AN: "If I am the Phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so... If I shall be saved, it will be because your love redeems me." from the 1925 movie

Chapter 12: Phantom's Promise

Christine was watched from place to place and was brought to a dressing room. Antoinette presented her a rose.

" He is very pleased with you," she said

" My angel is he who is pleased?" Christine said

Antoinette nodded and said, " Very much so and there is another admirer that wishes you well."

Antoinette left and saw the young Vicomte coming towards the dressing room. She quickly made haste and entered her room, from there entered the cellars through the hidden door. Erik looked at her and she touched his face, she encouraged him to make his move now and not waste a minuet. Erik fled and heard the young Vicomte leave, he slid in the shadows and locked the door, he looked at Antoinette. She left the room through another door and there Erik's plan was set into motion.

Candles flickered and then went out scaring Christine. She stood up and went towards the door.

" Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave, young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" Erik's voice echoed

Christine turned around now in fear and yet comforted by this voice. Her angel was with her and had seen everything; it was now or never her chance to see him.

" Angel! I hear you! Speak- I listen…stay by my side, guide me! Angel, my soul was weak-forgive me…Enter at last, Master!" Christine called

Erik nodded, knowing he had captured her attention and slightly laughed.

" Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide! Look at your face in the mirror- I am there inside!" Erik exclaimed

Christine walked to the mirror and there before her eyes Erik appeared and she stared in fear as well as awe.

" Come to me," Erik said, " Come to me….I am your angel of music."

Christine walked closer and a hand reached out to her and there she touched his hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers and took her to his dreary lair. He watched her as she stared at him, her beauty captured Erik's eye. He brought her down to a boat and helped her in then pushed off. Never a second did she let her gaze fall from Erik's figure. Erik jumped off and tied the boat and with the flip of his wrist he removed his cloak. Christine looked at him and Erik looked at her and smiled with a nod.

" You have entered the kingdom which one is to pay homage to music…the music of the night," Erik said, " I as your king, of this palace of hopes and dreams."

Erik put out his hand to her, she grabbed it and Erik pulled her to him. He guided her away from the boat and led her to the organ.

" Since the moment I first heard you sing I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing for my music," Erik whispered

Erik looked at Christine and pulled her into his arms and turned her around. Her back against his chest and her head leaned against his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her.

" You are the Phantom of the Opera?" Christine said

" Am I?" he questioned

" You're the one who wears the mask and haunts the Opera Populaire," Christine whispered

Erik covered her eyes with his hand and whispered in her ear to close her eyes. He guided her towards a room and pulled back the curtain.

" Open your eyes," he whispered

She opened her eyes and looked at the beautiful room, she looked at him.

" You did this?" she asked

" For you," Erik whispered

Christine broke away from his hold and looked at the room. She found a beautiful dress which laid out for her and Erik watched her.

" Christine," Erik said

Christine stopped and looked at Erik. There was a softness to his eyes and she walked to him. Erik grabbed her hand and kissed it and Christine looked at him.

" You are in my kingdom," Erik said, " Feel at home…for this is your home now too."

" To live here?" she asked

" Yes, with your sultan," Erik said, " For I am the master of this beautiful palace and I have chosen my maiden."

" I can't," she whispered

" You will and that is that," Erik said

He turned away from her and Christine felt tears fall from her face.

" Why please?" she begged

" You will not argue with your sultan," Erik said

Christine turned away feeling she had lost her freedom. She looked at him as he fled to another room, she looked at the room.

" Who is this man? Who is this Phantom of the Opera?" she cried

Antoinette kissed Meg good night and Meg looked at her mother.

" Where is Christine?" Meg asked

" She will be staying in the suit of the opera house tonight…do not worry," Antoinette said

" Oh, I see," Meg said

" Sleep my darling," Antoinette said

Meg nodded and Antoinette left, Antoinette walked down the hall. She slipped through a hidden door, there she went down to the fifth cellar. She called to Erik and Erik looked around, then walked off.

" How is she?" Antoinette asked

" She is a sleep, she is very tired," Erik said, " I will keep her for four days and not one day less. Those fools who run my theater will be missing her."

" Do you truly believe she will love you?" Antoinette asked

" Is there doubt?" Erik said, " I can give her anything."

" Do be careful my friend," Antoinette said

Erik looked up hearing a chime and Erik looked at Antoinette.

" Someone is here, they must not find Christine, please Antoinette find them before they come," Erik said

" As you wish," she said

Antoinette went up and found Meg wandering about. She grabbed her daughter's shoulder and led her back.

" I was trying to find Christine, Mama," Meg said

" She is in the suit, I have told you," Antoinette said

" But I heard voices….Erik's voice was filled with happiness…please Mama…let me see if he has found Christine," Meg said

" Erik is working," Antoinette said, " Come along."

Meg was escorted upstairs and Joseph Buquet was making fun of the Phantom. Her mother came and set him straight. Meg walked to the window and looked at Antoinette.

Erik played his organ and heard the sounds of Christine stirring. Erik continued as he heard a soft voice trying to remember what she experienced.

" In the boat there was a man," she said

Erik stopped and looked over his shoulder and saw Christine's beauty magnify in her flowing night gown. The candle light enhanced her beautiful features as she came to him. She smiled at him and touched his face and Erik leaned back as she did. She stroked his head and slightly embracing his lonely figure.

" Why do you hide Master?" she asked

Her hand slid to his mask and gently she removed the mask. Erik opened his eyes and quickly jumped up, pushing her back. He covered half his face and cursed her for becoming curious.

" Is this the face you wanted to see!" he exclaimed, " This repulsive pulp!"

He pulled down the sheets and looked at his face in the mirror, then turned away. He looked at her as she breathed deep.

" Mademoiselle, those who have seen this face are mine forever," Erik said

Christine felt tears fall from her face as he cursed his face. He came to his knees still holding half his face. She looked at him as he breathed, with unsettling tears, she reached over to him.

" I'm sorry," she whispered

She came to her knees and started to place the mask on his face. She looked at his disfigurement as she placed the mask on. Erik turned away and fixed it and then turned to her. Christine looked at him and Erik wiped her tears from her face, then rose.

" Four days Mademoiselle," Erik said, " I assure you in four days your life will change and so will mine. If I am the Phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so... If I shall be saved, it will be because your love redeems me."

Christine looked at him as he turned away from her.

" A name…please a name," Christine piped

" Those who know me, know me as Erik," Erik replied

Erik walked to his organ and played a piece of music and Christine looked at him.

" What are you playing?" she asked

Erik covered the piece of music and turned to her.

" You will not hear such music until it is finish….I shall triumph and become the best composer in time," Erik said

" I wish you well, but play for me Phantom," she said

Erik picked up a classical piece and began to play for her. She sat beside him, with out disgust. Erik looked at her and then turned away.

Erik's gift of music brought Christine joy and fear, but she wanted her freedom. She was yearning to see day light. Erik watched Christine wander his palace and he would return with a feast for her.

" Christine, I have brought you a feast," Erik said, " A feast fit for a queen."

Christine walked out of her room, her hair was pulled back and she wore a dress that was laid out. She thanked him and Erik walked to her and came to his knees.

" What is wrong?" he asked

" Erik, please I wish to leave, it's been two days and I am feeling ill," she said

" You are not well?" Erik said, " Then let it be done."

Erik sighed and led her to a chair and he knelt down beside her.

" What I give to you is a gift from me to you," Erik said, " You will see that I truly am what you desire….you will see me where you go."

Erik pulled a golden ring and slipped it on Christine's right finger.

" A wedding band?" Christine said

" Yes, though you wear it on your right, this is our friendship dear Christine….allow me to be your guardian for as long as you wear this band, but woe on you if you lose such a gift. If you wear it on your left finger than I know that you truly will care for me. I will never let you fall from your pedestal," Erik said

Christine knelt down beside him and hugged Erik and Erik embraced the young girl. He took in her sweet sent and then led her across the opera house to her room. Erik helped her down from the window and Christine looked at him.

" Shadow, oh shadow," she whispered, " What name do I call if I am to see you often as you wish?"

" Seek the back way through your mirror and there the chimes will not be set off…I will know you are friend and not foe," Erik said, " Seek the name that was spoken and all will be well, for Erik is your protector none other will help you."

Erik fled and Christine found herself over whelmed by the events of two days. She fell faint in her bed and there taken ill by those who found her.