Authoress Notes: Hey readers! Glad I could get this one out fast! This is another longy, so strap yaselvz in!
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own anything but OCs, and you know who they are! ALW and Leroux own the original stuff! By the way, I know this isn't a songfic, but there's a beautiful Christmas song I want to use, compliments of the fantastic Kathy Troccoli. I tweaked a few lyrics, but I HIGHLY recommend this song.
WARNING: This chapter's rating steps up a notch. Character Death! I know you all love this character, but it's time for someone to bite it! Sexual situation and as I've said, DEATH…
--
A Twist of Faith
Chapter Eight: Christmastime is Here…Happiness and…Fear
--
"Bravi!"
"Bravissimi!"
"Encore!"
"Brava!"
Elaine's face flushed as the audience thundered with applause over the final movement of "Les Chansons de Bethléem." Reyer's idea to perform a medley of Christmas arias and orchestrations had gone over very well. Even M. Firmin and Andre, who'd been very skeptical at first, were forced to admit it was a crowd pleaser…and a box-office success. Each of the first chairs in the orchestra had a solo and Genevieve performed angelically. The two managers ascended the staircase and took their respective bows.
"Dames et messieurs, many thanks to all of you for choosing to join us this evening," Andre said with a less nervous smile than was his custom. He seemed genuinely pleased with the night. "We would like to acknowledge our Prima Donna, Mlle. Genevieve Fauntelle." Genevieve appeared from the wings, looking very pretty in her long green gown. She walked to the center of the stage and curtseyed deeply. Firmin straightened his waistcoat, his twitching moustache curling into a smile.
"We would also like to acknowledge our chief repetiteur, and our maestro, M. Reyer," he announced, gesturing open-palmed to Reyer in the pit. Reyer stepped up from his conductor's stand and took a bow to the applause of the audience. He gave a polite smile and gestured to the orchestra.
"Violiniste!"
An answering chorus of similar calls followed and Reyer looked at Elaine. He beamed at her and motioned for her to stand. "Mlle. Elaine Tourouse!" He said with pride.
Elaine stood, slowly and modestly and pressed her hand over her heart as she gracefully took a curtseying bow. More shouts and cheers erupted and she felt her face burning hotter. She cast her eyes up to Box 5, her heart leaping when she saw Erik's regal form standing, appreciation and love evident on his face. She smiled radiantly and took another bow before she sat again.
"And now ladies and gentlemen, we invite you for a reception in the grand ballroom," Andre said, pointing towards the exit into the ballroom. "Once again, we thank you for your patronage and Joyeux Noël!"
Collected murmurs rose from the house as patrons began standing, gathering their belongings, and made their way to the reception. Elaine smiled. A part of her wanted to go, but the larger part knew that Erik would not enjoy it. Anyway, she would much rather spend Christmas with him rather than those stuck up rich folks she played for. She gathered up her music and placed her violin gently into its case. She made her way to the stairs leading up from the pit.
"Aren't you coming mam'selle?"
Reyer's voice startled her and she turned, a little guilty about getting caught trying to sneak off.
"I'm sorry M'sieur, but I've a previous engagement," she answered.
"You were a sensation tonight Elaine," He reminded her. "The patrons will want to meet you."
She dropped her head, wishing professional courtesy wasn't so important to those damn managers. "I know. Please m'sieur. Tell them whatever you like, but this is not something I can forsake."
Reyer eyed her for a moment. Absolute pleading radiated from her golden-brown eyes. Finally, he smiled. "Very well mam'selle. Joyeux Noël, and thank you for a perfect performance."
Elaine beamed. "Oh, thank you M. Reyer. And merry Christmas to you to," She replied as she turned to ascend the stairs.
"And tell Erik I said the same to him as well."
Elaine froze. Did he just say what she thought he did? "I-I-I'm sure I don't know what you mean…"
"Come now Elaine. I've known for a long time that Erik is alive. Even before M. Gallin's…accident. Tell me, how is he?"
She said nothing for a minute, trying to understand where he was coming from, and trying to figure out what to say. "He's…he's well. He's been my tutor for the past few weeks." She admitted, figuring he already knew.
"Yes, I suspected as much. Your technique is more exquisite than ever. I do not doubt that he is a great teacher, but please mam'selle, I advise you not to—"
"Follow him into his lair?" she finished for him. Reyer started. Dumbly, he nodded. "I've been there m'sieur. You see, I injured myself not long ago, and he took me with him to care for me. I know many think that he is fearsome and dangerous, but I assure you, he is truly good and kind."
Reyer nodded solemnly. "I'm sure he is… I only told you that because a few years ago there was a chorus girl he trained. Things did not turn out well."
Elaine smiled softly. "Yes, I know all about her. You see, however, there is a distinct difference between her and me. She did not love Erik. I do."
Reyer's eyes flew wide. He was not a superficial man, but he never thought he'd ever hear an admission like that. He searched her face for the vacancy he saw in the last woman Erik had chosen, but all he saw was the same brightness he'd always seen in Elaine's eyes. It seemed that she truly meant what she said. A smile of relief spread over his face. "Don't keep him waiting Elaine. From what I understand, he's waited far too long already."
"I won't. And thank you again," she said and quickly went up the stairs, disappearing into the wings.
Reyer gazed around the vacant theater. Programs and handkerchiefs lay strewn on the thick red carpeting. The aftermath of every performance. He smiled secretly and gathered his music from his stand. "Bravi, Erik," he whispered to no one. "You are a lucky man, and you certainly deserve her."
--
Elaine opened the door to her dressing room, greeted immediately by the fresh scent of flowers. She grinned at the sight of the small room stuffed with bouquets of multi-colored flower arrangements. One from Claude, the lead baritone, another from Monte, a stagehand, and the second within the week from Vincent, the Italian tenor the manager had hired earlier that month. Her eyes flew habitually to the two intertwined roses sitting atop her vanity: one dark red, the other pure white. She plucked them up and breathed in their sweet, romantic scent. A black ribbon held them together and fastened a simple white card to the knot. She smiled and pick it up, opening the brittle wax seal. Withdrawing the card, her eyes prickled with happy tears as she read over the red script.
Ma chere lumière,
You were the best and brightest star this night. I saw no mere woman holding a violin, but an angel cradling a heavenly instrument. You were incredible. I look forward to spending this holy night with you. Until tonight, my love.
Eternally,
Your Erik
Elaine swiped her eyes and held the precious card to her breast. She expelled a dreamy sigh and sat heavily in her vanity chair. Laying the card down, she pulled out the pins from her hair and began brushing the long silky curls. She smiled when she thought of the little Christmas gift she'd bought for herself the other day. Wisely, she'd thought to keep it in her armoire here instead of bringing it into her room beneath the opera house. She gazed into her own eyes, letting her thoughts drift in the molten gold orbs as she deftly swept her hair into a soft style. She knew the way to the Rue Scribe that led to Erik's home. She didn't know if she could make it across the lake in the boat by herself.
--
Erik's long fingers drummed feverishly on the arms of his armchair. He tugged at the cuffs of the sleeves of his fine suit. Although he always applauded style and good taste, he sometimes cursed the man who created bow ties. Swallowing hard, he hooked a finger into his collar and ran it around his throat, trying to relieve it of the constricting fabric. Perhaps he'd made the fire a little too strong. He'd never been so nervous in his whole life.
The night before felt like a dream; after he'd almost turned out the woman he loved, she'd struck him dumb by revealing her own affection for him. Never in a million years did he ever expect anyone to love him. He thought he'd missed his chance two years ago. Then along skips this incredible, beautiful woman and hope comes alive in his heart once again. And, last night… last night, it really happened.
Now what?
Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself out of the chair and began pacing like a tiger over the plush carpet. Clenching and releasing his fists, he began turning various scenarios over in his head.
What if he said something out of turn, or foolish?
What if he couldn't say anything?
Worse, what if she didn't really feel as strongly as he did?
Worse yet, what if she didn't love him at all?
What if it was only pity that fueled her to stay with him?
"Erik?"
The soft voice behind him nearly caused him to jump out of his skin. As he turned, the vision before him nearly caused him to melt into the floor.
The ethereal being walked--almost floated--into the parlor and Erik found it hard to believe the angel approaching him was actually his Elaine. She was dressed in a crimson gown of crushed velvet, the gold embroidery on the sweetheart neckline revealing a modest amount of her shoulders and the cleft of her breasts. The waistline embraced her tiny waist, the stitching forming a deep V that drew the eyes down the length of the full skirt. Her lovely arms were covered with the rich fabric, the sleeves flaring at her wrists decorously with an eye-catching embroidered design that matched the neckline. She glided past the little fur tree lit with small tapers and cast a pleased glance at it, a look of purity and wonder on her beautiful face. As she stopped to deposit her gift and violin case, the upswept curls of her raven hair caught the soft candlelight in a most alluring way. When she stood and turned to him, she smiled radiantly, and Erik's knees buckled. He dropped down to one knee before her. She reached down to him mildly concerned, and when he grasped her hand in his, she knew the reason behind his fall.
"My love…my dearest…you are so beautiful," he breathed huskily, pressing a kiss to the top of her tiny hand. She smiled wider and turned her hand a little, gently caressing the unmasked side of his face.
"As are you, Erik," she said softly. "Just one more thing…" she trailed off, her gentle hand reaching behind his head for the ribbons holding his mask. Out of habit, his hand caught hers and he turned pleading eyes up to her.
"No ma lumière," he beseeched. "You are so lovely…too lovely to sully with this face."
"Erik, I don't want this mask on your face." She lowered herself to the floor so she was level with him, her amber eyes tender and warm. "Understand dear, I know it will take time for you to truly realize that I am not bothered by what you look like, but you never will unless you let me see you," She explained, tenderly stroking his face as she pressed her forehead against his.
He closed his eyes tightly, willing the tears back. He knew she was right, that she cared not what lay behind his mask. She only cared for the man behind the mask. He released her hand and let his arms fall. She reached behind him and pulled the ribbon end, her other hand over the mask so it wouldn't fall. When the ties were undone, she pulled the mask away and laid it off to the side. Noticing he didn't look at her, she dipped her head a little and met his eyes. He searched them for any sign of discomfort and found none. Heaving out a loud breath, he swept her into his arms and embraced her. She folded her soft arms around him and kissed his ruined cheek lingeringly. He brought her to stand with him and pointed up to the ceiling. She looked up and laughed.
Every few feet, Erik had fastened sprigs of mistletoe to the ceiling. Elaine's head fell back with laughter, silenced only when he placed his hands on her face and gently pulled her into a beautiful kiss. They stood under the canopy of mistletoe, sharing love and breath in their kisses.
Erik pulled away and laid his head atop hers, careful not to disturb her piled black curls. "Well, sweet lady, I would love to hold you like this for the rest of the night, but then those presents beneath the tree would be of no use."
"Oh yes, I almost forgot," she grinned, releasing him. She sat on the plush ottoman before the glowing tree and retrieved a flat package wrapped in green foil paper. She extended it to Erik with the glee of a child. He sat and kissed her softly.
"If you don't mind my love, I'd like to give you yours first," he requested and reached for a small box wrapped in a piece of black silk with a red satin ribbon tied at the top. Elaine grinned at him playfully.
"You're spoiling me Erik. Whatever will I do with you?" She said and set the package before him, taking the little gift from him.
"Love me?" he suggested, sitting on the couch. She laughed musically.
"That is easily done," she answered, rising to place a sweet kiss on his lips. He smiled and kissed her forehead in return. Finally, she turned her attention to her present. The ribbon came undone swiftly and the silk fell away with a whisper. In her hand lay a wooden box. It was a deep mahogany color and on the lid was a perfect rendition of an opening rose done in dark cherry wood, inlaid in ebony setting with oak stained green for the stem and leaves. "Oh, Erik…it's so beautiful. Where…where did you get this?"
He smiled and blushed a little. "Actually, when I was a boy, I learned Italian inlaying techniques under a great master's tutelage."
"It's amazing. Thank you so much."
"Oh that isn't all. Open it," he encouraged. She gave him a questioning look, wondering what could be inside. Carefully, she undid the little gold latch and opened the lid.
Suddenly, a clicking sound was heard from deep within it. When the top was fully open, sweet, tinkling notes began dancing from the little chimes inside it. She gasped quietly as she recognized the song.
It played "Jacqueline," her mother's song.
Tears immediately filled her eyes and spilled out onto her cheeks. Erik watched the wet tracks run down her face and tilted her face up, dreading to see any kind of anguish in her eyes.
Relief filled him fully as she smiled genuinely at him, her lips shivering a little. Before he could ask, she laid her hand on his scarred cheek and drew his face to his in a long, slow kiss. He closed his eyes and petted the soft fabric covering her back, tasting her tears in their kiss. When they drew apart, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips in reassurance. "I can't believe that you did this for me. It's all so wonderful. Thank you my sweet Erik."
A smile spread his full lips and he stroked the tears away from her skin. "It rewinds every time you close it," he added. She laughed at the intricacy of the detail and laid the musical box beneath the tree, letting its song continue as she rose up to sit next to him on the couch.
"You are wonderful Erik. Thank you so much." She snatched up the gift she'd attempted to give him before and presented it to him. "Now, I believe this is for you."
He accepted her gift with a smile and laid it in his lap. Slowly, he unwound the string from around the fastener and opened the flap of paper. He reached in a pulled out a stack of two papers. On the thick music parchment, penned in Elaine's elegant writing, were delicate notes placed on perfectly made bars and measures. He sounded them out in his mind for a moment, hearing in his mind what it might sound like.
"If you like, I can play it for you," she said eagerly. He smiled knowingly at her.
"Something tells me you're going to do so anyway."
"Curses," she grinned, "foiled again." Gently, she took the pages from him and retrieved her violin. Erik watched her as she gracefully took it from its case and set the music on a wooden stand. After expertly tuning her violin, she set the bow over the gold stings and took a deep breath. The first note was lingering and deep, leading into a gentle melody that vibrated into the air. He listened to discover if he'd heard it before. His breath was arrested when he heard her lovely voice rise into a hum. Her eyes were softly lowered, drinking in the music. Her dark lips parted as she drew in a breath before her voice lifted in song.
The tree is lit, the fire burns
The snow is falling but you're keeping my heart warm
The music plays, the candles glow
And as you look at me I've got to let you know
It's Christmas time my darling
And all I can say
Is I'll love you
For only always
Erik drew in an awed breath, his mind reveling in her voice and the meaning of her words. He hadn't heard this alto register of her voice very often. It was penetrating and soothing to hear as it moved through him like warm waves. She moved sinuously with the bow, her singing never distracting her from the music.
Another year I'll have with you
We'll grow together beyond all that we've been through
This season holds a place in me
Where there is always room to make new memories
It's Christmas time my darling
And all I can say
Is I'll love you
For only always
Elaine threw herself into the song. She rocked on her feet, loving the vibration beneath her cheek. This next part she knew by heart and she looked directly at Erik, her eyes meeting his with a physical thrilling sensation. He fell deeply into her eyes of gold and knew that he could never lose this wonderful creature.
So kiss me now and hold me tight
Beneath the mistletoe
My dance with you is wonderful
I love you more than you'll ever know
As she turned back to the music, an interesting thought entered his mind that caused tears to spring to his eyes; she'd written this before their admission last night. Before there was any danger of either one losing the other, she had penned out her love for him. He sat back against the cushions and leaned his head back, letting her voice, her song,and her love wash over him, letting his tears fall peacefully down his face.
It's Christmas time my darling
And all I can say
Is I'll love you
For only always
Drawing the bow along the final notes, she let her voice fade softly. At the close of her work, she relaxed and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. She never ceased to give her all in a performance. "Well…what do you think?" she asked, pressing her hand to her heaving breasts. A sob escaped Erik's throat and she snapped her eyes to him. To her dismay, tears streamed down his face. Her violin forgotten on a side table, rushed to him and encased his face in her hands. "Erik, are you alright? No, my love, don't cry. This is a night of joy."
In spite of his tears, a happy smile broke onto his lips and he wrapped his hands around her waist. Gently, he encouraged her to stand, as he lowered himself until he was kneeling before her. "Elaine...sweet angel…the song was very beautiful. Amazing, my love. And please, don't worry. These are not tears of sadness. I know all about those." His mind was racing along with his heart, but he kept his voice calm. "Those were the only tears I ever cried before I met you. My life was a wasted one of hate, fear and pain. But you, Elaine, you saved me. You rescued my heart from the solitude I thought was so good. Thanks to you, I can face the world again."
He paused and slipped his hand into his coat pocket. "And I would love nothing more than to face it with you by my side." He drew out a small black box and held it out to her. Savoring every moment he could, he lifted the top. Inside, nestled in plush, crimson velvet laid a tiny gold ring with a modest, scintillating diamond set in its center. Elaine suddenly found it nearly impossible to breathe. Erik plucked the ring out of its setting and discarded the box. His hands trembling, he held it up as an offering to her. "Elaine," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, "Will you make me whole? Will you marry me?"
Elaine drew in a long breath as awe washed over her. She stared at the shimmer in Erik's mismatched eyes then at the gift he offered her. Then she thought of what the true gift would be: to share her life with him, to wake up every morning in his arms.
Slowly, a smile more beautiful than any other he'd seen spread over her full red lips. Erik's eyes widened with hope. "Yes, Erik. I would love to marry you."
Time stood still as the two of them communed with their eyes. At last, Erik's hand moved blindly to slip the little ring on her finger. He gaped at the sight of the ring glimmering on her little white hand. Suddenly, he looked up at her. "That…that just happened…didn't it?"
Elaine's eyes grew wet with tears of joy. "Yes it did."
"Now don't say it if…"
"I meant it Erik. Oh Erik, I love you."
Erik's heart thrilled. "Say that again," he said breathlessly.
"I love you. Now please stand up and kiss me."
He followed her request without a word. Rising quickly, he swept her into his embrace and pressed his lips to hers. Her hands stroked his face; the smooth and deformed became one to her as she returned his kiss with joyous passion. Erik nearly laughed against her mouth as he lifted her from the ground and spun her around and around. When they finally broke the kiss, Elaine wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed. Erik laughed as well as he finally set her back on her feet.
"Oh ma chere. This is a dream come true. Never in my life did I ever think I would propose to a beautiful woman, and she would say yes."
"I can't believe it," she whispered. "I'm going to be your wife. Your wife…oh Erik, hold me!" she laughed and leapt into his arms. He wasn't quite ready for her this time and they toppled backwards in a heap. She smiled sheepishly at his wry look. "Whoops…"
At this, Erik let out great peals of laughter and threw his arms around her, rocking her to and fro, as she giggled giddily. Their laughter died down and Erik tilted her face up to look into her eyes. A look of soft seriousness glowed in his eyes as he stroked her silky cheek.
"Before the New Year begins, I would like for us to be married Elaine. Is that too soon for you?"
"No, it's perfect."
"Are you certain you would not like more time?"
"No. I have a close friend, Meg, and her mother. They will make a fine wedding party. I understand that you know them. I'll send a letter to my father as well. I would like for him come and give me away."
Erik dropped his head. "Elaine…do you really think your father will give you away to me? We have never met."
"I've written him about you. Not, certain private details, but enough to let him know how much I love you," she smiled, returning a tender stroke to his malformed cheek. Erik nuzzled into her soft hand, luxuriating in the love radiating from her entire being. "And I believe we have waited quite long enough."
At the close of her words, Erik could no longer help himself. Circling his strong arms around her shoulders, he crushed her to his body in a fervent kiss. Elaine's passion responded to his and she returned the kiss by trailing her tongue along his soft lips. He moaned and parted his lips, allowing her to enter his mouth while caressing hers with his warm breath. His joy mixed with desire as he felt her warm curves beneath the supremely soft fabric and he felt a tightening in his loins. Gently and firmly, he pulled away and dropped his head, breathing deeply to control himself. Elaine, disappointed and worried at the breaking of the kiss, frowned and lifted his face up with a tender hand.
"What is it Erik?"
Erik smiled at her loving concern and brushed his fingers along her jaw. "It's nothing dearest. It is only…you are so…stirring. You affect me greatly Elaine. And I do not with to get carried away before our wedding."
"Anyone would understand why Erik. You've been physically deprived for so long."
He shook his head slowly. "But that is no excuse, and it certainly does not make it right. I have done so many sinful things in my life, and I will not deny the woman I love the glory of her wedding night."
Elaine's rose-red lips smiled with happiness and her heart swelled with affection for him. She leaned into his chest and laid her head on his shoulder. He smiled and embraced her, breathing in the spicy florals of her hair and skin. He felt something inside him warm in the wake of her love and silently told himself that this was no dream.
--
Three days later, Elaine walked the icy streets of Paris with a beaming smile on her lips. The wind blew chilly around her, but she smiled nonetheless. Her heart was so warm, she felt like nothing could chill her at all. It was a cold yet beautiful night. The moonlight on the ice and fresh snow gave everything a peaceful, bluish glow and high above her the diamond pinpricks of stars twinkled.
With a happy sigh, she gazed at her own twinkling star on her ring finger.
The day before, she'd gone to the Giry's to tell them of the news. Meg was a little frightened at first, but when she saw the approval from her mother and the love shining in Elaine's eyes, she warmed to the idea and became quite happy. The two of them planned to go into town in a day or so to find suitable dresses. The letter to her father had been sent, Madame Giry was taking care of securing a priest and Elaine couldn't be happier. Soon, she and Erik would be one together: husband and wife.
"I'm going to be a wife," she whispered to herself. She grinned, feeling much like a child again as she kicked a puff of snow into the air. She yelped as she slipped on the frozen sidewalk and fell straight into a huge pile of frigid fluff. "Oh, that was graceful! Be thankful you're not in the ballet chorus!" Laughing breathlessly, she got up and dusted herself off, glancing about to see if anyone had seen her.
What was that? She froze. Something had moved past the street lamp. When she unfroze, she took a deep breath of cold air and made her way along the icy path. She wasn't far from the opera house when the wind began to pick up, rolling huge violet clouds, fat with snow across the sky. As she drew nearer, she sensed another presence. As if to confirm her fears, she heard the crunch of icy footsteps echo faintly in the night. She drew her coat more tightly to her breast and picked up her pace as the snowflakes began to float down.
To her horror, the footsteps also quickened to match her pace. A cold needle of fear shot up her spine and she began to take longer strides, not daring to run on the slick ice. Her breaths were puffs of misty air in the growing cold. The footsteps grew louder as they approached her. Just before she reached the steps of the opera house, an icy hand shot out and closed around her wrist. She shrieked and spun around, lashing out with one little fist. She felt it connect and watched her assailant stumbled back with a grunt. Fury blazed in her stomach as her gaze met with a pair of frigid blue eyes that could only belong to one person.
"You!" She shouted. "How dare you! What do you think you're doing?"
"A lady would do well not to raise her voice," Marque Gallin answered icily.
"A piece of filth like you does not deserve ladylike treatment!" she spat, stopping to steal a glance at his hands. They both curled into an unnatural claw and two fingers on the right hand were gone. "Why Marque, what happened to your poor hands?" she cooed in mock pity and let out a cold laugh in the darkness. Gallin snarled and slapped her across the face. She moaned and clutched her cheek, her violin case falling into a snowdrift.
"You little tramp!" He yelled, rage twisting his voice into hideous tones. "I knew you had something to do with that 'accident'!"
Elaine turned to face him, her golden eyes blazing. Then, her lips curled into a chilly smile.
"Unfortunately, I had nothing to do with it. However, it would have been my pleasure to have been the one who removed you from the company!" She sneered and spit in his face, the saliva crackling in the freezing air.
"You BITCH! I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget!" He snarled and leapt onto her, knocking them both into a snowdrift. Elaine screamed as her back struck a sheet of ice and sent a stinging pain through her body. "Shut up!" He clamped his gnarled hand over her mouth, trying to silence her. "Shut up, stupid!" Frantically, she pushed his hand into her mouth and sank her teeth into it. He roared in pain and leapt up clutching his bleeding hand, cursing violently.
There was no way she could make it to the Rue Scribe now. Elaine wasted no time but snatched up her fallen violin and raced up the stairs. She threw the doors open and ran down the aisle. She could hear Gallin running after her and began screaming Erik's name at the top of her lungs, praying with all her heart that he could hear her.
As she ran up the stairs to the stage, she felt Gallin's hands grab hold of her dress. He yanked and nearly ripped off half of the skirt as she pulled away and fell sprawling to the floor. She scrambled to her feet and ran for the wings.
"Forget something, whore?"
Elaine stopped dead in her tracks and suddenly realized she didn't have her violin. She turned around and saw her rival on the stage, her violin dangling from his hand, the case discarded on the floor.
"Give it back!" she screamed rushing back to him. His face twisted and without a word, he slammed it onto the floor. Elaine wailed as her papa's precious violin shattered to fragments.
"Try playing now, bitch!" He sneered in bitter hatred and tossed it at her feet. Elaine fell to her knees and gazed in horror at the splinters of wood and pitifully dangling golden strings. Her dark head snapped up, absolute fury blazing in her eyes.
"You bloody bastard! I'll KILL you!"
Before he could react, she jumped on him and wrestled him to the ground, scratching and beating and screaming in rage. They rolled about on the floor until Gallin gained the upper hand freed one of his arms. He slapped her across the face, blood from his hand spraying in the air. She cried and blindly slammed the heel of her palm into his nose. Her attacker forgot her for a moment and he clapped his hands over his bloody nose. She jumped up and tried to run but her wet, ruined dress tangled under her feet and she fell to the ground, cracking her chin on the hardwood floor. Stars shot through her vision and her head rang. As she tried to get up, a heavy, cold boot kicked her squarely in the back. A scream left her mouth and the fight left her. She lay in a crumpled heap, her strength rapidly waning. As Gallin circled her, she tried to push herself up. "Merde," she muttered as she fell again.
"Such a foul mouth on such a lady," he smirked. She turned pain-filled, hateful eyes to him and groaned weakly. No emotion on his face, he kicked her in the gut. She heaved out a sobbing moan and fell on her back. His cold, stony eyes forgot their rage and swept over her supple body, the primal part of his brain appreciating her lush curves. Elaine opened her eyes, feeling a thick pain behind one of them and watched Marque helplessly. "Yet, seeing you like this, on your back, tattered like some tramp makes me wonder if you are a lady at all." He growled, his voice deepening with lust. One of his gnarled hands reached behind his back and drew out a long, thin dagger, its blade a hellish orange in the dimmed lamplight of the stage. Elaine whimpered and tried to shift away from him.
He descended on her, pushing her into the hardwood floor. "You know Elaine…I've hated you from the moment I met you." As he spoke, he swayed the blade slowly before her, and her eyes followed the oscillating motion, not daring to move or breathe in case he decided to use it. He watched the pure fear blooming in her eyes and smiled in satisfaction. He set the dagger off to the side and brought his hand to the side of her face, stroking it almost tenderly. She shuddered and whimpered, trying to move away from his wretched hand. "But, I've always found you to be…appealing…yes…" he purred and nuzzled his cheek against hers. She let out another helpless moan and he smothered her mouth with his palm. "I think I'll have a little fun with you before I kill you!"
At the close of his words, he grabbed her mother's coat and ripped it open, nearly exposing her breasts to him. The strength Elaine thought was gone welled up in her like a mountain and she brought her hands up to his face. Sinking her long nails into his flesh, she raked down viciously, ripping two nails to the quick in the process. The pain from his ravaged face seized him and he plastered his hands over the bloody furrows.
"ERIK!" She screamed, trying desperately to wriggle free of his weight. Gallin felt her gaining ground and forgot his face. He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her firmly to the floor. Pressing one arm over her chest to hold her, he reached down with his other hand into the large rip in her dress. "GET OFF OF ME! GET OFF!" She screamed, enraged and terrified, bucking her hips wildly as she tried to get her legs free. He grasped a handful of her lacy pantaloons and ripped them wide open. "ERIK!"
"So THAT'S his name!" Gallin growled, working his twisted fingers around her womanhood. "THAT'S who you've screamed for in the night, you little slut!" Elaine felt his repulsive fingers pushing against her maidenhead and screwed her eyes shut against the pain, scream-like sobs coming out of her mouth. "Oh come now, it's not so bad!" He pressed the proof of his lust against her stomach, his hatred-fueled hunger growing as he watched her crying. "I'll just finish with you, and the theater will blame it all on their so called 'phantom'!"
"They certainly will."
The icy, animal snarl froze the heat in Gallin's blood and he stilled all movement. Before he could even turn to see who had spoken, his air was cut off by a powerful hand. Elaine gasped in a loud breath as she felt the weight lifted from her battered body. She opened her tear-swollen eyes to see the most welcome of sights before her; Erik stood with his extended arm holding a dangling Marque Gallin who kicked his feet helplessly, his eyes bulging from a lack of oxygen. The unmasked side of Erik's face was twisted into a fiery look of absolute fury.
"Er-ik…"
Hearing her weak whisper, Erik tore his anger-filled eyes away from the bastard and looked at Elaine. She was bruised, bloody and terrified, her little body shivering from fear and cold. Slowly he looked back at the man he held aloft with one hand. The other held Gallin's discarded dagger. "You deserve to be tortured for days you little bastard." He whispered with cold fire in his normally sonorous voice. "I should kill you slowly. But I haven't the time." Without another word, he plunged the blade into his victim's stomach and jerked it downward towards the floor. He released the man's neck and let him fall wailing in agony as his innards poured free of his split body. He writhed around screaming, his body spasming, sending jets of blood from his wound.
The intensity of violence and the swirling memories of what had happened overwhelmed Elaine and she passed out, Erik's name on her breath. Erik dropped to his knees and gathered her gently into his arms, holding her tightly but carefully. He rose to his feet and began walking towards her dressing room. Erik pressed the concealed switch and opened the mirror, tears filling his eyes as he stepped through with his precious load. "Oh, my love…I'm so sorry…" he murmured as he carried her down the winding corridors.
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On the stage, in his final scene, Gallin's life ebbed away, his pain-racked thoughts only of the demonic figure who took his life from him. It was all her fault…her fault…her fault…her…
…
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Spooky note to end on I know, but I think I made Erik too nice there…don't you agree : I know you're all waiting with baited breath to see what happens next! So I'll try to fix up the last few chapters quickly. Review please!