Sinclair had left, and Erik was alone once again. He had paid close
attention to the Comte's words. The knowledge of Raoul's activities could
be a decided advantage if the need should happen to arise. No doubt it
would, and very soon. Erik could feel the tension in himself even, and he
also felt powerless. It was a feeling he could not stand. Luckily, he
would be in attendance at the Masquerade tonight. He had told no one, and
just planned to be a shadow lingering in the background, watching over
Christine, and becoming her Angel once again.
The lights in the foyer of the Opera were bright and cheery, and seemed to
seep into every nook and cranny. Even Erik had difficulty blending into
the shadow. He was not costumed, but was dressed in his usual immaculate
evening dress. He observed Christine come in on the arm of the Comte. She
was looking around the foyer for someone. He secretly hoped she was
looking for him, but knew it was probably just for an acquaintance. It was
hard enough to figure out who was who when everyone was in a mask. Except
for one person, Erik thought to himself. Everyone seems to know me with or
without my mask.
* * * * *
I sat on a settee in the corner, utterly worn out from the dancing and talking that had been going on. This Masquerade seemed so much more lively and exciting than the last one. Of course at the last Masquerade I hadn't really noticed much accept Raoul. I shuddered even thinking about that, then started when none other than Raoul came and sat down beside me. "Alain must not be a gentleman at all if he leaves someone as lovely as you sitting here all by yourself." "Oh, don't worry Raoul. Alain is only going to be gone for a moment. He is getting us some punch," I replied. "Ah yes, I can imagine that you would be thirsty. I've noticed that you two have danced every single dance together. That would be especially tiring. Don't worry though. I brought you some punch." "Is there a reason why you came over here Raoul?" I said, taking the cup and trying to disguise the anger building up inside me. Raoul sighed. "I apologize Christine. I have been absolutely horrible to you and.to you since that night. I beg your forgiveness." He had been horrible to me and who? "Who else have you been horrible to Raoul? You were about to say another name." I could only venture to guess who it would be. But then I couldn't believe it. Raoul's face suddenly hardened and he grabbed my wrist. Hard.
"Christine, you and I need to take a walk." His grip hardened and I let out a cry, when suddenly a dagger dropped and landed right between us. My head snapped up, but I saw nothing. Yet my pulse quickened. Only Erik could drop a knife that accurately without causing any harm. If he was defending me from Raoul then he obviously still cared for me! I took advantage of Raoul's surprise to get up and run. Luckily, my skirts did not inhibit my movement, and I was able to run quickly. I had just started running, with no plan whatsoever. That proved to be my undoing. A man was waiting . He hit me neatly across the jaw, and the last thing I saw before going unconscious was Raoul standing over me with a look of triumphant satisfaction.
* * * * *
* * * * *
I sat on a settee in the corner, utterly worn out from the dancing and talking that had been going on. This Masquerade seemed so much more lively and exciting than the last one. Of course at the last Masquerade I hadn't really noticed much accept Raoul. I shuddered even thinking about that, then started when none other than Raoul came and sat down beside me. "Alain must not be a gentleman at all if he leaves someone as lovely as you sitting here all by yourself." "Oh, don't worry Raoul. Alain is only going to be gone for a moment. He is getting us some punch," I replied. "Ah yes, I can imagine that you would be thirsty. I've noticed that you two have danced every single dance together. That would be especially tiring. Don't worry though. I brought you some punch." "Is there a reason why you came over here Raoul?" I said, taking the cup and trying to disguise the anger building up inside me. Raoul sighed. "I apologize Christine. I have been absolutely horrible to you and.to you since that night. I beg your forgiveness." He had been horrible to me and who? "Who else have you been horrible to Raoul? You were about to say another name." I could only venture to guess who it would be. But then I couldn't believe it. Raoul's face suddenly hardened and he grabbed my wrist. Hard.
"Christine, you and I need to take a walk." His grip hardened and I let out a cry, when suddenly a dagger dropped and landed right between us. My head snapped up, but I saw nothing. Yet my pulse quickened. Only Erik could drop a knife that accurately without causing any harm. If he was defending me from Raoul then he obviously still cared for me! I took advantage of Raoul's surprise to get up and run. Luckily, my skirts did not inhibit my movement, and I was able to run quickly. I had just started running, with no plan whatsoever. That proved to be my undoing. A man was waiting . He hit me neatly across the jaw, and the last thing I saw before going unconscious was Raoul standing over me with a look of triumphant satisfaction.
* * * * *