and the Knights pull Micah into their world of resilience and sorrow. Soon, Micah understands that in the face of grief, optimism isn't always enough.<br><br>Lei was once revered for his tremendous talent. But one day the music died, and the scars under his leather bracelets are a reminder of what he lost. These days, he's nothing but a phantom. Shut away from the world, Lei tunes instruments in the Knights' music store.<br><br>Then charismatic Micah enters his life, charming his family and slowly coaxing his way into Lei's heart with steadfast devotion. With Micah at his side, it may yet be possible for Lei to reclaim the spotlight he'd thought permanently abandoned.

Music of the Knight

Then I turned to look at the wall behind me, and my mouth dropped open. There was a huge, almost wall-to-wall laminated picture there. It was the Phantom of the Opera. Clad in a caped nineteenth century coat with his face slightly turned away, and his white mask illuminated, the Phantom had his hand raised, protecting himself from the glaring light. The background was dark, aside from a brilliant chandelier that took up the upper left part of the picture.


I stared at the Phantom in awe. He could have been Lei. I could easily imagine Lei in that tuxedo and black caped coat. Yes, Lei was scarred, too. Only hisscars were invisible. “Big fan, huh?” I asked, still staring at the picture.


Lei stood right beside me. “Yeah, I…love him.”


The way he’d said it. Lovehim. I was almost jealous.


“Please, sit down.” Lei walked away and sat on one of the couches, his gaze lingering on the flickering candles. “Can I get you anything?”


Chapter 40