Chapter2 The Tale Unfolds.

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Mme Giry stared at him in total disbelief. "Erik…" she trailed off not really sure what it was she actually wanted to say to him. There were so many questions that she had to know the answer to.

Erik's piercing eye's bore into hers. They carried a trace of anger and betrayal. "So many questions I am sure you are harbouring Madame. Although before I consider answering your questions there is one I believe I deserve the answer to," he said casting and eye to ensure the door was shut.

"I'll do my best," Annie said nervously knowing she wasn't going to like the question.

"No you will answer this Madame," Erik said coolly. Annie didn't like the way he had called her Madame. Erik never called her Madame. He had only ever referred to her as Madame on one other occasion, when she had returned to the Opera House after her wedding. As she looked into his eyes she saw the same hurt and betrayal that had been present in his eyes when she had looked at her all those years ago.

"I am so sorry Erik, please try to understand," she begged reaching for his hand. He pulled back. His face filled with hurt. The feelings of hurt he was displaying seemed to be magnified several times in his eyes. They were so vast, so transfixing, so transparent that she could hardy bear to look yet she couldn't turn away. "Just go," he hissed. She'd promised him she would never leave him. He had believed what kind of fool had he been? He should have known she wouldn't stay with him. He should have known she two would leave him. If his own mother had been unable to love him then how could he how allowed himself to believe that she would love him and would stay with him.

That was just the problem. Annie did love him. She had never loved anyone as much as she loved Erik. She didn't want to leave him but she had no choice. The wedding had been set up, it was out of her control. She wished Erik could understand. She hated seeing the hurt in his eyes, the hurt she knew was only present because of her. He had already been hurt badly before through no fault of his own. Erik didn't deserve to be hurt again by anyone, especially by her. She was the only one he trusted. No matter how hard she tried to explain it she knew Erik would always believe she had betrayed him and broken his trust.

Annie once again found herself unable to divert her gaze from his eyes despite not liking everything she saw reflected there. When she looked closely at him she could tell he had not been living easily since that night. His face was taunt and his skin was sallow.

"Erik?" she whispered sadly.

"Too late for prayers and useless pity Madame," he spat when he noticed she was looking at him with a trace of pity lacing her features. He didn't want anyone pitying him especially not her.

Before she had the chance to respond he spoke again. "Now back to my question Madame. How please tell did Raoul find my lair?" he asked.

By the very way he had asked Annie knew that he already the answer but was forcing her to answer anyway. "I…I told him where it was. I directed him too it," she whispered tearfully.

Her tears didn't faze Erik. He stared coldly at her then nodded slowly. His silence had the effect he hoped it would. It made Annie visibly more uncomfortable. The silence held out a bit longer until Annie finally found her voice again. "I had to Erik. I know it may not appear that way to you but I was fearful you may have done something that you would regret, you weren't thinking clearly, especially after…." She trailed off.

Erik smiled thinly. "After what Madame, after Christine," it still pained him to say her name after the hurt she'd caused him. "Exposed my face to the world?" he hissed.

"No Erik I only meant that…" she attempted weakly but he cut her off.

"I don't care what you meant Madame," he snapped. After a few minutes of silence he spoke again. "Now these questions you wanted to ask, ask away," he said a little too calmly for Annie's liking.

She had to know the answer to her questions. Annie decided now would be as good a time as any given he was already in a bad mood. "The mob….how did they not kill you?" she asked nervously.

"They tried but I killed them," Erik answered in a voice that clearly stated he wasn't willing to discuss the issue any further. "Anymore questions Madame?" he asked in that same calm voice.

"No," she said quietly. She did have more questions. She had many more questions but she knew she had no chance of getting anything out of him just now. He was so mysterious and secretive at the best of times. It was his secretiveness that had lured her to him. She was also drawn to him through his voice. He had the ability to lure her into a trance through his voice. She had often wondered if this was a gift he knew he possessed or if it was something he just did without knowing it..

"I come here with a very simple question," he said coolly.

"What might that be?" she asked carefully.