A/N: Dearest Readers,

And here begins the turn of events. I hope that you are continuing to read and leave feedback as always. Enjoy!

With much love,

Erik

Chapter 5 – An Unexpected Visitor

The large black leather chair sat close to the bay window in his study. He always moved it there as the night approached. The window was the only way he could see the world around him. The nightlife in New York City seemed to grow as the sun went down. The darkness always gave him a sense of being at home. He did not have a lair to travel down to any longer. All he had was his study to sneak away to and away from everything that had bothered him that day.

"Are you coming to bed?"

Erik looked toward the doorway and saw Angelina wrapped in a black silk robe. He spared no expense when it came to his family. They only received the best.

"In a little while."

Angelina sighed and walked over to the piano bench. She saw a copy of 'War and Peace' sitting on the bench next to her. Thumbing through it, she could feel Erik's gaze on her.

"You could not sleep, could you?" Erik asked with concern in his voice.

Angelina shook her head. "No. You know I cannot sleep without you beside me."

He smiled and held out a hand. She grasped it and let him draw her into his lap. His arms embraced her and she let her head rest on his shoulder.

"Why can you not tell me of the nightmares you have?"

"Because I do not want to burden you with that. They are just dreams, Erik."

"They are not just dreams if they will not allow you to sleep." He gently kissed her temple. "You have been like this for months."

"They will leave – in time," she said reassuring him.

Erik knew that the dreams would not fade. They had not been constant every night but Angelina had experienced them at least twice a week for almost three months. He had calmed her on more than one occasion by singing her back to sleep. Sweat had covered her brow and her heart beat had increased. He had Nicholas confer with several doctors and they had all said the same thing – bring her in for a check-up. Erik knew that Angelina would never allow herself to be examined for something so trivial.

"Will you sing a song from Carmen to me?"

Erik smiled and leaned in close to her ear. "Carmen will be performed on the Metropolitan Opera House stage."

Angelina's eyes went wide as she turned to him. "How do you know?"

"There was an article in the paper this morning. They are holding auditions for the lead female role…"

She shook her head. "I know what you are already thinking, Erik. The answer is no."

Angelina moved from Erik's embrace and sat down at the piano. It was old and worn but still played better than anything she had touched before. The organ that was in Erik's lair would always be better but the sound that escaped from the instrument that sat in front of her was a wonder. It had come with the house and Erik had tuned it himself upon discovery.

Her fingers hovered over the keys like a ghost would haunt a house. She had not played in months. It was a strain to find time to sit in the study and play. There was house work, laundry…all excuses as to why she would not play.

"Angelina, it is an amble opportunity…"

"I will not be auditioning." She let her fingers lightly touch the keys. "My answer is final."

"Your answer is never final." He rose from the chair and sat down next to her on the bench. "You have not sung on a stage since that night we left Paris." He sighed when he saw the sadness in her eyes. "Why would you deny yourself this?"

"Because I am a mother and a wife. I am no longer that young girl who dreamed of being a ballet dancer. I have duties to uphold."

"Duties be damned," Erik grumbled as he moved back toward the window. "I have never held you back, Angelina. If anything, I have encouraged you."

"I am not blaming you, Erik."

"Then why are you not going to audition for Carmen?"

Angelina had no answer. Ever since she had left Paris, she had found no need to sing on a stage. The childhood that she had was finished as soon as she had become pregnant with Elizabeth. Her days and nights had become occupied with tending to the newborn. She supported Erik in his composing as she raised their child.

"I have no answer, Erik."

He sighed, knowing that would be the answer that escaped her lips. "I wish for you to audition. If you do not get it, then at least you know you tried."

"For what purpose? Why are you so adamant about auditioning?" She looked at him as his gaze continued to watch the city below. "Did you fund the opera?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"In the hopes that I might see my angel on the stage one last time," Erik said solemnly. He turned and saw tears in Angelina's eyes. "You sacrificed your life because you loved me. I owe you everything, Angelina."

"I did not sacrifice my life. Is that what you have thought all of these years?" She watched him nod. "I grew up, Erik. That night I left with you from your lair, I grew up. I began a new life – a life with you."

"You would be a great opera singer now. You would be dancing on every stage from here to Paris. I have taken away that opportunity. You will never reclaim it."

Angelina turned away from his stare and let her fingers glide gracefully over the ivory keys. She would give him her answer by using music. Her eyes closed hearing the melody from Carmen filling her ears. It was an aria she had sung when she was merely seventeen. It was one she would not soon forget.

Erik smiled as the aria continued to be played by Angelina's delicate touch. His eyes lingered over her petite frame. The black silk robe she wore did not do her beauty justice. It seemed to swallow her and take away from her figure. Her pale skin seemed to shimmer in the moonlight that shone through the bay window. He could see the diamond ring on her finger that he had given her on their wedding night glimmering in the light. Erik could never tire of looking at his beautiful wife.

His eyes were distracted by a figure standing in the doorway. He smiled as he saw Elizabeth standing there. Her golden ringlets were about her shoulders and her dark red robe tied tightly around her.

Erik gestured for her to step inside and she readily did. She grasped his hand as he held onto her. They both watched Angelina continue to play.

"I did not know she could play so beautifully."

Erik smiled and whispered in Elizabeth's ear. "She is much like you. She does not practice as much as she should."

"Father…"

"You know this as much as I do. She is constantly doing things around the house for us, Elizabeth. She hardly has time to do anything that she wishes."

Elizabeth hung her head. She knew that the words her father spoke of were true. Her mother rarely had time to herself any more. It was rare to see her mother and father together for a long period of time. Her father was constantly working on his compositions while her mother was doing the duties of a dedicated wife and mother.

"Maybe we should hire someone to help mother."

Erik looked at her curiously. "And where will we find someone to accept working with someone like me?"

Elizabeth sighed and knew that her father would not be comfortable around anyone with his deformity. She had not even seen what lied behind the mask. Her mother had been the only one that knew what her father feared for her to see.

"Could they possibly only work a few hours a day while you are in your study?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of you helping your mother in the kitchen." He smiled as he watched Elizabeth grimace. "You have been spoiled your entire childhood. You have not washed dishes, cooked, or done any chores. I think you are now old enough to help your mother in the kitchen – even if it is only for one meal."

"But, father…," Elizabeth whined.

"Elizabeth, my decision is final. As of tomorrow, you will help your mother with at least dinner. Do we understand each other?"

Elizabeth nodded as Angelina finished the piece. Angelina smiled and sighed. "It has been ages since I have played."

"You will be doing it more often. Elizabeth has volunteered to help you in the kitchen for dinner." He smirked as Elizabeth glared at him. "You will need time to rehearse for Carmen."

"Erik…"

Before Angelina could finish her statement, the doorbell rang. Erik and Angelina both looked at each other.

"Who would ring this late at night?" Angelina asked.

"Stay here," Erik commanded.

Erik descended the staircase leaving both Angelina and Elizabeth upstairs. The red wooden door seemed to loom in front of him. He quietly undid the lock upon the door and opened it. Standing there was a young boy, no more than ten. He looked up into Erik's eyes and nearly screamed.

"What is it, boy?"

"Please, sir…I was asked to come here to bring you this…" The young boy held up an envelope with a black wax seal on the back. He watched as Erik eyed him curiously. "She sent me here with it."

"Who did?"

"A young woman with eyes as black as the night sky. Her skin was dark too. She scared me, sir. I did not want to make her angry so I did not ask her name."

Erik nodded and took the envelope from the boy's hand. He placed a coin into his palm for his troubles. "Go home and to bed. Do not see her again. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

He watched the young boy run down the street before closing the door. His fingers touched the black seal but quickly pulled away as if it was searing his skin. The seal was unfamiliar to him – black wax with no particular shape. He broke the seal and took out a single piece of paper. The word was scribbled in black ink and seemed to drip as the woman wrote it on the parchment.

The one word was enough to turn Erik's blood to ice. The envelope dropped from his hand as he stared at the paper in his hand.

Revenge…