This chapter is short due to the fact that it is a weekend and I will be very busy for the rest of the day. I decided to post it because it marks the return of a slightly darker and more vengeful Erik to the story. I took the Fan fiction out of the title hopefully everyone found it. I might change the title completely but haven't thought of an appropriate one. I am trying to get a lot accomplished before I head to Florida next Saturday. Erik thanks you for your obedience Akasha.

Chapter 38

The Daroga slipped out of the drawing room when Erik did not show up quickly. He had noted the blood dripping down Phillipe's chin, the Comte's remark that Erik might need a change of clothing and of course his reference to "Guy's suite" and despite his early bravado about Erik's ability to kill all of Philippe's men, he knew that even Erik would have trouble facing group of the Comte's men particularly without his Punjab lasso or a gun. When Philippe sent for a servant to relay the message to release Erik, he quickly followed and waited, hiding himself behind a door.

He could hear the voice of a man cruelly taunting Erik. "You will taste the wrath of the guillotine very soon unless the Comte decides to take care of you before we turn you over to the gendarmes. You are one ugly bastard Monsieur Fantome." The man mocked. He could hear a door open and the servant enter. He could hear the nervousness in the servant's voice.

"The Comte has sent me to order the release of this man immediately and bids me to escort him to his room for a change of clothing."

Nadir could hear the disappointment in the other man's voice. "Why did the Comte change his mind? We were just getting ready to make the man look exactly like the newspaper reports by shaving his head and wrecking the other side of his face. I was looking forward seeing the results of my artistry."

The servant spat "This man has stayed with us for the past few weeks and has been nothing but kind. You have already whipped his back. You are a nothing but a sadist and I don't know why the Comte would employ you."

The man growled "This man injured two of my men and the Comte. You had better watch what you say to me or I will replace him with you and you can look just like what I would have made him to be."

"Well unfortunately for you, you will not have the chance to lay your hands on either of us." The servant retorted angrily "You disgust me and disgrace the Comte's fine old family name by committing such crimes. I will be reporting this behavior to the Comte, the Vicomte and the Vicomte's lady mother."

The other man sneered "Who do you think ordered me to render my services to this monster? It was the Comte himself who is the head of the De Chagny family, and your employer."

"I was hired by the Comte's late father and he was an honorable man like the Vicomte, he would never have condoned such behavior no matter what the man's face or crimes were. He is not the monster, you are." The servant said with indignation. "Now release him to me now, and leave me alone with him."

"Very well." The man sneered "but I will remember your attitude towards me."

The servant replied "I have no problem with that may God have mercy on your black soul."

Nadir could hear the noise of manacles being released and the door clanging shut. The Comte's henchman mutter to his confederate "That servant is arrogant I would love to take him down."

The servant turned to Erik "I am sorry for what they have done and would have done to you Monsieur. These men are without honor."

Erik replied "Thank you good sir, I will remember your kindness towards me. What is your name?"

The servant replied "Michel Lafontaine Monsieur, I am in the employ of the Comtesse, not the Comte, I will inform the Comtesse of your treatment she will be appalled. She bid me to tell you that you and your fiancé are in grave danger and that she is leaving you the means to escape. In the meantime come with me."

Satisfied that the Comte's men had left them Nadir revealed himself, from his hiding place. He found Erik's clothing to be torn and bloodied and the marks from several lashings appeared on his back. His face was bared and his mask was discarded in the corner, along with his cloak and jacket. Erik looked at him and he could see the murderous gleam in his stormy green eyes.

Erik welcomed him mockingly in Persian "Daroga, it appears that we are back in Persia once more, that man would be highly prized by the Khanum although he lacks my more merciful qualities."

He motioned to Michel. "This good man, has advised me to leave, I believe that I have outstayed my welcome here. I concur but I might want to take care of business here. I believe that this Chateau needs a new Comte perhaps I might arrange another "disaster" before I go."

If Nadir did not know Erik so well, he would have thought that Erik had spoken in jest, but Nadir knew Erik quite well and could read the threatening sneer in his tone. This was the Phantom's voice. The man formerly known as the "Angel of Death" In the Persian's long experience with Erik's moods he knew that most people who Erik wished dead would soon end up that way. He still had much to tell Erik about some information that had come into his possession while Erik had been speaking to his sister but he wanted to wait until they were alone. He did not trust this Michel completely even if he seemed to be sympathetic. He was still in the employ of a De Chagny.

Nadir still addressed Erik in Farsi "Doostam, Let us go to your chambers and we will talk more when you are cleaned up. I have much to discuss with you."

Erik agreed and resumed speaking in French to the servant requesting. "Please pack the bags of Mademoiselle Daae, Nadir and myself, and do so without alerting anyone else to what you are doing. We are going to take your mistress' word and leave this Chateau tonight, without any warning to the Comte."

Michel spoke to Erik softly and earnestly "You may count on me and my wife to help you in any way that we can Monsieur. We bear no loyalty to the Comte at all, we believe that he is responsible for the disappearance of our daughter; we believe that he murdered her. I am telling you this because I want you to know that you can trust me. You may ask the Comtesse if you do not believe me."

Erik looked at the servant gently "I believe you. You have seen my face and have shown no revulsion for me, that in itself shows me that you are indeed a good man. I am sorry about your daughter and the Comte's role in killing her." He added menacingly "You will have your justice for what he has done, I promise you that."

Michel looked at Erik earnestly "It is a pleasure and an honor to know you Monsieur le Fantome. You are a most admirable man."