Emma-J-Riddle- THis is what is happening! Just read it and stop dancing!

Maska- Don't worry... Erik will not be hurting the lovely Christian again. I like regulat updates too, and don't worry, I just have to type the rest up, it's all writen, just sitting in my notebook.

Littledaae323- Yay new reader! And don't you worry! I will go at my own damn pace and no one can stop that.

Goddess of the Nean Rose- Love your name! Yay, another new reader! I'm glad you like it, even though it's fluffy!

Keeper Music Night- I know, stupid pot holes! Mine keep taking me right out of Erik's arms and back into math class... damn them!


Chapter 18- The Face in the Mask

Rene had let Erik pull her into the mirror, and down into the corridor. She hadn't struggled at all, but when they reached a ledge halfway to the boat, she pulled her hand out of his grip, and he rounded on her, suddenly. She looked at him, with soft longing eyes.

He watched her cross over to the right side of him. She stood, holding herself, shuddering from the cold dampness of the caves.

"Erik, I'm so confused." she said, a tear welling up in her eye, and falling, undisturbed down her face. He pulled her to him, she let him. As she took a step to him, she tripped, yelping in surprise.

"I'm sorry." He said, letting go of her. She pulled him to her. She held him closely.

"Erik, why do you let the little things come between us?" She asked, pulling a hand to the bare side of his face. He pulled back again.

"Do you mean the mask!" He asked loudly. A look of hurt flashed over Rene's face.

"No, Erik. That wasn't what I meant." She said, turning from him.

Erik didn't know what to do. She stood, not facing him, her arms folded around her chest. He moved toward her. She hung her head, at his presence behind her. "I meant that you would let something so small as my tripping make you feel like you couldn't touch me."

She turned to him. "Rene… I…" He didn't have to finish.

"Erik," She raged, "I am not a china doll." She grabbed him. A shudder of sensuality thundering between them. "I won't break if you hold me too close."

They held each other for a moment. The tension between them so thick that it would have been unbearable to anyone else. A sound from behind her, ripped Rene from Erik's arms.

She turned to see Christian round a corner, and spot them, standing, Erik's hand around Rene's wrist. "Let go of her!" Christian yelled, coming at Erik.

Erik pushed Rene lightly out of the way. Christian lifted his sword and aimed for Erik's heart. Erik dodged the rapier, and caught Christian off guard, as he fell over, he grabbed for something to hold on to. He caught the porcelain mask, and pulled it violently from Erik's face. It flew several feet and landed at Rene's feet, shattering into several thousand pieces on the hard ground.

Erik quickly covered his face with his hand, but it was too late. Rene had seen him.