Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Beginning of the End
"Christine? I am frightened..." Meg whispered as they ran. Christine turned to the girl beside her and slipped her hand into the blondes. Meg smiled in gratitude. Christine knew that she was not the only one who might lose someone she loved, Raoul was there and though it had happened quickly Meg was in love with him, and visa versa. The trees were now in sight and Christine found herself quickening her steps. She had noticed rather quickly that Nadir was carrying a pistol and she prayed to God that he would not have to use it. Christine felt the distance that was slowly coming between her and Erik like a knife was slowly making its way into her heart. One of her hands had yet to leave her stomach because the baby growing inside was her only connection to Erik for the moment being.
"Further inside!" Nadir demanded when they reached the thicket of trees. Christine shook her head. She had to be able to see the house, she would not go any further into the trees. Nadir grabbed her by the elbow, trying to pull her back more. She shoved him off.
"No! I have to be able to see the house!" Christine explained, praying that he would not argue. Nadir hesitated for a moment before answering, clearly thinking what Erik would do in such a situation.
"I really must insist-"
"You are not in control of me, Nadir, no one is, I will stay here," Christine interrupted.
"Your husband put your life in my hands-"
"And I thank you for wanting to protect me, but I refuse to move," she said. Nadir sighed and shook his head, but he relented. Christine knew that with the trees around them and their dark cloaks no one would be able to see them from the house, it was nearly impossible. From her position she could clearly see a light from several of the rooms where candles had been lit. She could not see anyone moving around inside and wondered what in the world Erik planned on doing.
"Oh, my God," Meg whispered. Christine turned to look in the direction the young woman was looking and she felt the blood drain from her face. Approaching the cabin from the dirt road at a rapid pace were at least ten men on horseback. It seemed Michael would not be fooled this time, he meant business. Christine found herself nearly springing from the trees, trying to make a dash for the house. She had to help Erik, he and Raoul were now completely outnumbered and she knew there was no way they would make it out of this alive. Nadir and Antoinette grabbed her by the arms and dragged her back to safety, kicking and pleading. Meg had sat down against a tree, drawing her legs to her chest and covering her face with her arms.
"I have to go to him!" Christine pleaded when the two refused to let her go.
"You will get yourself killed, dear!" Antoinette said. Christine continued to struggle.
"I do not care! I cannot lose him again!" she sobbed.
"Erik is a smart man, he will figure something out and he will come back to you," Nadir assured her, although he was not to sure about that anymore. If anyone should go back it was himself, they needed as much help as they could get. Christine's thoughts were not very optimistic either. Erik had almost died from one man coming up behind him, how would he ever survive ten? When Nadir and Antoinette judged it safe they slowly let Christine's arms go. She slumped to the floor, staring at the house. As she watched, the lights that they had seen clearly so went out one by one, and Christine knew they might never be lit again.
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Erik roughly pressed the head of his pistol against the man's head, feeling the body tense up against him. He could hear them coming up the road but this man was early, and he would die for it. He had never expected Michael to bring as many men as it sounded like. Although no Delauney had ever wanted to play fair, and this man was no different. He wanted Erik dead and he would do anything to see that happen.
"Damn it, Erik, do not point that thing at me!" the man growled. Erik frowned and immediately let the man go, muttering several curses under his breath when he saw Christine's brother standing in front of him. This was unexpected, but not totally unwanted; he could use Anthony's help. Although Erik would never admit that to Daae, it would only go to his head.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Erik demanded. Anthony smirked. He had not expected open arms from this man, even under the circumstances.
"Nice to see you too," he answered. Erik snorted.
"I am thrilled to see the pistol you have at your side, Daae, that is one more to help in my cause," he said, clearly saying that he did not need Anthony's help, although he was in desperate need of it.
"I am not here for you, Desslar, I am sure you are aware of that. I want only to spare my sister the agony of losing you a second time, it has nothing to do with any feelings of fondness I have for you, which do not exist," Anthony answered. Erik respected this man, though pride would never allow him to say so. He was a brave man willing to do what was right for those he loved, even if it meant his life, something they both shared in common.
"Your sister is the only reason I am here as well, Daae," Erik said softly. Anthony studied the mask man for a fleeting moment, finally realizing something. This no longer had anything to do with revenge.
"You are not doing this to spite Michael, are you?" Anthony whispered. Erik sighed and shook his head, not meeting the other mans gaze.
"It has not been about revenge for a long time. It has and always will be about Christine. I wish I could say it was for your mother, but Emma, sadly, is long gone, she does not need me to avenge her, it would do her no good. But her daughter is here now and she is carrying my baby, they are who I am doing this for. Only them."
"Erik, they are coming closer-"
Raoul broke off in surprise when he saw his good friend and the two young men embraced. Raoul admitted that he had never been happier to see Anthony Daae in his life. He knew very well that they were outnumbered but Anthony being there made things feel a little less dire.
"We have no time for your sweet reunion, blow out all of the candles and take a position at the windows facing the road, we might be able to level their number from here," Erik said dryly. The two broke apart and rushed to do as they were told; knowing Erik might be the only thing between them and death.
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"I knew he would not be able to stay," Gustave whispered, looking out the window. Sienna looked down at the floor for a moment when she came into the room to find Anthony's father there. Of course there was no way that she would be able to sleep because it had been a couple of days since Anthony had left. This night was the first that Sienna had managed to leave her room and it was the first time she had seen Gustave since her lovers escape. He continued to stare out the window, his back to her. Sienna decided to seat herself and once she was settled she looked down at her folded hands. She had desperately needed to talk to someone and Gustave was the only one around.
"I am glad that my son has found a woman like you, Sienna," he murmured. Sienna smiled and whispered a thank you. She noticed that Gustave never mentioned the fact that Anthony was not his son, because she knew that he loved Anthony just like any father would and she was thankful that Anthony had a man like that in his life, even when it had been so devastating to him when he found out that Nadir was his real father, a man he hardly even knew.
"I am grateful that both of my children were blessed with love, I have no doubt that you will make my son happy, Mademoiselle," Gustave said, finally turning to look at the young woman sitting in front of him. Anthony had been given a gift to be born with his good looks and intelligence. He had never wanted for anything in his life except for a woman he could love more than himself. Gustave had no doubt that this was the woman for him. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen and he watched the way the two of them acted with each other, it truly was love, something not found very much it seemed.
"I miss him," Sienna whispered, ashamed of her selfishness. Anthony was doing what he had to do and she should support him completely, not want him home when it was obviously not going to happen.
"As do I, but you must understand why he is doing this," Gustave said. Sienna said nothing, she knew it was childish but she could not help but think that there must have been another way for Anthony to help his sister. He did not have to put himself in danger!
"Growing up Christine and Anthony have always been close. When Christine was born Anthony thought it was his responsibility to make sure that no harm came to her, and Christine idolized her older brother. They formed a bond at an early age and it is still there today. Anthony will never allow any harm to come to his sister," Gustave said, sitting down across from Sienna.
"But both Raoul and Erik are there to protect Christine!" Sienna said, needing to say something. Gustave sighed. He knew where she was coming from. She was frightened about losing Anthony when she had no one else in the world. Gustave had heard that she had no family left and so Anthony was really the only person in the world that she truly loved.
"I'm frightened for him," she murmured, lightly touching her abdomen without realizing that she did so. Gustave took notice immediately and cleared his throat.
"Child, I know that you and my son share a bed every night...has this caused certain circumstances that would have you even more worried about Anthony's welfare?" he wondered. Sienna met his gaze and frowned, not quite knowing what he meant. He glanced pointedly at her hand and she moved it away as if burned.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," she said, swallowing. Gustave smiled gently.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I am not ashamed!" Sienna retorted.
"Does Anthony know?" he wondered. Sienna looked away and slowly closed her eyes. She had not expected Gustave to be the first person to find out but there was really little she could do about it now that she had given it away.
"No...I had planned on telling him that morning but...I never was given the chance," she whispered. Becoming pregnant was the answer to every prayer that she had ever had in her recently lonely life and now that she had Anthony and their baby she knew that she would never be alone. That was why he had to come back to her. She could not bare it if anything happened to him when he did not know that she was carrying his child.
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The sound of breaking glass echoed for several moments after the window had actually been broken. The moonlight, thankfully, was rather bright and as Erik sat crouched at the window he could clearly make out the silhouettes of the men riding towards the house. He knew Raoul and Anthony had already positioned themselves and were waiting for Erik's first shot. It was still very dark and Erik knew very well that he could miss but they needed to eliminate some of the men so that they would have a better chance of winning this. The gunshot echoed in the still night air and one man fell off of his horse, never to get up again.
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Meg began to sob when the gunshot went off and they heard the men on horseback shouting at each other among the noises that the horses were making in their fright. Antoinette wrapped her arms around her daughter and pulled her against her, closing her eyes as Meg covered her ears and began whispering that Raoul was going to be alright. Antoinette soon had tears in her eyes as well. Christine's entire body had tensed up as had Nadir's. Christine could see in the Persian's eyes the need to go and help, because she knew that he had to feel useless where he was. He glanced at her and saw her staring and he quickly looked away, not wanting to see that look in the young woman's eyes. Of course he felt guilty for staying where he was, but he had to protect Christine because he knew she was as unpredictable as a storm and she might just be foolish enough to think that she might be of some use to Erik.
"They are going to need our help, Nadir, I have no doubt of that," Christine said softly. The Persian said nothing; he was not going to allow himself to be swayed. They needed to stay where they were.
"You see how many men are out there, there is no way they will make it without our help!" Christine insisted. Meg whimpered at her statement and buried her face against her mother's chest. Christine sighed in agitation. She could not be like these women, she had to help the men somehow, she could not just sit there and do nothing!
"He put your life and your child's in my hands, I will not let anything happen to you," Nadir said, unmoving.
"And if he dies?" Christine asked, forcing down the sobs because she had to make Nadir change his mind. The Persian said nothing for a moment because he did not like to think about that.
"He will not, Christine, and you would be wise not to talk about such things," he replied after a moment.
"We need to help them."
"No."
"You do not understand-"
"I understand perfectly."
"No, you understand nothing!"
Nadir, Antoinette, and Meg all froze when Christine pulled a pistol from beneath her cloak not hesitating when she pointed it at Nadir. The Persian was looking at the woman before him in disbelief.
"I refuse to lose him again," she whispered. She had not wanted to do this, but Nadir had left her little choice.
"Think about what you are doing, Christine, you can get yourself killed or Erik!" Nadir pleaded, needing her to see reason.
"I thought long enough about what I am doing, and I cannot just sit around here and do nothing! If he dies it will be my fault for not helping him when I had the chance!" Christine said. She had the element of surprise against Michael and his men, and she could use that to her advantage.
"You will not shoot me, Christine," Nadir said softly, taking a step toward her.
"Stop moving, Nadir, I am warning only once. My love for Erik will give me the courage to do anything to make sure he is safe," Christine said. Nadir ignored her, taking another step. Everyone jumped when she shot the pistol mere inches from Nadir's feet, causing the man to stumble back.
"Next time I will hit my target," she warned. "Now you can either join me or you will stay here. Make your choice."
Nadir knew she had given him little choice and he knew she was only doing this out of love for her husband. He just hoped that neither of them regretted it in the end.
"I will join you," he whispered. Christine nodded, fighting back tears. She had to be strong.
"Then when everything is clear, we will make our way to the cottage."