A/N: This is a short chapter but will fuel the story along. We are quickly coming to an end. Once again, we would like to thank you, the patrons, for reading and reviewing. We hope that you have enjoyed the story as much as we have enjoyed telling it. Please, watch for a new Phantom story in the very near future.

Enjoy this chapter. Read and review as always. And once again, the stage is yours.

With much love,

Angelina

Chapter 47 – The Embrace of the Phantom

"To the left, Arnaud!"

Meg watched as Arnaud nearly fell off of the ladder. The cross was hanging crooked on the back stage wall. None of the stage hands could get it right. Arnaud was making sure that the plans she had were made perfect.

"I am moving it to the left!"

"Now you have gone too far…"

"Meg, please…we have been at this for almost an hour."

She heard laughter behind her. Turning, Meg watched as Angelina and Gabriella sat amongst the empty chairs, watching the chaos ensue on the stage.

"Are you not to be practicing, girls?"

"We have, several times."

"Practice again."

"Yes, Madam Giry." They both stood and quickly ran out of the room – laughing along the way.

"Meg, I believe that this is the closest you are going to get."

Arnaud climbed off of the ladder and looked at the cross looming in front of him. He watched as Meg stood long side of him.

"It is still crooked."

"No one will notice."

"I will."

"Then, my dear…" Arnaud kissed her on the forehead and drew her near to him. "…you must suffer. It cannot be any straighter than it already is."

"Then I must suffer." Meg sighed. "Arnaud…"

"Yes?"

"Have you noticed anything strange about Angelina?"

"No. Should I have?"

"She seems awfully happy." Taking his hand, Meg pulled Arnaud off to the side – giving them privacy. "She continues to go to the chapel every morning and to pray for Alexander."

"I do not see anything wrong with that."

"That is the least of it. She has been seen practicing all hours of the night. There are times she is up before the sun rises."

"She is a dedicated dancer."

Meg did not believe Arnaud was hearing a word she was saying. "There is someone else."

"Someone else?"

"I believe she is seeing someone."

"She is a young woman. I am sure many suitors will come knocking on her door. She has written to Jonathan – breaking off their engagement."

"She still has the ring."

Arnaud shook his head. "That does not matter. She is no longer in love with Jonathan. Leave her be, Meg. She is happier than I have ever seen her."

"No one has seen her suitor."

"They wish to remain private. Let it be…before you wind up in more trouble than it is worth."

Meg felt Arnaud's gentle touch and kiss before leaving her. She stood in the wings of the stage and watched as everyone around her continued about their business. Meg's heart filled with dread. She did not know who Angelina continued to see night after night. At first, she had come to the conclusion that it had been Rene. But several dancers had told her that Rene had been seen with a beautiful young woman in a local restaurant.

Thoughts seemed to consume her. Angelina was her responsibility. Meg hoped that Angelina was not using her new found freedom as a way to cause more trouble as she did in her youth. Christine had a hard time bringing Angelina into her status as a high standing member of society. Angelina had always shunned that part of her. All she wanted was to be a dancer – nothing more, nothing less.

Beginning toward the dormitories, Meg made a silent vow to herself…

I will find out who Angelina has been sneaking around with. Whoever it is, they must reveal themselves. Angelina must be protected – at all costs.

Angelina stretched. Her legs ached and felt as though they would not support her if she stood.

"How long must one stretch? You have been practicing all day."

Slowly looking up, Angelina smiled as she looked into Erik's iridescent eyes. She stood; making sure her legs would not give way.

"My legs are tired. I was making sure that they would hold my weight."

Erik smiled as he watched Angelina continue to stretch. "I asked you here tonight for one specific reason."

"Which is…?"

"Do you know who wrote this new opera?"

"Someone with talent. I have read the music. It is spectacular."

"I am glad you like it."

Angelina looked at Erik quizzically. "You have seen it?"

"I have written it."

Erik laughed as Angelina's mouth gaped open. There were no words she could find to express how shocked she was.

"You are the composer?"

"Is it that hard to believe?"

"No, it is just that…" She looked at Erik, a smile still on his face. "…why would you?"

"I had a muse that would not relent."

Angelina blushed and turned from Erik. He smiled as she paced the stage.

"I want you to be perfect for this."

"I am not…Erik, I cannot do this."

"You were meant for the lead. I would have not have written it for you if you were not."

Her breath caught as she turned to him.

He is still smiling.

"Erik…"

"You would deny me?"

Meg looked over sheet music, barely avoiding inanimate objects as she walked backstage. Her mind was reeling from what was still ahead. There were costumes to oversee, dances that still needed to be perfected, and placement of everyone on the stage. It was too much for her to handle. The secret investor wanted everything perfect – he would accept nothing less.

"You were meant for the lead. I would have not have written it for you if you were not."

Meg's heart stopped as the sheet music floated to the floor.

"Erik…"

"You would deny me?"

Quickly moving behind the curtain, she looked out onto the stage. Angelina stood in front of a tall man…

…with a mask!

Meg stifled a scream as she watched Angelina freely talk with the Phantom.

"I am not denying you."

"Then why are you resisting this role?"

"Because I am not this woman. I cannot be."

"You fear her." He began to circle her – watching her as he did. "You fear her as you did with Aminta."

"I do not fear her."

"Then what is it?"

"I fear disappointing you."

"You will never disappoint me."

They stood, looking at each other for several moments before Erik began into the darkness.

"You need your rest."

"Yes…"

"Dream of your role. You belong in it."

Erik slid into the darkness – letting it surround him. Angelina sighed and began toward the dormitories.

Meg stepped out of her hiding spot and watched as Angelina seemed to skip toward her room.

It cannot be…

There had been rumors of the Opera Ghost lurking in the shadows. Meg knew he had taken care of Angelina after the incident when she had first arrived. She thought it was over – the obsession gone.

Angelina has fallen under his spell…

Rushing from the stage, Meg knew what she had to do. It was her responsibility – her duty. She had to protect Angelina at all costs.

It is time.

Dearest Christine,

I write this letter to you with the utmost urgency. I have failed you. I have failed in protecting Angelina. I assure you that she is fine and in good health. But I fear that something worse than any illness has taken hold of her.

The Phantom of the Opera still exists. I do not want to alarm you, Christine. I did not want to have to do this. But I fear Angelina's life might be in danger. The Phantom has taken hold and Angelina has fallen under his spell.

Please come to Paris. I know you are still mourning over the loss of Alexander. I fear that you will lose Angelina soon if you do not come.

Tell whoever you must. Bring whoever you can. Angelina's life is in danger and I cannot stop what is already transpiring.

With All My Love,

Meg