Finally,

I have had the time to edit and post this chapter. In the last chapter, we had Cassie waking up in Erik's home and found out a little more of our friend's temper and internal struggle. This is a continuation of that night, in the perspective of our beloved Opera Ghost. Please read and review – I love hearing your thoughts.

J.D

The flame engulfed the end of the cigarette as Cassarah greedily sucked the smoke into her lungs. True, I detested the habit but who was I to deny her the release?

This was the first time I had ever allowed anyone into the deep, secluded sanctuary I called my home. Her very presence was stifling, and I fought the urge to excuse myself back to my room. The young woman in front of me, scantily dressed, did not seem perturbed by her surroundings, nor did her present company and it puzzle me. Even the Daroga was uncomfortable around me. She only seemed curious, a trait I began to find somewhat alluring.

I watched transfixed by her movements as she took another drag on the cigarette. The smoke oozed out of her mouth and wrapped itself around me. The act struck a certain cord, sending waves of sensations to the pit of my stomach. She rolled her bottom lip into her mouth and played with the delicate skin, deep in thought. My eyes traversed the length of her bare legs, over the tattered remains of her dress and across the plain of her collarbones, dipping scandalously down to-

I cleared my throat.

She broke from her reverie and peered at me through the haze of smoke. She bit her lip once more as I looked away.

"How did you and the chief of security become friends?"

My head shot back to her. The question caught me off guard and I narrowed my eyes. "The Daroga and I are hardly what you would call, 'friends'."

"Daroga?" Her brows dipped and she rested the cigarette off her lips. I swallowed.

"Persian word for police. Think of it as a term of endearment. Amir likes to pretend he is my keeper. He believes that because he saved my life, he can hold it over me. But what he doesn't understand is I have had many opportunities to end him just out of sheer irritation. Don't believe everything he tells you."

"He didn't really say anything. You've said more than he has..." The sheet slipped down her arm to reveal a bare shoulder shimmering in the firelight.

"I haven't even skimmed the surface." I mumbled, tearing my eyes away from her skin.

The silence grew between us with only the popping of the embers from the hearth echoing around the warmed sitting area. She sighed.

"So I've been told you're a musical genius?" She asked, nudging the butt of the cigarette with her thumb. The ashes fell deafly to the floor.

"A genius?" I watched as they scurried across the stone. "I have a profound understanding of the subject therefore granting me the ability to manipulate music in ways never heard before. It is not just notes and sounds, it comes alive when I play it. And I become the music. It's the one thing on this earth that doesn't shy away from me and I am at its beck and call."

"I can understand the attraction. In rehab, I couldn't sleep...they had a piano in the common room. I would spend hours on that thing, playing until my wrists hurt..." She paused for a moment, looking down at the stone floor. "Sometimes I feel like that was the only thing keeping me from giving up. It kept the guilt of my stupid decisions from suffocating me."

"Allowed you to breathe again."

She looked up at me and her gaze pierced through my soul. "Yes, exactly."

I sat up straighter in my chair. "Do you play well?"

"I play as well as any other self-taught piano player." She smirked. "Nothing like an angel of music, that's for sure."

"Well if you play anything like you dance, I presume you at least have the sense of rhythm. Can you read music?"

"I cannot..."

"Well then how did you learn to play?"

"Mostly by ear. I know enough to get by."

I scoffed. "You don't play music simply to get through it. You play it how it deserves to be played."

"Well then, musical genius, demonstrate for me." She challenged me, her eyes sparkling playfully.

"I have nothing to prove to you, mademoiselle. My genius is not something I care to showcase for the enjoyment of a silly ballet dancer."

"So you admit it, then. Suit yourself. I had my doubts anyway..." She stood up and tossed the spent cigarette into the hearth.

Wrapping the sheet tighter around her slim frame, she began perusing my bookshelves. Her fingers caressed the worn bindings of the volumes crammed next to each other. She reached the bottom of the bookcase and turned to the left and noticed in the dark corner of the room, a small piano tucked away. She waltzed over to it. Her fingers ran over the silky keys, riding the black, raised bumps as her eyes searched around the room for her next target.

I sat watching her, my head cradled within my fingertips as the awkwardness of the situation settled once more. Cassarah's nosey interrogation of the things in my sitting room made me feel as if I were under investigation. She was given a small glimpse into my life and the uncomfortable feeling made me stand and clear away the tea cups and the steaming kettle.

Once in the galley, I let out a relieved breath and set to washing the cups and emptying the contents of the kettle. My mind retraced the last few hours of this strange night. The urge to protect this beautiful stranger was confusing to me. It was illogical to become involved in such a circle of events but the dangerous outcome forced me to act. All my life, I've been presented situations that tested my moral bearings, countless times, yet somehow, even when I'm saving one person's life, it's tainted by the blood of someone else's.

Death always followed me as if the mark left on my face and my body was some territorial binding. Everywhere I went, anyone I touched, faced some misfortune. I was cursed, damned to live this fate of transcending evil and bear the weight of all its consequences. It's precisely why Kristina was so important to me. Her light blinded the darkness of my life and melted away the impenetrable ice which caged my withered heart from coming alive. And now she was leaving me, forcing that ice to freeze over once more...

The teacup shattered under the pressure of my fingers and the thoughts that gripped them. Cursing, I swept the remains of the cup into the waste bin and leaned against the counter. My fingers curled into my palms and etched their way into the calloused skin. The fury of my thoughts made my body quake and before I could even act on them, a few disconnected notes from the piano played out.

I dried my hands on the dish rag and chucked it carelessly onto the counter. I peered into the sitting room and saw in the corner, the dancer sitting at the piano, her fingers poised over the keys. The sheet was discarded on the bench around her, her long tresses flowing down her spine like a sea of fire.

Standing silently outside of the galley, I listened as she began an unfamiliar tune, softly echoing out into the sitting room. Her fingers moved awkwardly across the keys, her posture slumped over the instrument while the song began to pick up speed. I crept forward to get a better look at her technique. It was painfully obvious she never had formal training but at least the music didn't suffer too much.

Each stroke of the key caused a twitch in my fingers, the compulsive need to correct her playing becoming a burden to my patience. I stood directly behind her, and unable to hold back anymore I reached over her shoulders and stilled her fingers.

Her breath hitched. "Like this, Cassarah."

Her fingers rose up and molded to mine as I repositioned them to the correct stance. Her skin was warm and velvety against the cool, rough edges of my fingers. They hovered for a moment while I inspected her form.

"Good. Back straight," My trembling fingers pushed against the small of her back while it yielded to my pressure. "Shoulders back." I pulled at her arms and she straightened. My fingers briefly caressed hers once more. "Fingers relaxed."

Cass turned her head towards mine, her blonde, wispy hair grazing my unmasked cheek, igniting the flesh as if it were on fire. She swallowed violently. "Now try to play, but remember to keep your wrists lifted and your fingers arched. There is no grace in a saggy posture."

She began the tune again, this time with a more determined air. The song sounded sturdier and her technique greatly improved her movement across the deck. The tune was jovial and the flowing rhythm matched the cascading bass before the pitch altered once more. The sounds swirled as she brought the song to a climax. She lifted the heavy tune and began again with lighter, higher notes.

"I wasn't aware that you were watching." She bit her lip in concentration. "I would have attempted to look decent."

"I beg your pardon, but there was nothing decent in how you were playing."

"Not pardoned." She smirked.

Once the song was finished, she turned toward me, stood and dipped low in a mocked curtsy. When she righted, she smiled at me and I was horrified to find I returned the gesture.

"Bravo, mademoiselle. Perhaps you should pursue a career as a pianist." My arms crossed over my chest as she stepped towards the settee.

"I do enjoy your sarcasm."

I rolled my eyes.

"It's your turn, Erik." Cass mirrored my stance and her eyebrow lifted to challenge me yet again. "I braved the embarrassment of an "Angel of music" critiquing my playing. Don't you think I deserve a reward for that?"

"That is hardly worthy, Cassarah."

"I'm going to keep asking until you say yes." She gripped the back of the couch with her wide set fingers and stared at me.

I feared she was right and to offer me some form of peace I relented. "Very well, but only for the sake of my nerves."

I opened the door to my bedroom and instantly began to pace from wall to wall. I couldn't quiet the sensations billowing around my chest and stomach. The woman upstairs was utterly trying with her constant questions and her devilish glances at me. I knew playing for her was a sacred act I only bestowed upon Kristina, and in a way I felt like I was cheating her by sharing it. However, the prospect of returning to the living room empty handed seemed...wrong.

Sighing heavily, I grabbed the violin and bow from its perch and made to leave the room. I caught my reflection in the mirror. The image staring back at me looked nothing like a dashing, handsome man, but a ghoul in expensive dress clothes and unsettled hair that fell haphazardly around the outskirts of a mask. I gave the image a glare and left the room behind me in an angry huff.

When I returned to the sitting room, Cassarah was standing in front of the fire playing with one of my souvenirs from a trip to Asia many years ago. She fingered the long brass trinket, mindlessly circling it around in the fire light. Her face screwed up in confusion as she held a finger over one of the openings.

"If you ever wish to play the piano again, I would refrain from indulging that venture." I pointed at her hands with the bow.

She jumped and the object clanged to the floor. "Jesus! You need to start announcing yourself or something...what is it?"

"It's a Chinese Finger Trap. Modified...naturally."

"Oh."

She replaced the trap back to its place on the mantel and eyed me curiously.

"Sit." I sighed as she obliged and placed the instrument to rest under my chin. "Is there anything in particular you wish to hear?"

"Impress me." She wrapped the sheet around her shoulders and tucked her hands under her arms in a hugging embrace.

"Well then, your majesty, impress I shall." The arrogance seeped through my voice as I positioned the bow onto the strings.

The song started off with a slow, melodic tempo, a high vibratory wail in a repetitive introduction. The notes repeated over a few times before they dipped into a dramatic course of sharp, steep strokes. I felt my blood begin to burn with each thrust of the bow against the strings while the music quickened. I opened my eyes to peer at Cass, who stared evenly back at me, utterly bewildered at the intensity of the sounds echoing around her. The song had barely begun and she was already drunk off of the intoxicating music and I couldn't suppress a smirk. The pace quickened more, and as the notes carried away into a fevered climax, I swayed into the urgency of the ambiance. My fingertips danced along the strings, moving almost unseen along the fingerboard and the bow screeched as if I were possessed.

A severe sense of longing bubbled within me as I imagined Kristina sitting on the settee across from me. It should be her with me right now, instead of the ballet dancer. But how ironic is this utter misfortune?

Cassarah was looking at me with such vigor, I almost dropped the bow. She was so far into the music that the bed sheet had crumpled around her while her hands absently caressed her naked thigh. A new feeling that started deep within my belly coursed painfully throughout my body and caused me to abruptly stop. She seemed to snap out of her hypnotic state and blinked rapidly a few times.

She suddenly stood and took a step closer. "That was beautiful." She was breathless. "It definitely puts my playing to shame." Her tooth gripped her lip and tugged it into her mouth.

"Thank you." I placed the instrument down onto the end table. We both stood in awkward silence for a moment.

"You know...you aren't exactly what I was expecting. You're very different when you aren't fulfilling your ghostly persona." She waved her hands in the air around her head.

"You, my dear, are exactly as I expected, nosy and completely unrelenting."

She chuckled. "Maybe you should try being this way more often. Maybe you'd find people wouldn't be so afraid of you."

"Perhaps I want people to be afraid of me."

"You don't mean that."

"I do mean it! My whole life I have dealt with the cruelty of humanity and to be frank, I'm sick of it. I have let go of the possibility of normalcy a long time ago and I find that if people fear me, then perhaps they are more likely to keep their prejudices to themselves and save me the disappointment. As I said before, fear simplifies things." I spat out.

Her smile melted away like ice on a warm, winter day. "People may just need a chance to understand. Fear is mostly from the unknown."

"Enough, Cassarah."

"Some people are more forgiving then others-" She took a step closer and reached out a hand towards me.

I snatched it and roared, "I said enough!"

A look of shock transposed to a look of rage. "I'm trying to be a friend, in spite of everything that has happened because I can see you want to reach out to someone, anyone."

"I don't."

"But obviously you are too much of an asshole to realize that."

"And what do you know? How could you possibly understand the complete rejection of my entire life?"

"Don't start that bullshit, Erik. You aren't the only human being on this planet who has suffered!"

"Your misfortunes were governed by poor, life decisions. Those were your own fault. I was born this way, I never had a choice!"

"You chose to hide away like a coward and for what reason? Because you're ugly? I admit, I made bad decisions but I'm at least trying to move on with my life, not deny it."

"You know nothing about me. Think whatever you wish, Cass. But you...You are far more naive than I for having hope. You think if you go to your little meetings and perform your meaningless shows, that one day you will have another chance. No amount of repentance will ever change what happened with you, your life and even your son."

She stepped back as if I had physically hit her and her arms instinctively circled her stomach. "Don't you ever speak about my son...ever!"

I should have apologized for even after the statement came rushing out of my mouth, I instantly regretted it. And yet the anger at her implied accusations weighed down my tongue.

"I think its best that I take you home now." The frustration within me threatened to spill over and my fingers dug into my palms.

"Thank God." She bent down and grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Lead the way."

XxX

The flame from the lighter exploded the cavernous space with light for a moment and was followed by an angry puff from Cassarah. She stood right outside of the front doors and waited while I prepared for our journey back up to civilization. I thought it best to deposit her out from the dressing rooms for good measure. In all honesty, she's damn lucky I didn't shove her out of my home and wished her adieu. Or worse yet, introduced her to my secret little room behind the bookcase, equipped with a special iron tree.

'Because you're ugly?'

The words replayed in my head as the hurt churned within my chest. It had been a rather long time since I've heard those words and the effects were nearly crippling. For a fleeting moment, I thought maybe this time things would have ended up differently. But it always returned to the same, stark truth. I was cursed to be singled out for nothing more than being born different.

I grabbed my cloak and stuffed the thin wired lasso into my pocket before exiting my home. For a long time, I kept this particular weapon stowed away while I haunted the opera. There wasn't a need for self-preservation. However, after the previous night's events, I found it more than acceptable to be armed.

The door slammed closed behind me and I motioned Cass to follow. She stumbled across the sandy shore while her heels sank into the loose earth.

"Ugh." She kneaded the bandage as her face screwed up in pain.

"It would be wise if you sought out a doctor when you return home. I took care of the wound but you could have underlying problems."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine." She gave her forehead one last rub and continued towards me.

I took the lantern hanging off of its hook and triggered a concealed spring along the far side of the cavern. The stone rumbled open and revealed a shallow incline into a pitch black hallway.

"Seriously? This is way too Indiana Jones for me..." She flicked her cigarette into the void above the lake and entered the hallway.

I said a silent prayer for some patience and followed her. The entryway closed behind us, leaving the glowing ring from the lantern as the only source of guiding light. She abruptly stopped in front of me and I almost doubled over to prevent a collision.

"Maybe it's best if I lead..." I skirted around her and began down the hall. "We don't need any accidents."

"Accidents?" The panic rose within her voice.

I turned back to see her frozen still at the entry. "The cellars of the opera are nothing short of a maze and within the maze, there are certain hindrances that were put in place to thwart the curious."

I retreated back to her and gently took her wrist within my grasp. She jumped. "Your hands are freezing."

"My apologies." I sneered. "It's part of being a ghost."

I tugged on her and soon we were making decent progress through the lower portion of the labyrinth. This was the easier part of the journey for when we were to approach the upper sections, we would then have to be quiet, and I wasn't entirely sure Cass was capable of that.

We came to the third floor cellars, and the underground rotunda. The ceiling reached high above into looping arches and swirling columns that towered into the stonework. There were half a dozen archways circling in varying directions, each either leading to a different wing of the opera or back down toward the underground lake. I made for the farthest entrance to the right but felt resistance.

I turned around and was surprised to see the dancer looking around in astonishment. Her mouth hung open as her eyes traveled along each column and bend, like a painter envisioning a masterpiece. She couldn't absorb it fast enough.

"I've never seen anything like this before in my life. I wish there was more light in here..." She whispered while she took a turn about the room.

"It is quite incredible. Though, as much as I'd love to explain the intricate architectural details behind all of this, we are pressed for time."

It was early morning and soon the opera would be crawling with life. The situation was complicated enough, I didn't want to add insult to injury with the threat of capture looming over us. She shook her head in understanding and fell in line behind me.

The silence would have been a comfort if it wasn't filled with the constant sighing from Cass behind me. She was still angry. Her irritation was palpable, seeping into my soul and churning my own emotions. She huffed again into the cramped pathways of the second floor cellars. She hardly said a word to me and she purposely kept her distance. Her arms stayed tightly wound around her chest while her eyes burned holes into the back of my head.

Finally, after the eighth sigh, I stopped our procession and addressed her.

"If you are expecting an apology, I have none to give." I grumbled. "I don't grovel for forgiveness."

"I wouldn't expect you to." Her teeth chattered in the cool, humid air.

A few more silent moments passed before I stopped again and turned to her. In one fluid movement, I removed my cloak and draped it around her bare shoulders. She stiffened, and I thought she was about to protest but she gave in after the warmth seeped into her. I pushed the triumphant feeling of victory away. I noticed she looked so very fragile wrapped in my cloak.

We began the steady incline up to the first floor cellar. The walls began to close in even more as the atmosphere changed ever so slightly. The cave like moisture from the previous levels began to dissipate the closer we came to the surface. The stone walls began to take more of a structural shape and even some sounds from life above began to trickle down from the thin walls and ceilings above. We rounded a spiral staircase and began the final incline to the same room i had been secretly visiting for the past few months.

The distilled light filtered down the hallway from the mirror before us. Cass peered around me and gasped at the sudden realize of our location.

"So that's how you did it...I knew it had something to do with the mirrors!"

"Mirrors can be quite deceptive..."

"So can Angels of music."

I switched the spring that opened the two way mirror and stepped into the dark, empty dressing room. "This is where I leave you. I'm sure you have plenty of things to do- perhaps cause more mischief?"

"It's usually my intention..." She crossed the threshold into the room and turned to look at me. "You're lucky you saved my life...I was planning on turning you in for attempted homicide. But I suppose you've redeemed yourself. For now. See you around, Erik. Stay out of trouble."

"Most likely not."

"Yeah, yeah." She rolled her eyes and exited the dressing room.

I stood for a moment in the empty room and let out a long, heavy sigh. The thought of the quiet, solitary space of my home propelled me into a near sprint back down to the lake. I rehung the lantern, extinguished the light and barged through the front doors. The smell of stale smoke lingered in the warm sitting area. I wondered if I would ever be able to rid it of that smell and smirked.

I removed my hat and suddenly realized I had forgotten to retrieve my cloak from the girl. I'll eventually have to steal that back. Is it possible to steal something you originally owned?

I started toward the book shelf but stopped short in front of the glowing fire. I was not as alone as I hoped. Amir sat patiently in my arm chair, yet again, and regarded me dryly.

"Oh for god's sake!" I roared. "The very few times I wish for solitude..."

"Erik, how are you?" Amir tilted his head while he crossed his legs. "Well-I hope?"

This must have been some sort of trap for he was hardly ever this cordial. "What is it now, Daroga? You never present yourself for good news. I'm beginning to resent your little visits."

"A young man suffered a terrible accident the other night during the performance and scared the audience half to death. His career is most likely ruined. Perhaps you could shed some light on this mysterious event?" He cocked on eyebrow up.

"It was obviously equipment malfunction. The reputation of those stagehands really precedes them." I opened the cupboard on the bottom of the bookcase and retrieved a fresh bottle of bourbon. Breaking the seal, I turned back towards him. "Would you care for a drink?"

"Yes, please." He responded hastily.

Out of all the times I had offered such a drink to the Daroga, he almost always refused. Unless, of course he had exceptionally bad news to share. Still, I poured two generous cups of the sweet liquor and settling myself next to the mantel of the fireplace, I handed him his cup.

"Is that all you needed to ask me?" I took a drink and watched as he followed suit. "You didn't come all this way to hear my opinion of this."

"Perhaps you could consider having tea instead of this blasted stuff next time?" He grimaced as he took another sip.

"Enough evading the subject. Why have you come?"

"Erik, you're in trouble. Management is infuriated. They blame you for Friday night's events and feel like you have cost them greatly. Not only did you injure a dancer mid performance, which is going to cost them a great deal of money from hospital bills alone and the threat of a lawsuit, but you also caused trouble with a very influential man by stealing his box tickets. They had to refund his money and give him free seats."

"They had the nerve to sell my box! I could have killed him but I thought of you and decided to do the lesser of two evils. What difference does it make now? The man got what he wanted...I'm beginning to think its time I put my nose back into this business. I've been silent way too long." I downed the rest of the drink and slammed the glass down onto the end table.

"You would be doing yourself a disservice, my friend. These managers aren't the brightest, but they are bold. They won't think twice about sending a brigade of men down here to flush you out."

"Let them do it. It's becoming quite boring down here anyways." I left my post at the mantle to lounge across the settee.

There was a pause before Amir pressed on. "Why did you do it, Erik? The boy did nothing to you, had no connections to you whatsoever. I have known you far too long to believe this was done without reason."

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose to alleviate the pressure building. "...it was truly accidental, at least for the boy's injuries. I was aiming for the dancer, the girl. Were you aware that Kristina was interested in that London retreat?"

"I am head of security. I don't necessarily converse casually with the managers unless it was about something specific to security."

"Cassarah, she convinced Kristina to leave for London. There is an opportunity to study there and I knew she did it just to spite me. So I had every intention of scaring her. I just miscalculated..."

"You will never learn. Sometimes revenge isn't worth the pain and suffering of others." Amir finished his drink and placed the empty glass on the table. He stood up and checked his watch. "I should be going. My shift starts in an hour."

He grabbed his jacket and made for the front door. "Management instructed me to deliver the news that you'll be put on unofficial house arrest for the time being."

"Meaning?" I narrowed my eyes. The thought of being caged in this building by force was laughable.

"You will be watched, the exits and entrances will be monitored by newly installed infrared cameras. If you are caught outside of this building you will be detained and arrested."

I laughed heartily. "This is a joke, right? Some sort of game?"

The Daroga's shoulders sagged and for the first time I notice the wrinkles around his eyes and the grays beginning to sprout throughout his beard. "No, Erik. I told you last time we talked that if you were to do anything stupid again, there would be consequences. They wanted to arrest you right away, but I convinced them I would be able to coerce you into obliging their wishes."

"That's impossible! I will not remain a prisoner here under the order of those two fools. I won't abide."

"Suit yourself, my friend. I bid you adieu." He regarded me carefully before shrugging on his jacket and made his way toward the door.

"I saved her life that night." I said before I even knew what I was saying.

"Pardon?" He stopped misstep and slowly turned back towards me. "Who do you mean?"

"I saw Cass leaving here at around 3 in the morning alone on the night of the performance. Apparently she was seeking me out for an explanation. It was then that I noticed the three men following her. They intended to violate her and then kidnap her. I fought them off, even killed one and brought her back here. I tended her wounds...I played music for her." The words sounded distant as if someone else far away was reciting them.

He stared at me in silence.

"I can't tell you why I brought her back here. She would have eventually gained consciousness, someone would have helped her and yet I couldn't make myself leave her there."

Amir walked back around the settee and kneeled before me. "You know, Erik, even though you believe you're nothing but a heathen damned to walk this earth, no matter how hard you try not to believe it, you're still human." He clamped his hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"She was in my home. She played my piano and she questioned everything. She practically went through my belongings. I detested every moment of it..."

"That somewhat explains why it smelled like an ashtray in here."

"...and yet, I enjoyed some of her company. That is until she started talking about my life and how I should live it."

Amir stood up and returned to the foyer. "All women are mostly the same. They think they are always right and believe they know what's best for you. Please be careful, no more accidents, eh? My job is stressful enough, I can't afford to lose it over your temper tantrums. I will tell the management that what happened was purely coincidental. Don't make me regret it!"

"And the girl?"

"I will talk to her and see if there is anything that can be done."

He closed the door behind him.

A feeling of unrest bubbled within me. I stood and poured myself another drink even though I fully believed the alcohol could not still these feelings within from festering.