A short, transitional chapter here.
Most of you remember that I'm in the city in recording sessions over the weekends, so I don't ordinarily update friday-sunday.
Mind the rating!
Nico
Looking back, neither Gerard nor Rae would know who led whom to the lush bed Rae had been sleeping in alone since checking into the posh hotel.
All Rae knew now was that Gerard was on top of her, his dark shirt opened just slightly to reveal his pale chest.
His black hair hung down, tickling her nose. In between passionate kisses, Rae pushed the hair from his eyes, looking past the golden pigment into the darkness that was Gerard.
Neither one noticed the rush of air that came with the opening of the balcony door.
For several moments, Erik stood at the foot of the bed, unable to grasp what he was witnessing.
There, laying on her back beneath the body he had formerly inhabited was his Christine.
So engrossed were the two lovers that they didn't even notice him standing at the foot of the bed.
Until he spoke.
"Insolent boy! Slave of fashion!" Erik bellowed, finding it terribly ironic that the words he had spoken a century ago still held meaning.
Gerard spun off of Rae, who clutched at the silk sheets, trying desperately to find her discarded top.
"Who are you?" Demanded Gerard, moving towards the cloaked figure. "How did you get in here?"
Erik sort of half smiled, his eyes on only Rae.
"Hello, Christine," he said softly.
"Her name is Rae," Gerard nearly growled, feeling suddenly and incredibly protective of the woman shivering with fear on the bed where just moments ago he had held her in his arms.
Erik cocked an eyebrow. "Rae?" He repeated. "But you are mistaken, Sir," he directed his voice at Gerard. "You were just fondling none other than Miss Christine Daae."
Rae pulled the sheets closer around her body, the mention of Christine's name sending a chill up her spine.
Erik slowly moved closer to the bed with Gerard on his heels.
"You have to leave," Gerard informed Erik.
Erik turned to face him, the coldness in his eyes piercing Gerard like an arrow.
"Must I?" Erik asked lowly.
"Yes," Gerard replied, standing his ground. "Now."
Faster than lightning, Erik's hand shot out to clasp Gerard's throat.
"Stop it!" Shrieked Rae, standing, placing a hand on Erik's shoulder.
Erik barely registered the touch as he squeezed against Gerard's windpipe.
Soon, Gerard's feet left the floor as Erik raised him. His face turned red as he choked against the pressure on his neck.
"You'll kill him!" Rae yelled, more loudly.
It seemed this was enough to grasp Erik's attention.
He looked over to Rae, his mouth curving into a sensuous smile.
The last thing Gerard heard before he blacked out was Erik's voice whispering his beloved's name once more.
He was dying.
He was certain of it.
He opened his eyes, feeling as if razors were being dragged across his lids.
He groaned, pulling himself to a sitting position. The room spun as he raggedly inhaled a deep breath, coughing against the protest of his sore windpipe.
He stood and looked around.
Gerard was alone in the hotel room.
He caught a glimpse of himself in a large gilded mirror as he moved about the hotel room, aimlessly getting re-dressed.
Dark purple bruises stood out against the paleness of his throat.
And Rae was nowhere to be found.
Gerard quickly re-donned the clothing that had been carelessly strewn about the room.
He knew exactly where he had to go…
Even before he found the letter addressed to him.
Fondest Greetings,
By now, you have no doubt woken, with a headache I do not envy you for.
I thank you for watching over Christine, although I will say that you took liberties I myself have yet to enjoy.
But, because you allowed me to coexist within you for so long, and because you have brought Christine back to me, I shall allow you to live.
But be warned. Should you interfere with the course of events as they should execute, you will find yourself in a world of trouble.
Sincerely,
O.G.
The letter fluttered to the ground, hitting the marble flooring just as the door slammed behind Gerard.