Chapter Three


Erik's eyes blazed in the darkness when he heard the khanum's words. The shah would have her? His Christine? Never! If he couldn't keep her safe in his own arms, he'd relinquished her to that fool of a boy's, telling himself that she would be safe and happy. How on earth could she be safe if the boy didn't even know someone would be after her.

"Patience, Erik," Nadir's voice sounded in his ear.

"I am not a patient man."

"So I've come to find out. I will go about what needs to be done if you wish to watch over her, but pleased, Erik, don't stir up trouble where it is not needed."

"Trouble?" Erik responded, a mischievous sound in his voice. "When do I cause trouble?"

"Constantly."


"You've been fidgeting since the beginning of the opera, Christine, are you all right?" Raoul asked, concerned.

"I feel as if… we're being watched. It's nothing."

Raoul stood, eyes blazing with unmasked hatred. "He might be watching!"

"No… Well, perhaps, but that's not what it feels like. I just have a horrible feeling about what is to become of this."

"What do you mean, love?"

"It's just-" A knock on the wood next to the curtain of the private box caused the young lady to drop off the end of her sentence, jumping slightly.

Raoul stood. "Yes?" He pulled back the curtain to reveal a nearing-middle aged man. A Persian. "May I help you?"

"I believe you can, Monsieur. You may step out and let me escort your fine lady out this evening."

The Vicomte looked indignant for a moment. "Excuse me, sir, but who are you to be making that sort of request?"

The Persian lifted his chin a bit higher. "The shah of Persia makes no request, boy, but only demands. The girl will come with me."

"I don't care if you're the shah of Persia or the king of England, my answer will be and will remain no. Christine will be leaving with me this evening."

"Raoul, what is it?" Christine asked quietly as she stood.

"Nothing, darling, just-"

"This is your last chance, Monsieur."

"I say no!"

"Very well," the shah answered as he waved his hand. A second man stepped from behind a curtain at the far right side of the box and grabbed Christine, one hand over her mouth and his other arm wrapped around her arms to keep her from flailing. She let out a muffled scream. "Monsieur, I assure you that if you step aside, Christine will be quite safe."

Raoul's eyes were wide as he stared at the shah, but then the blue orbs focused behind him. The shah turned to see one gloved hand coming from the shadows and latching itself to his neck, slamming him against the wall of the box. Erik loomed over him, eyes blazing in fury beyond what he had shown in the past year. "You will release Christine Daaè," he hissed lowly, hands till wrapped around the shah's throat, but eyes focused with a deadly intensity on the man holding Christine. "I assure you that I could snap his neck any time I wished."

The man who held Christine began to shake suddenly. "Angel of Doom," he managed to force through his trembling lips.

The shah chuckled. "So, Erik, you live after all. I shall be wanting that diamond cat collar back."

Erik pulled the shah back and slammed him into the box's wall once more. "Order him to release her."

The Persian man looked up at the man that had served him and his cocky expression turned to one of fear. "Release her."

The man dropped Christine unceremoniously to the floor and her knees buckled.

Erik let the shah drop as well and he gasped for breath. "You won't survive our next encounter, now that I know you are still alive."

"I shall be waiting for you," Erik responded coldly, watching the shah leave with his lackey. He turned back to Christine and Raoul. "Are you all right?" he asked the girl.

"Yes," Christine whispered. "Who… who was he?"

"The shah of Persia," Erik answered with a shrug.

"He really was?" Raoul asked, his face turning white. "My word…"

"You are both in grave danger now," the Phantom said lowly. "I suggest you leave the country."

Christine stood, brushing her dress off and fingering her mouth where the man's hand had been. "And what of you, Erik?"

"We've been asked to help the police," Nadir said as he stepped forward from the shadows. "I thought you would kill him."

"Very tempting, let me assure you," Erik responded.

Nadir nodded his understanding. The time was not yet right."He is correct, you know. You should both leave."

"But… We can't just leave you now!" Christine argued, walking quickly to where her phantom stood. She reached a hand up and touched his mask, eyes locked with his. "That man said he'd kill you."

"I've heard it man times," Erik said with a shrug, moving away from her lingering touch. "Go with your husband now and leave this place."

"He's not… we've not been married yet," Christine answered shyly.

Erik couldn't help but look up in surprise. Not married yet? Did that mean that there was something wrong in their fairy-tale ending? Perhaps… perhaps she was longing for something more than a childhood friend turned lover? No, don't be a fool, Erik! A fool is hurt much more.

Christine turned back to Raoul. "We can help, can't we, Raoul? Please say we can! Erik just saved us both."

"Need I remind you what he's done in the past?" Raoul growled. "No, if that man is after you I want you as far away from him as possible."

"But-"

"Christine, think reasonably."

"I am!" she cried. "Raoul, if you will not stay with me then I shall stay alone and you will never see me again!"

The Vicomte stood in shock. "Very well, Christine. We shall do what we can." He turned to Erik. "I say we have somewhat of a truce?"

Erik stared at the younger man's outstretched hand and then grasped it after what seemed like an eternity. "Yes. Somewhat of a truce then."

Nadir sighed. "Things just became far too complicated for my liking," he grumbled, took out his notepad, and scribbled down some notes.