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Erik

Elizabeth's dratted Aunt had proven herself to be worse then useless to me. She flatly refused to move against Cabartte. And Cabartte was steadily becoming a torn in my side. He knew that I was pulling DePerix's strings and somehow he must have realized that I would try to bring Maria back under my grip again as well.

I had listened quietly outside the small office that Maria was granted under her new position as "Head Maid" to her heated discussion with Cabartte.

"I don't know what you want with that damn girl! She has threatened to expose you and she has a will of iron," Maria had screeched, her voice echoing annoyingly about me.

"Then she must go," Cabartte had replied swiftly, his large face turning a deep shade of red in his anger. I narrowed my eyes at his response. Elizabeth Brett will go wherever I choose, not you, monsieur.

"Besides, it might be easier to convince her if she is outside of the opera's protection," Cabartte finished, clasping his palms together, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh yes, much easier indeed!"

"On another note," Maria began, tossing her heavy head proudly. "The Brett family has been flirting with disaster for months now! The eldest daughter, Renee, has been making advances with DePerix youngest son. She must go as well."

"It might be best to send all of them out. Yes, draft up the proper documents. We will send them packing tonight," Cabartte finished, rising to stand and gesturing for Maria to follow him.

"Now, let's discuss your dear Aloysia's, trip to Cannes," he drawled, leading her out of the room and out of earshot.

I leaned against the wall behind me. Lizzy was becoming a bigger issue then she was worth. If I could just manage to convince Maria Mason of her usefulness then perhaps I could buy her some time. Suddenly, an idea hit me. Yes, I thought, a smirk stretching across my lips, this will work very well indeed.

The letter fell lightly onto Maria's small desk, the death's head gleaming in the dim gaslight. Now, all I needed to do was to wait.

An hour or so later I had watched with satisfaction as Madame Mason's face grew pale, her hands shaking, her eyes peering about the room worriedly. I don't think I've ever seen a woman of her size move so quickly, still clutching the note tightly to her.

Lizzy, as I had expected, was not in the least bit thrilled by my suggestion. But it had managed to buy her family time. I had not intended to tell her of my involvement in the plan, or my calculated move to save both her and her family. However, the moment she had so passionately accused me of being "heartless," I found that I couldn't restrain my anger.

She had paused then, her bewilderment written all over her delicate features. And as soon as she looked up at me with such unabashed gratitude I instantly made to pull back from her. Angrily, I flung myself into the small chair by her bed, running my hands through my hair in my frustration. For some time I sat there, trying to justify to myself why I continued to give a damn about what happened to her or her family.

Unable to stand my warring thoughts any longer I rose to leave. The instant I shifted, Lizzy turned to me, her brilliant green eyes rising to meet mine. I felt myself drawn to her, like some distant lodestar, pulling me irresistibly forward.

My hand reached for her long neck, and I nearly groaned at its warmth. Her skin was as smooth as silk beneath my fingers and I found that I couldn't get enough of it. Her voice was like a distant echo to my ears. Teach?

"Erik, will you teach Sophie?" she asked again, trying to pull herself away. Suddenly snapped out of my stupor I looked at her. Her green eyes were shimmering darkly, her small chest heaving with her quickened breathing.

"Yes," I replied absently, watching her delicate, pink tongue make a sensual pass over her lips. I raised my hand to her chin and ran my fingers over her neck once more, trying to ignore her moan of pleasure. I wanted nothing more then to take her again.

How the devil had this woman done this to me?

I left her with a quick word of warning, hoping that for once she would err on the side of caution while she was away.

Elizabeth

As soon as I had finished packing I hurried back into the laundry room, determined to finish my chores as swiftly as possible. Aloysia's dresses were the first to go into the steaming vat of water. If I played my cards right with Aloysia, I might just be able to convince her to allow me to come home early. There would be plenty of maids at the hotel where we were staying and she could have her pick from them for the duration of the Season.

I worked rapidly, hardly noticing the scalding water as I scrubbed my way through the pile of clothes. Soon, the line outside was filled to the brim with shirts, dresses, and pants. As I finished hanging the last of the petticoats on the thin wire I watched the late evening sun sink beneath the top of the opera house, the warm, pink rays bathing everything in an ethereal glow.

A low scraping sound interrupted my peaceful revere. I turned on my heel, fully expecting to see Erik standing there. But there was no one.

The large stables had dimmed into a forbidding darkness and hesitantly I moved to peer into the inky blackness. My boots tapped softly on the stones and I reached out to grab the small lantern that I had thankfully brought out with me.

My hand had just closed around the small metal handle when a rough pair of hands grabbed me. In my panic I dropped the lantern, cutting out the only light source available to me.

Instantly, I began to kick and struggle against my invisible assailant. As soon as my boot made contact with a pair of legs, the hands released me. Gasping, I tried to move past but I found myself gripped tightly again, and was shoved roughly into one of the stalls.

I tried desperately to wiggle my way out of this terrifying stronghold, but his grip was too powerful. My captor had pulled back from my kicking feet and soon had me pinned to the back wall.

"Stop it! Stop it!" I finally screamed, hoping that my pleas would reach someone.

"That's right," his voice was rough but the instant it reached my ears, I knew with out a shadow of a doubt who was accosting me. Cabartte.

"Let me go!" I screamed again, my panic rising. I twisted against his hold and began to try and kick at him again.

"It's always nice when they put up a fight," Cabartte, continued his breath hot on my cheek. "But this might not be so bad after all. You might even enjoy this; now be still." One of his large hands released me and began to grope at the shoulder of my dress. The moment I felt his hand leave my arm I began to fight against him violently, but to no avail, his grasp was too strong.

I heard my dress rip and felt Cabartte's large hand pull against the open fabric, exposing my corset.

"There now," he began, his fingers beginning to pull on the long strings that held the thick whalebone together.

"Help!" I screamed and was instantly stifled by Cabartte's hand grabbing my face roughly, causing my head to hit the wall viciously. Stars sprung up before my eyes and I slumped forward heavily.

There was a loud scraping noise as the heavy door of the stall was flung back with brutal force. Cabartte turned to face the noise, letting go of my shoulders. As soon as he let me loose I scrambled past him, my vision blurry.

"Who the devil is there?" Cabartte yelled from behind me. But whoever had decided to rescue me remained silent, and Cabartte began to yell again.

"Who is there? I demand that you show yourself! Do you have any idea who I am?" His voice was raspy in his obvious shock. Slowly, I made my way back out into the dark stable-yard tripping over my discarded lantern. I raised my arms in front of me to break my fall, when suddenly another pair of strong hands lifted me back to my feet.

The rich smell of incense filled my senses and I gladly allowed Erik to gather my trembling form to him. His hands were surprisingly gentle as he lifted me into his arms and wordlessly he carried me toward one of the large stalls, pausing only to flick the mechanical switch that would lead us into his dark world of passageways.

His steps were silent as he walked through the hallway but I could feel his intense gaze on my face. Despite my efforts, tears began to fall down my face and I buried my cheek against his shoulder, shuddering with my emotions.

Erik halted and reached out to push the panel that led to my small bedroom open. He swiftly stepped into the room and tenderly deposited me on my bed and turned to sit in a nearby chair, running his fingers through his thick chestnut hair.

"You must be careful, Lizzy," he said softly. I whipped my head up to look at him. How am I not being careful? I don't have the luxury of being able to hide behind secret walls whenever I choose!

"How am I supposed to predict something like that, Erik?" I snapped, my hurt and fear giving way to anger, an anger that instantly turned on him. "Do you think I want to be assaulted by Cabartte? Do tell me, Erik, how am I supposed to be careful about that?" I sat up, furiously wiping my tears away from my face.

For a long moment Erik was silent, his face as hard as his mask, his eyes burning into me. He seemed to be fighting with himself; half of his body prepared for flight, the other determined to stay.

"This has happened before, Elizabeth. You must learn to be aware of your surroundings," he replied coldly.

"What am I supposed to do?" I cried, burying my face in my hands. "I'm a maid. The man can do what he wants to with me!"

"I'm not denying that fact. I'm telling you to keep your eyes open. If you are unprepared for - "

"How am I supposed to prepare myself for something like that?" I cut him off, rising to my feet in my fury.

"Elizabeth, sit down," Erik replied dangerously, moving to stand. "You've hit your head. It won't do to have you incoherent in the morning."

"It won't do?" I snapped back, taking a step toward him and suddenly finding the world spinning about me. I staggered back, my hand groping for something to help me keep my balance. Immediately, Erik's strong hands pulled me to him and he gingerly lowered me back onto the bed.

"Stay still," he said, his voice low.

"Why is this happening to me? And, why did you help me?" I asked, looking up at him. "I thought that - "

"I don't know," Erik replied simply, his voice soft. He was clearly puzzled by his actions. He slowly raised his eyes to mine, and I suddenly found my heart pounding wildly against my chest. His eyes were a light blue, shimmering slightly in the dim light. For a moment we just stared at one another.

"Thank you," I said quietly, turning my face from his, tears beginning to fall down my cheeks. Erik's gloved hand reached out to wipe away a few of the tears and I leaned into his cool palm.

"You must be careful," Erik, whispered, his voice thick with some emotion. Gently, his pulled his hand away from me and rose to his feet. "Lay down for a few hours," he continued, turning back to me for a moment. I looked up at him, his whole body seemed to be slumped forward and I found that I wanted nothing more then to pull him back to me.

"Erik," I called softly and he slowly raised his eyes to mine. The blue orbs were gleaming with what looked like pain and I felt my tears rising again. I turned my head away and heard his low sigh as the panel smoothly opened on its small track.

His rich sent slowly dissipated from the room and I shivered. I turned back to the empty corner where he once stood. Please, Erik, please don't do anything careless while I'm away. She doesn't love you, but, for some reason, I do.

Erik

It had taken all of my strength not to kill him. I could feel myself burning with my intense rage, my clinched fists itching to fling him off her and rip him to pieces before my eyes.

It had been a pure accident that I found myself wandering about the stables. As soon as I left Lizzy in her room I had wandered down to my home, wanting nothing more then to drown out my conflicting emotions in my music.

I depressed the keys roughly beneath my fingers, trying to will the notes into my very being. A few hours later I disgustedly threw the musical score that I had been working on away from me.

Music had never before failed me. It had never left me alone, never refused to be molded under my willing hands. But, for the first time, my music denied me comfort.

Silently fuming I entered my bedroom, pausing only to pick up my violin, tuning the thin strings under my long fingers. How could this affect me so much? Is it really possible that I care for her? Is it possible that – No! Her departure will give you ample time to begin the plan.

Now, here she was, not even out of the safety of the opera house, and under the threat of rape from that bastard. Clinching my teeth I decided to focus my aggression on the large stable door beside me. My gloved hands gripped the wood tightly and I pulled back, hearing the ripping metal hinges pull apart loudly.

Cabartte instantly stopped his assault, wheeling to peer into the darkness. Out of habit I moved my body further into the welcoming black. His large face was slack in his shock and I took a calculated step toward him, pulling my Punjab lasso from the inner fold of my cloak. With him dead half of my troubles will be over.

I hadn't expected Lizzy to come tearing past me. Instantly, I replaced the lasso and turned to follow her. Cabartte had hit her head roughly against the wooden back of the stable and if she didn't stop moving soon she would collapse.

Night had fully descended over Paris, but my cat-like eyes soon made out her slight form in the darkness. Then suddenly she tripped and I hurried over to her, pulling her shaking body close to mine. Somehow, she seemed to recognize me, her small arms clutching at my shoulders frantically.

I could hear Cabartte's courage beginning to rally once more and quickly bundled Lizzy into my arms, sweeping towards the safety of my hidden panel. As soon as we were in the narrow passageway I turned my head to study her trembling features. Her eyes were misted over with her unshed tears, and her face was deathly white. Lizzy seemed to sense that I was peering at her and pressed her face against my shoulder, her sobs racking her willowy form.

The moment we entered her room she went on the attack. Somehow, I managed to contain my own anger as I tried to calm her. But, Lizzy was having none of it. Then, out of nowhere, she asked the question that I had been trying to fathom for months now.

"Why do you care?" she asked, her voice breaking under her tears. I looked up at her, self-hatred coursing through me. Why do you care, Erik? She's not Christine. She should mean nothing to you.

"I don't know," I replied softly, watching her face wilt under my callous answer. She had thanked me, but I wanted nothing more then to be as far away from her as possible. This woman will drive me mad!

That evening I decided to travel down towards the kitchens, hoping to sneak some food for my small pantry. After three years of bending and scraping for the smallest scrap of nutrients, I hated finding my larder empty. To my surprise all of the Brett family seemed to be gathered in the large space. I moved to stand behind the large mirror and slowly tried to take in the quaint domestic scene that was before me.

Lizzy was walking slowly around the kitchens with her elder step-sister, hanging wet garments while her step-mother was reading some of Shakespeare's sonnets aloud to them. Sophie and Madeline were sitting contentedly in front of the large fire, their heads close together, listening intently.

I remained behind the mirror for some time. The sonnets soon switched to some of Emily Dickenson's dark poems and I found myself enraptured by their easy companionship. This is a family, I thought bitterly, unwittingly recalling my own mother in my quiet reverie. This, is something that I can never have.

Silently, I moved to walk back towards my home. You will never belong. My mind chanted endlessly, echoing my dull footsteps on the stone.

Later that night I found myself in Lizzy's small bedroom once more. Her white cat greeted me silently, its purrs rumbling deep in its chest as I sat down on the chair, moving my newest composition onto my lap.

Lizzy was curled tightly under her thick blankets, her long hair falling softly about her. Despite my best intentions, I reached for one of the thick waves, pulling it tenderly through my long fingers. Lizzy stirred at the movement and I allowed my fingers to trace the contours of her face.

She moaned softly, moving her body unconsciously toward my hand. With a low sigh I removed my hand and picked up my pen, trying once more to compose. The notes came to me slowly and I dutifully took them down, trying to wash Lizzy, and the events of the day from my mind.

Lizzy began to stir around four in the morning and I swiftly made my exit, letting her white cat drop unceremoniously from my lap. My feet were beginning to take me toward my subterranean home once more when a thought crossed my mind. It had swayed Christine to me. Perhaps it would also remind Lizzy to remain loyal to me on her trip abroad.

*******

Lizzy was too busy directing the coachmen on where to place Aloysia's multitude of trunks to notice my gloved hand alighting stealthily over small bag.

I dropped the fresh rose onto her trunk delicately, watching the black ribbon flutter in the fall, before landing on the handle. When Lizzy turned to collect her belongings she looked at the small rose, puzzled by its sudden appearance. She lifted the delicate rose to her, one of her fingers lightly tracing the long ribbon. One of the coachmen stepped toward my hiding place and I instinctively moved further back. To my astonishment, Lizzy caught the minute movement of the light and looked toward me, a knowing smile spreading across her lips.

Satisfied that my message had done its work I moved back into the opera house, making my way towards the large rose window that overlooked the small square. I wove my way past the multiple beams and finally reached a small spot where I could easily look out the window.

A few hours later, the small carriage wound its way around the square and slowly rolled out of sight. I leaned heavily against one of the beams, a deep pang of – remorse – washing over me. Giving a low sigh I tenderly pulled a long envelope out of my vest pocket, admiring the wax death's head. I smiled grimly at the little skull, and turned my thoughts to this new plan, successfully quelling my tumultuous emotions. It was time for my Angel to return to me.