XXXIV

Meg and Christine sprinted back into the theatre seemingly just as the sun set. Christine couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. So far she had not broken her Angel's rule, though her and Meg had surely come close on many occasions, but he didn't seem to mind. Or maybe he simply didn't know, though that seemed strange, he always seemed to know everything about what was going on.

"Come on, Christine," Meg said, "we'll miss supper."

"You go, I'm not very hungry."

Meg shrugged her shoulders and left Christine in the hall. Once she was gone Christine made her way to the chapel. She was a bit early and lit a candle for her father while she waited for her Angel to come.

"Good evening Christine."

"Angel?" she asked, smiling as she looked towards the ceiling.

"You were out today, weren't you, Christine?" he asked icily.

"Yes…this afternoon, with Meg," she replied, "but we were back before dark."

Christine waited nervously when there was no reply for what seemed like ages, "Run through your scales."

"Of course," she murmured, and began to run through her scales.


Erik couldn't understand himself why he was being so hard on Christine. He knew, though he would deny it, that it was cruel to impart such harsh rules, not to mention the punishment for not obeying. Truthfully he wouldn't be able to stay away for long.

She never really disobeyed him, though he knew that her and Meg would go out any afternoon possible. Though she did always come back before it got dark, therefore not directly disobeying him. But the first time she came close he made sure that she knew his anger. It only lasted for a few lessons, by then she seemed upset enough that she would not dare go out anytime near dark again.

Christine, however, was the least of his problems, La Carlotta was now grating on his nerves. Rehearsals were painful enough to watch, and no doubt to go through, without that woman throwing a fit every five minutes. And Monsieur Lefevre was finally proving that he did in fact have a spine and continued to ignore his demands to fire the singer.

Finally, after a horrible rehearsal, Erik had had enough and kicked over a rather large prop, causing it to land right beside the diva. She of course gave a shrill cry and started to complain loudly. Erik had to bite his tongue as not to shout, 'stop that insufferable racket!'

"Trouble in paradise?" Antoinette asked, causing him to turn his head.

"How did you find me Madame?" he asked.

"Dark night, cold," she said, "there was no doubt that you would be up on the roof trying to catch your death."

"Amusing, Madame, very amusing."

"That was quite the show you put on today," she continued, "you have not nearly killed anyone in ages."

"It was a stupid prop," he grumbled, "I was hardly trying to kill her…I have very good aim."

"Say what you will, but a few inches to the left…"

"Yes, yes…"

"Hmm, so you are in a bad mood this evening," Madame commented, "I would have thought that kicking over heavy props and terrifying the chorus would have released some of that pent up frustration."

"If you do not mind, Madame, I came up here for some quiet."

"Hmm, then thee is something else bothering you. Other than out prima donna."

"There is nothing bothering me," Erik sighed, "other then the fact that your insufferable manager has finally decided to show some backbone."

"Is that all?"

"That is all," he snapped.

Antoinette couldn't help but chuckle, "Very well then."

"Is something funny?" he demanded.

"Oh no," she replied, stifling another laugh, "you are just being very childish. You do know that Monsieur Lefevre owns the theatre, don't you?"

Erik rolled his eyes and sighed, "Yes, I do know that."

"Then perhaps you should leave some decisions up to him," she suggested, "after all if the theatre goes under he loses everything."

"And I don't?"

"You would still have a fortune hidden away and a place to live. Unless of course the building collapses, which is doubtful."

Erik couldn't help but give a wry laugh, "I suppose so…it is cold out."

"Oui, it is November," Antoinette agreed, "so why don't we go inside?"

"You may do so if you wish," he said, "but I think I will enjoy the view for a while longer…Paris is really very beautiful at night."


Time in the theatre did not seem to conform to the same rules as the outside world. It seemed to be carried out at a faster pace during the regular season and then slow to a near stop off season or on holidays. It was on one of these holidays that Meg and Christine sat listening to the orchestra practise.

"I never noticed how boring Christmas is," Meg murmured.

"I guess when we were younger we were all excited about presents and going out for the day and mass…mass!"

"What about it?" Meg asked.

"Its at midnight," Christine replied.

"Yes, it always has been. Every Christmas eve since I can remember," Meg replied.

"I know but…" she trailed off.

"But what Christine?" Meg asked, "is something wrong?"

"No Meg," Christine said, reasoning that he wouldn't be angry if she went to mass. After all, he was an angel, "lets go do something more interesting."


Erik drummed his fingers rhythmically on the edge of the box. Holidays had to be some of the most boring moments in the opera house. Many people went home to visit family, or went out with friends for the days. That left almost no one in the theatre except the occasional ballet rat and the orchestra.

"I should get something to eat," he thought aloud, "otherwise I will starve to death…"

He remained seated for several more moments before standing up and straightening his clothes. Food had been the original reason to surface. However he had heard the orchestra playing and was interested in hearing them without the shrieks of Carlotta. It turned out that he would be having a lot of replacements showing up at the opera soon.

So, after going to the kitchen and procuring all that he saw necessary, he made his way back down to his lair. Once there he took out a small piece of paper and an envelope then, finding his pen, he started to write a note to Monsieur Lefevre, detailing a few changes that were simply necessary.


"This is outrageous!" Monsieur Reyer exclaimed, waving the small note, "he is asking me to replace over half of my orchestra."

"It would seem that way," Monsieur Lefevre replied dismally, "but there isn't much we can do about it."

"Nothing we can do?" Monsieur Reyer sputtered, "refuse him. You've done so with La Carlotta and-"

"And look where it has gotten us," Monsieur Lefevre interrupted, "there have been more accidents in rehearsal than actual rehearsing. Props have been broken, or stolen, and then there is the fact that he has almost killed the woman a few hundred times."

"Monsieur Lefevre, I beg of you, do not make me do this."

"I'm afraid, Monsieur, that you will have to start searching for some new musicians as the ones in question have just been fired…they will receive notice of this and have two weeks to leave the theatre."

"Two weeks? Rehearsals start again in three weeks. How am I to find anyone fast enough?"

"I trust in your abilities…and maybe the Ghost will have some suggestions, non?"


A/N: Ugh, sorry for not updating sooner, and for the fairly short chapter, but school has been hectic to say the least. Huge English summative, 15 minute long oral essay to write and prepare for. Not to mention the chemistry...well hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review.