Paris, April 1881

Erik was becoming more and more agitated as they made their way to his home. It was becoming clear to Lisette that this was the first time he had truly felt the opera house was no longer under his control. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, pulling her close to him, and even hovering over her when they made their way across the underground lake.

When they arrived, Lisette was relieved to find his home silent and seemingly untouched. Erik wouldn't let her leave the small gondola until he had checked each room and thoroughly inspected each piece of furniture.

"I thought he would be here," Erik said, his eyebrows drawn together in confusion. Lisette knew by now that Erik's instincts were normally right. She glanced over her shoulder nervously as she got out of the small gondola. Erik flew to his bedroom, gathering some of his belongings.

"I have a dreadful feeling we may need to leave," he called to her. "It's only a matter of time before this place is revealed thanks to the Chagnys!"

He was so engulfed in his thoughts that he didn't notice when she slipped away. It seemed as if Erik had completely forgotten about his torture chamber in his mad search. While he had claimed to dismantle it, Lisette knew that he had never bothered to block off the "entrance" for accidental visitors. She tiptoed down the hallway before throwing aside the heavy curtain that allowed a glimpse into the chamber.

Her stomach dropped as she saw two figures lying in heaps at the base of the chamber. She immediately recognized Nadir, who was now dressed in traditional oriental clothes. There was another man lying beside him who she recognized as the viscount! She could easily see that the chamber was working in full force as both men were gleaming with sweat.

"Erik!"

He was by her side in an instant.

"We have to get them out!" she cried. However, Erik's face hardened as he turned away from the chamber.

"We'll leave them," he said.

"What?" she exclaimed. "But why? Erik, they'll die if you leave them there!"

"Serves that traitor right," he said, nodding to Nadir. "How dare he lead the vicomte here! Does he not know that his brother will be right behind them?"

"Erik, please!" she said, but he only turned away and left her staring after him.

She remained glued to the small window, hearing the moans of the two men as the heat grew more and more intense. She was aware that Erik's paranoia was beginning to cloud his judgment, but she was not going to let him be framed for murder as he was with Joseph Buquet. She raced down to the nearest passageway, praying Erik hadn't heard her departure. The only way she knew of an escape from the torture chamber was a small trap door in the floor. Erik had shown her this many months ago when she had been too frightened to wander his passageways alone for fear of falling in once again.

The viscount and Nadir were talking, their voices strained and low, as she reached one of the walls of the torture chamber. She pounded the wall. "Nadir! Vicomte!"

"Who's there?" she heard Nadir say weakly.

"It's me! Lisette Geiger!" she cried. "Hold on, I'll get you out!"

She found the crawl space beneath the chamber. Summoning her courage, she got on her hands and knees, praying there wouldn't be any unwelcome creatures awaiting her. She grunted in frustration as she slowly made her way through the crawl space, feeling the skirt of her dress grow damp from the cobblestone floor and swiping at the many spider webs blocking her path. At last, her fingertips brushed a small door above her head. She released the latch and gave a mighty push.

Immense heat overwhelmed her as she popped her head into the chamber. The mirrors and their never ending reflection brought back the memories of when she had found herself in this dreadful place. Nadir, who was closest, struggled to pull himself into a sitting position from the floor.

"Lisette," he groaned, trying to wipe at the sweat dripping into his eyes.

"This way," she said, motioning to the door. "Erik doesn't know I'm doing this! We need to get you out as quickly as possible."

The two men followed her into the crawl space, Lisette leading them the opposite way she had come.

"You can cross on foot through the underground lake," she said. "If you move fast enough, I can preoccupy Erik so he doesn't realize you've escaped."

"We never should have come this way," the viscount moaned behind her. "He has too many tricks!"

"Why did you come here anyway?" she asked, finally reaching the end of the crawl space, thankful to be able to stand up straight again.

"To find Christine!" the viscount said. Now that they were free from the chamber, Lisette could see just how distressed the poor boy was. His blonde hair was sticking to his face and his fine clothes were ripped and torn.

Nadir hung his head. "I thought she might have been taken here. The vicomte was so distraught… I had to help."

"Why would Erik kidnap Christine and bring her here?" she said, anger growing in her voice. She glared at the viscount. "I'm afraid Christine has exaggerated Erik's infatuation with her. You have nothing to fear of the Opera Ghost… unless you linger here any longer."

She focused her attention on Nadir. "Erik is most displeased you brought him here. The vicomte knows too much as it is!"

"Then where is Christine?" the viscount said, his voice cracking with desperation.

Lisette took a step forward to answer, but Nadir grabbed her arm, forcefully pulling her back.

"What on earth—"

"My god," Nadir said, pointing behind her.

They were in a rather secluded area of the Opera House. Erik had not built into this portion of the underground lake and the two of them had rarely visited this place unless they were using an alternate route. When she turned, Lisette saw piles and piles of barrels leaning against the main wall. In fact, they seemed to lead all the way to Erik's home. Her eyes widened when she read the printed letters on them.

POUDRE À CANON

"Gun power?" the viscount said, taking a step backwards. "Your opera ghost is trying to kill us all!"

"No!" Lisette said. "Those were not here before! This is not Erik's doing!"

"Indeed, it is not," a menacing voice said behind her.