A/N: Hi everyone! Thank you again for the lovely reviews! I'm glad I have some interest in a sequel. Like I said, it would be a collection of one-shots and drabbles and such that will expand upon this story. Looking back, I see there are parts in here that I can go into detail about certain characters and what happens after to them.

Sorry for the shortness, but it's mainly a filler chapter and I did not have the time to expand on this one like I was hoping to do. I did add a couple more pages, but I think I will definitely make it longer when I do the sequel in Erik's point of view.

Don't forget to review now!

Chapter 36

There was nothing that could have been done. It was over as quickly as it started.

Christine couldn't stop shaking. She never witnessed anything like that before and Carlotta… She was dead. Dead.

"Take her to the car," Raoul ordered softly, his eyes not looking away from where the woman fell. "I'll handle this."

Nadir nodded. "Come Miss Daaé. It's over now." He took her by the arm and carefully led her down the path to the car. Meanwhile, Raoul took the tentative steps towards the edge of the hill to look down below. He saw the body lying off the road, but the tall grass kept her hidden from the cars driving past. There was no way they could leave Carlotta like that and being grateful for the disposable cell phone, Raoul dialed 9-1-1.

"Hello? I like to report an anonymous tip. There's a woman body in the tall grass off of I-84. Yes. I saw her jump off the cliff… it looks to be a suicide." He hung up before the operator could ask any more questions. Raoul turned around and went back.

Christine was sitting in the back seat with the car door opened. She still looked pretty shaken and she was now sporting a band aid where Carlotta cut her.

"Is…?" Raoul asked.

"Just a nick. She'll be fine," Nadir supplied. "She's stunned, but she will snap out of it soon. We need to go and check the body quickly. Get in."

"Why?" the young man asked but doing as the Persian said.

"To make sure she is dead-dead. Let's go." He closed the door for Christine and the tires screeched as he accelerated to get out of the rest stop and to where the body fell. It was still there and after a quick check-up, Nadir was satisfied that Carlotta wasn't going to make any appearances of the undead.

They drove off again before the emergency vehicles could find them. Of course, Raoul was upset when Nadir's idea of a quick check-up was to drive a stake through her heart.

"Now it won't look like a suicide!"

"It's irrelevant. The cell can't be traced to you and the tip was anonymous. Besides, better safe than sorry."

Later, it would be heard that a woman's body disappeared after a tip had been called in. There was blood found at the scene and DNA revealed that it was Carlotta, but police were baffled as to where the body could have gone. Now for those who were involved, they didn't think she joined the ranks with the vampires. It was still daylight out and she would have burst into flames if she did wake in an undead state. Raoul didn't doubt Nadir's words that she was dead-dead. If anything, they would suspect either Meg, Buquet, or perhaps some other lost soul of Erik's control found it and took it away before the medics could. After all, if Carlotta had been following them… then it stood to reason that another could be following too.

Raoul and Nadir were on high alert for any suspicious vehicle trailing them. It was terrible enough that they were caught off un-guard by Carlotta and to have another repeat… they couldn't afford to be lax not with their mission ahead of them.

Of course, now… it would seem apparent that the creature knew what their plans were. Why else would one of his servants follow them?

Yet, the attack on Christine did not make any sense. The demon would not want to inflict pain or death upon the woman it saw as a mate.

No…

Carlotta had acted on her own. In a twisted turn of events of master and slave relations, Carlotta saw it as love and she wanted the vampire all to herself. Christine was an obstacle and she had to get rid of her in order to have the demon to herself.

But… her perverted sense of loyalty and love for the monster led to her own self-destruction.

Another hapless, innocent victim used again for the vampire's purpose. And when Carlotta overstepped her bounds and her orders… well, there was no other choice but to make sure she would not harm the rightful mate. Of course, the other option was to release its hold over the young woman, but that would not befit the demon's lust for vengeance and penance for trying to murder its object of desire.

It was the obvious conclusion that both men reached, but did not speak aloud out of respect for Christine. The whole experience startled her and disturbed her greatly. She never witnessed another human being dying in front of her own eyes.

Yes… she did come close once to that woman back in Danforth when Christine was in Erik's mind, but it was still very shocking.

Mainly… because she knew Carlotta.

She had known her for years—they had worked together! Despite their rivalry and differences and not to mention the petty tricks Carlotta had pulled on her to prevent her from singing on stage…

She was dead.

Time to time Christine had wished the other woman would disappear forever, but for her to leave this plane of existence all entirely? It was not what Christine had hoped for would happen, but…

Her mind flashed back to that moment when her life was being held literally in the Italian's hands. Fear, hot and pulsating, coursed through her and her body shook at the thought of being killed right there on the spot… never to see Erik again. The idea of never seeing him again…

Then she remembered Carlotta's grip on her loosened and seizing the opportunity—she ran into Raoul's arms. She had to pretend it was her heart's desire that was holding her so tightly and fiercely, shielding her from the horror that almost touched her. In that split second, she sensed Erik's comforting presence and when Christine looked back… what she saw next… she wondered if her mind was playing a trick on her, but even now as she recalled those moments… she knew it was really he that was right there on the hill.

To any other person, it would appear that Carlotta had gone off her rocker, yelling and pleading and attacking herself as if there was another present in her head. In actuality, there was another present and it was Erik.

If Christine could communicate with him with her mind, then it stood to reason that a touched one could do the same. He was the Master… and Carlotta was the lowly servant to do his bidding.

However, for Carlotta to follow them, to follow her, it didn't seem like an order that Erik would have made. Making her quit Box Five made sense, but not this. Carlotta had to have acted on her own and when Erik realized Christine was in trouble, he did the only thing he could do despite the distance.

He protected her.

He pushed Carlotta off the hill to save her life. And yet… Christine felt no horror or remorse for this realization. Erik had to do what he could to make sure she was all right. It was unfortunate that Carlotta developed this fierce attachment and loyalty to him, even though he despised that woman for what she had done to Christine.

She knew that… because she saw it in his memories. He wanted Christine to have her spot at the club, to sing and to be recognized for her talent. Carlotta was not worth it to have all the fame and glory, and not her. After he compelled Carlotta to quit Box Five, he told her to leave and never bother her again.

But the memory had been brief… Christine didn't know if he made any other demands or orders to the Italian… yet, she believed that Carlotta would be the last person he would send to follow them.

No…

Carlotta acted by herself in this order, believing she could have Erik's love. It was only natural that death would be her punishment for daring to touch or harm his beloved.

And in Christine's heart there was only acceptance and she loved him all the more.

Of course, she knew Nadir or Raoul wouldn't see it that way. To them they only saw murder and more blood spilt because of Erik. They would stop at nothing to stop Erik from hurting more people.

Even if they happened to deserve whatever fate that befalls them.

Christine had to make sure that didn't happen. They were bringing her back to him, and once they arrived, she would leave them. How she hadn't figured that part out. But if she had to knock them out cold then so be it. Then she would be able to run to Erik and they could flee together.

In her mind, there would not have to be any more blood or death on either side. She could part ways with Raoul and Nadir, and hoped to God that they will never cross paths again.

It was wishful thinking, but nevertheless, Christine didn't wish death upon Raoul and Nadir. She had a history with Raoul and she wouldn't be able to live with herself knowing she got him hurt. Yes, he had brought her pain and at times she hated him, but not to the point where she wanted him dead. And Nadir… the poor man suffered too much and she may not be his number one fan; she had respect for what he does. He was wrong about Erik, but he did help others and that counted for something.

Gazing out the car window, Christine reached out to Erik with this message:

Thank you Erik for saving me. I know this was a shock for you as well, at least, I hoped it was. I know you used Carlotta to make her quit so I could have a shot, and that you did not have her keep tabs on me. At least we don't have to worry about her anymore. But hang on. I'm coming. Can you feel me getting closer? Give me the strength my love and I will be soon beside you. I love you Erik. Both you and the demon.

xxXXxx

Christine fell asleep but woke when Raoul nudged her. They were at another motel, but didn't say where. It didn't matter to her. She knew they were already here in Maine.

Once they went inside their room, she received the shock of her life when Raoul took out a pair of handcuffs and cuffed her to him.

Her eyes narrowed at him dangerously. "What the Hell Raoul?"

"I'm sorry Christine, but it's still a risk I'm not ready to take," he answered her plainly. "You can keep insisting you're doing this to help us and that's it, but I know deep down that isn't true. The first chance you get, you will go back to him. I cannot allow that. I'm sorry it has to be this way."

Christine spat at him. "You know what Raoul? As much as you hated them, you are really like your parents. Selfish and heartless."

He gave her no reply.

TBC…