A/N: I REALLY hope this chapter disappoints no one! I thought so hard about where I wanted it to go.

Queensarah: Erik is an intelligent man but sometimes… he's also a violent one… we will see all sorts of him in the next few chapters.

Modesty: He is a tart. It's a fact. Thanks for the review!

Ahomelesspirate: Madame giry to the rescue? thanks for the review…

Please review…

Chapter 50- Blood Brothers.

'Enough,' Raoul's voice echoed coldly around the room. The harshness of his tone evident, its severity unhidden, as he stood staring at his brother.

Erik lay on his back, the tip of Philippe's sword still pointedly aimed at his chest, the top edge shone as the light from the fire hit it. Philippe glanced side ways at Raoul, the sharp blade of the sword under his chin making it difficult to move, Philippe's eyes hardened visibly and Erik's gaze shifted back to Raoul.

Raoul was dishevelled and thin, his shirt was undone half way down and it hung off his left shoulder. His hair was loose and floppy and the sections that weren't matted down were messy and ruffled. The rush he had arrived in was evident in his fiery eyes and glistening skin, sweat trickled down his neck and the sight was highlighted by the angry vein by its side.

'I said enough,' he was trying to sound calm but it was obvious that he was anything but. He was furious. 'What are you doing here?'

'I've,' Philippe began, breathing slowly, not moving. 'I've been here for thirty minutes.'

He actually sounded calm, Raoul thought, standing there with his weapon touching his brother's throat.

'Was that what I asked?' he said, staring intensely.

'I've found the man who kidnapped your wife and you treat me this way?' Philippe said, his voice quivering slightly. Erik watched, he knew that now would be the perfect time to leap up and put an end to the madness that had enveloped his home. He knew that he could now take Philippe out in one move but still, something told him to stay still. Something inside him was fascinated by the scene in front of him and he simply could not draw his eyes away.

'Kidnapped my wife?' Raoul repeated, his voice not angry now nor emotional. His voice was as cold as his usually bright eyes.

'Yes,'

'Then where's my wife?' Raoul asked, again emitting a coldness that no one had witnessed from him before.

'I don't know,'

Raoul scowled and, for the first time, let his eyes fall to Erik, who was propped up on his elbows, lying at Philippe's feet. Erik, in spite of himself, shook his head from side to side and Raoul frowned, before turning his eyes back to his brother. His sword was still poised under Philippe's chin.

'He's a murderer,' said Philippe, glancing sideways from Erik to Raoul and then back to Erik.

'Maybe,' said Raoul thoughtfully as he looked around the room, at the body of the guard and the unconscious figure of Tomas lying in the corner of the room. 'But he's unarmed.'

'What?' Philippe said, almost shouted, in astonishment. 'That man kidnaps your wife and you worry about him being unarmed.'

'This isn't the gentleman's way, Philippe,' Raoul said and Erik almost enjoyed the sound of sarcasm in Raoul's voice. For a moment he actually thought that in another life they could have been friends.

'So you'll do what?' Philippe growled, no longer calm. 'You'll free him?'

Raoul stared blankly at his brother.

'Raoul,' he said, 'Put the sword down and we'll figure this out.'

Still Raoul didn't move, his gaze held unflinchingly on Philippe.

'He's a murderer,' he said and Raoul smiled.

'As you will be if you simply run him through,' Raoul's voice was suddenly so calm, he almost sounded as if he was enjoying himself.

'Raoul...' Philippe sounded exasperated. Raoul's face turned white as he leapt forward and, in a smooth motion, pushed Philippe back away from Erik and stood between the two men. Erik lying on the floor and Philippe standing less that five steps away.

Erik remained still.

'Raoul! What are you doing?' Philippe cried, staring at his brother. Both of them holding their swords out on front of them.

'Philippe,' said Raoul, his name sounded like poison. 'I know what you did.'

'And what did I do?' asked Philippe, forcing a frown to furrow his brow. Raoul was struggling to contain his temper.

'You,' he said. 'Dear brother... you... bastard … you…tried to rape my wife.'

Philippe stared at first and then, a moment later, he was laughing hysterically, his free hand holding his stomach, tears rolling down his cheeks. Raoul shook his head and clenched the muscles in his jaw, in his whole body.

'And who, pray tell, told you that?' he said, through bouts of laughter.

'She did,' he said, glaring. 'She told me herself.'

'And you believed her?' He spat and Raoul shook his head in disbelief.

'Yes, and Henry told me… he told me tonight,' he said and then after a long pause, 'I believe them both.'

Erik closed his eyes at the sound of Henry's name and as he did Raoul turned to look behind him, suddenly remembering that he had seen a still figure lying on the seat. When he saw Henry's pale and motionless body he turned around to look at Philippe and a chuckle escaped from his throat.

'Did you kill him?' he asked holding in his sardonic laughter.

'No...' Philippe began but Raoul held his sword up to stop him.

'But you set this into motion... this is your fault.' Raoul said and laughed hard. It wasn't an amused laugh, Erik couldn't quite figure out what it was.

'I...'

'Idiot,' he said, staring at Philippe, his laughter still rumbling through his body. As quickly as it began his laughter stopped and he stepped towards Philippe, his eyes once again ice cold. 'I should kill you.'

Philippe looked at him.

'I should kill you right now,'

'Then do it,' Philippe snarled. 'Show some backbone for once in your life.'

Raoul shook his head, sorrow abruptly showing on his face, masking the glow of the fire in his eyes.

'As much as I utterly despise the ground you walk on,' he began, stepping backwards. 'I could never kill my own brother.'

Philippe laughed at him, shaking his head.

'I won't kill you,' Raoul said as he leaned down to help Erik to his feet.

'Then go away,' said Philippe.

'I won't kill you but I can't even guess what he might do,' Raoul said as he handed Erik his sword.