A/N: I'm changing this format a little. My muse has become incessant about speaking. He's grown jealous of my friend's fic (EverspringNative's 'A Heart That Bleeds') and how he is able to speak. So, before I bow to both of my muses…I would like to thank you all for your comments. Please keep them coming. And now…a word from just one of my muses…

In keeping with the format of Phoenix's comments, I would like to thank you all for reading about us in this tale of a monster and his angel. There is still much story to be told. And I know you are all anxious for me to reveal to Angelina that I love her. All in good time. I torture dear Phoenix as much as I torture you. Hopefully, my dearest Angelina will not be reading this. Enjoy the chapter. Both Phoenix and I would love for you to read and review.

With much love,

Erik

P.S. The Russian will get his due…

Chapter 36 – Into Safe Arms

Her room became cold and dark by the time she had returned to the dormitories. It had been a grueling day of rehearsals and on top of that…

Angelina shuttered at the thought of Mikhail Vasilev's arms around her. The man frightened her to the point of wanting to cry. She had felt safer in Rene's arms but knew that he would not be there the next morning.

She needed to tell Erik but her pride stopped her. The funding for the newest opera would be lost if she protested Mikhail's advances. Meg and Arnaud assured her that it would all be over soon.

Entering the room, she noticed a crack in the mirror.

He has been here…

Quickly moving inside, she noticed a letter on her bed. Lighting a candle, she sat down upon the bed and gently opened the seal. His writing seemed to have been frantic and uncontrolled. It began to worry Angelina.

Dearest Angelina,

I write to you tonight in the hopes that you will come see me before you turn in. I wish to speak with you about an urgent matter. Come to the lair as soon as you receive this. I will await your presence.

Erik

Something was definitely wrong. He did not even sign 'yours always'. It troubled Angelina and made her heart race. She was unsure if she wanted to know what was worrying him so. But she would journey down the winding staircase to find out the problem that haunted him.

Angelina stood on the edge of the water and looked about the lair. Erik was not sitting at his organ.

Something is truly wrong…

"Erik?"

"Who is Mikhail Vasilev?"

His voice echoed throughout the cavern and made the water ripple. Angelina's heart stopped at the sound of the new financier's name. She knew that Erik would eventually hear of him. The time was too soon. Angelina did not have enough time to think of something to tell him.

Does he know of what happened today?

"The new financier."

"And what is his interest in the opera?"

"None."

Angelina watched as the velvet curtain, to his private room, was pulled back. Erik leaned against the rock, watching Angelina with keen interest.

"Are you lying?"

"Why would I have reason to lie?"

"What is his interest in the opera?"

He knows!

"Beyond financing, I do not know."

Erik began toward her. He was disheveled and unkempt. Angelina had never seen him look so out of place before. His shirt was missing as were his shoes. He was more casual then ever. His jet black hair looked as though it had braved a wind storm. As Erik became closer to her, she began to notice the bloodshot eyes.

"Erik, what has happened to you?"

"Does he have an interest in the opera's lead singer?"

"Rene?"

"No…" He finally stepped in front of her and looked at her frightened face. "…you, Angelina. Does he have an interest in you?"

"I…"

Erik watched as her frightened look turned to a humiliated look. Quickly turning away from him, Angelina tried to think of some excuse to give.

"There is no interest, Erik."

"You are certain?"

"Yes."

Angelina was trying to deny everything and it pained Erik to know that she did not trust him enough. He wanted to protect her – at all costs.

"Angelina, I want an honest answer."

"Please, Erik, every answer I have given has been honest."

"No, it has not."

Sobs racked her body as tears began to form. Angelina wanted to not only protect the opera but Erik as well.

"I know he has touched you…"

Tears spilled down her cheeks. Frightened, she slowly turned around and looked at Erik.

"…and wants you to dance for him tomorrow morning."

"Erik…"

"Why could you not tell me?"

"I did not…I did…" She could not speak. "I could not…"

Before she could fall to her knees, Erik caught her in his strong arms. He held her against his chest as hot tears burned his flesh.

"Please, Erik…do not make me tell you."

"It is not your responsibility to save the opera. You do not have to dance for him."

Looking at him, through tear filled eyes, Angelina shook her head. "Arnaud is depending on me. I am the lead singer. I must support the opera any way I can."

"That does not mean your innocent soul must pay the price."

The words Erik spoke made her feel even worse. She knew they were meant to make her feel better but they had the opposite effect.

"I have to continue, Erik. There is no one else left to fund the opera. Jonathan withdrew his funding. Monsieur Vasilev is the only man who can do this."

Erik's hand on her cheek made her weep even harder. It was gentle and sweet. She pressed her cheek against his hand, not wanting to lose the feel of it.

"I will fund the opera."

"How?"

"I will find a way." There was a long pause. "I do not want you to dance for him tomorrow."

"How can I not?"

"Claim you are ill. Think of something that would not allow you on stage."

"Arnaud will not understand."

"He will understand, Angelina. He already knows how uncomfortable you are with this man. Arnaud is not the type of man to force you to do something you do not wish to do."

"This will not help my reputation. I will have a black mark all over Paris."

"Let your reputation be damned! Paris is not your concern." Placing both of his hands on her face, Erik made her look at him. "You are my concern, Angelina. You are not safe when you are around him."

Although Angelina had felt safe in Rene's arms when Mikhail was around, she felt safer in Erik's.

"I will move heaven and earth to protect you. Hell itself will not keep me at bay."

Angelina wrapped her arms around Erik's waist. He felt as though he would be deprived of all oxygen by how tight she was holding him. Erik did not care. He knew she felt safe with him and it made him even more determined to see that she was not harmed.

"Be there tomorrow morning, Erik. I will dance for him but I will feel safer if you are there."

"You know I cannot be seen."

"I am to be the only one there with him. No one else will be there." Her eyes pleaded to him as she looked at him. "Please do not leave me alone with him."

"You wish to dance for him?"

"I wish to keep the funding for the opera. I have no choice."

"I will fund it."

"I will not have you fund an opera that you have no part of."

"I have a part in it…" He smiled at her. "…you."

Her eyes could not look at him any longer. She was ashamed of what she would have to do. But there was little choice. She could not have Erik fund the opera. It was not his place. But it made her feel loved when he told her she would be the reason to fund it.

"But if you wish to do this, then I will find a way to protect you."

"Thank you." Standing on tiptoes, Angelina put her lips to his unmarred cheek and gently kissed it. "Thank you for everything."

"I would do anything for you, Angelina. But you need to promise me that next time you have a problem, you will tell me."

She nodded her head and smiled. "I will not hold back from you any longer."

Holding out his hand, Angelina took it. "Then come. I must return you to your room. You must be well rested for tomorrow morning."

Before they could begin up the stairs, Angelina finally got up the courage to ask the question she had been wanting to.

"Erik?"

Looking back at her, Erik showed her his masked side. Emotions were playing out on his unmarred side. He would not show them to her.

"Yes?"

"What lengths would you go to, to protect me?"

Erik sighed, knowing the question would be posed. "The lengths I would have to, to ensure your safety. There is nothing I would not do, Angelina. Nothing."

Their eyes locked for what seemed like hours. Angelina knew that Erik would protect her but she was still unsure of how far he would go.

Erik had killed before and would not hesitate to do so once again. This served a purpose. Joseph Buquet and the dreadful Piangi furthered an obsession. Mikhail Vasilev would be for protection. No harm would come to Angelina while she was in his care. Hell would come to earth before he would let that happen.

They continued up the staircase with no more words spoken between them. The lingering silence only seemed to be an indication of what was to come.