Erik woke to darkness and warmth, he vaguely thought of how nice it would feel waking up next to his Christine, almost like this. But Erik never woke up warm and happy, except now. What has changed? Erik new he was in his coffin, but it was unnaturally filled. Maybe more pillows have been added. No, it was something else entirely. Erik registered the dull pain in his neck, pain wasn't unfamiliar to him but he hurt no where else. His sprained ankle, broken ribs, mild concussion, all gone. Even the open sores on his face felt as if they've disappeared. Erik moved to open his coffin only for his skeletal hand to bump into something soft and warm, he pushed against the item and somewhere near his ear groaned low and long, like a bear being poked with a stick.
"Five more minutes." the voice said, scaring Erik shitless. The Phantom leaped from his coffin throwing open the lid, an act that proved unusually easy. Inside his own coffin of ebony laid the man from the day before. I man that even when laying looked intimidating. He wore a light pink dress shirt slightly ruffled with sleep with a dark gray vest with matching trousers and shoes. His jet black hair was tied back into a braid that ended at the base of his shoulder blades. The Vampire fixed the Phantom with a cold stare. He smiled warmly though his electric eyes would've frozen water.
"Oh darling, why don't you come back to bed?" The mocking tone was tangible. Vlad lifted himself from the coffin, much more world weary than when Erik first encountered him.
"Why are you still here?"
"Can I not stay here, friend?"
"Of course." Erik covered his mouth, and stared at his intruding and rude guest. The Vampire smiled genuinely now.
"Happy Birthday Erik." when met with a questioning glance from the skinny man he continued. "You are now a Vampire, and I am your loving and affectionate father and master, you will do anything I say, you cannot disobey my orders. You are at least thirty years younger physically, mentally you are as you will always be. Soon we shall go back home to Romania."
"WHO ARE YOU TO ORDER ERIK, MONSOUIR! HE DOES NOT BELIEVE HE AGREED TO SUCH AN ARANGEMENT" Erik boomed angry, finding himself feeling lighter on his feet, and the edges of his vision reddening in his anger. Dracula laughed merrily, clapping his long clawed hands together in utmost enjoyment.
"Don't you realize child? I am older than anything in existence, I can do whatever I'd like with you or anyone. Even your precious Christine, though she is quite plain next to my wives."
"Christine is an angel among peasants, she should have had the world on its knees."
"Yet she chose to be boned by a Viscount, who will rely on his family for funds. Who in which will cut him off for marrying his Mistress. They'll be poor and on the streets. Or maybe just her, he may just throw her to the side, even if shes pregnant."
"My ANGEL is not a mistress, she is a QUEEN." Erik retorted, his temper quickly failing him.
"AND I AM A KING!" Dracula roared. Erik knew what the vampire was insinuateing. His pride was hurt as was his ego, but something in the back of his head told his to keep quiet. It sounded like the Persian oddly enough. He took an undignified sigh catching his reflection in a small mirror that leaned upon his wall, it was cut off to where he could only see himself from the neck down as he never wanted to look at himself in earnest. His once yellow skin was as white as the parchment he wrote his musical scores on, any age spots he received during life was eliminated and all scars softened to blend with the overall skin tone. The only way to find them would be to look for them individually. His body filled out to a more acceptable size though still, unhealthy looking. The deteriorated muscle tissue repaired and strong. His immaculate dress bloodied at the neck and askew. Erik ducked to find his face not nearly as startling as it was usually. The sores that his mask left were healed, redness and inflammation completely gone, and on top of that his teeth were perfectly aligned other than the elongated canines. He still looked like a corpse, but now he looked like one worthy of an open casket. And for Erik this revelation was enough, for now. Erik turned to the vampire, who only smiled, his shark-like teeth glistening in the fading candlelight, and said again.
"Happy Birthday."
A few weeks later, Erik sat before his only mirror, memorized by his face. He was still quite ugly, and would still probably make babies and weak hearted humans cry. The Phantom placed on his mask, a black leather mask that only exposed his lower lip and chin. He wore all black today, still immaculate in dress. Erik turned to leave his once room, now stripped of coffin and pipe organ, clothes and music scores were packed away and in-route to Romania. Only one thing to do, visit the Daroga. Erik left his underground abode for the last time, his souvenirs from Christine in hand. A painful reminder of his insolence over a mortal girl. He climbed into his carriage, pulled by two large Frisians and bearing the Tapes Family crest, namely Vlad's. One Erik designed himself just a few days ago.
The Persians servant met Erik at the door, a surprised expression on his face. Nadir stood in his living room. Leaning heavily on his cane.
"MUDERER! What have you done with Monsieur DeChagny and Christine Daae?!" Yelled Nadir.
"I have come here to tell you that I am going to die." Erik put on a good show, slipping back into his original madness. Convincing the once detective that Erik was truly dying out of love for the blonde soprano. The night ended with Erik placing his souvenirs into the Daroga's hands, and instructing him to put in a notice at the Epoc. Erik climbed into his carriage and rode away. Tomorrow the Daroga will receive all of Erik's vast fortune, a little gift for all the trouble Erik has caused the only man to see past the Phantoms ghostly facade. Only now he truly was the dead walking among the living.
Erik wondered why he just let Vladimir tell him what to do, why he just let himself become a vampire. Possibly because it wouldn't have been such a big change in pace for the Phantom. He instructed his cab driver to make a stop at the DeChagny residence, which it did. Erik let the carriage ride up to the front door, and he stepped out. The family butler opened the front door and invited the once music teacher inside. The happy couple were at the dining table-Raoul at the head, Christine at his right, and the other various patrons Erik guessed were Raoul's family. It wasn't uncommon for nobility to live with their family as such.
Erik strode into the room with the air of a king and placed his long fingers on he back of Raoul's chair, as a good friend would do. Erik was far from a friend, though, only the tortured three knew that.
"My good Count, have you forgotten your meeting with me? My friend, for shame!" Erik's perfect lit illuminated the air. Christine's downcast eyes widened in fear but she did not look up. Raoul turned abruptly in his chair, his skin nearly the shade of Erik's own.
"MONSTER!" Raoul declared attempting to get up, only to be shushed by a rather stern woman, who Erik assumed was the lady of the house, the fops mother.
"Forgive my son, Monsieur. He has forgotten everything that is required of his station." she said glaring at Christine. An action that would've angered Erik, had she not chosen the fop over him. "Please take a seat and share our meal with us." Erik took the vacated seat next to Christine. The poor vixen stiffened, Her warmth only angered him further.
"What brings you here this time of night Monsieur?" Green eyes meet his in uncovered interest. The strawberry blonde teen sat next to her mother in a low cut blue gown, her porcelain neck exposed for all to see.
"I have business with your big brother and his bride darling." Erik said smoothly, incaseing the prettily blushing girl in his voice. He knew now why Vladimir told him it would be easy to obtain a snack. As long as Erik kept his eyes locked with theirs, and talked a certain way. He vaguely wondered if it had been half this easy when he was human. Erik accepted the glass of wine offered to him but didn't touch the food. After dinner the family and guests retired to the den. Erik sat between Raoul's sister and mother. His sister clinging to Erik's side not unlike the young ballet rats would do to the patrons, this made Raoul uncomfortable and grasp Christine to his side ever more, his palm firmly placed upon her stomach.
Christine was pregnant, Erik smiled 'good for her, good for me' he thought, holding the sisters's hands that grasped onto his jacket sleeve.
"What is your occupation monsieur? Surely you are more competent than my son here." Erik laughed loudly, like the bells of Notre Dame.
"I daresay I'm not of Nobility like Raoul here, but I have made quite a fortune from composing here and there." Erik smiled. the gleam of his unnaturally white teeth holding Christine's gaze. Christine nudged Raoul's side. Raoul looked to his scared wife and decided to move this conversation along. Surely Erik wouldn't come into his own home to make a scene, did he know about Christine's condition? How?
"I would love to finish this most engaging of conversations, the monsieur and I have business to attend to, Ladies?" He ushered his mother and sister out, kissing both on the cheek, and locking the door behind them. "What do you want monster?" Raoul crossed again to stand in front of his wife while watching the Phantom drink his best wine. Erik thought of why he was here, what his plan was. That was. Until he had it.
"I've come for the child of course, every monster needs a victim. Perhaps I'll just take Christine again, she seems to be the root of your familial troubles Raoul."
"DON'T YOU DARE, I WON HER FAIRLY."
"I don't think she likes being a trophy, but then again the slut doesn't have to live in a glorified whore house." Erik's amber eyes locked with Christine's blue. The blonde took a step away from her husband.
"Erik? What has gotten into you?" she said, tears making her eyes hazy. "Your not acting like my Angel anymore."
"Erik has never been an Angel" Erik's voice whispered from every corner of the room. The windows flew open causing the couple to turn. There was a sudden rain storm, one that most likely started a few moments ago. When the two finally got the large windows shut the room was empty. Only a single sentence hung in the air to haunt them.
"May I suggest Gustava."
I would like to thank AResidentGhost for being my first reviewer ever! *thunderous standing ovations from theaters across the world* I do hope this reader stays with me through this story and through my unladylike BS. Anyway, another big thank you!
Reviews, PMs, Favorite and Follows always appreciated.