b GASP An update! Many thanks to my until-recently updater for showing me how because she has too many AP classes! You all will hate me for this chapter...btw if ur wondering why I haven't answered reviews its NOT because of the "new rule". It is because I sent the WHOLE story to lilhobbitsparrow for some reason, but I love you all! EC FOREVER! /b
Chapter 14—Three Cliffhangers
It seemed not long at all before they were in Persia. Christine gave the driver directions to the house of the daroga as the three passengers resumed their normal looks. She wondered if Ledoux would recognize her—for a fleeting instant. Although she had changed much, no one forgot her mask.
They pulled up before the large flat, and covered their faces as they got out. Madame Giry lingered for an instant, before Christine urged her to come and stay with them. They walked up to the door together, and the Phantom rang the resounding bell. A servant appeared.
"Is the daroga at home?" she asked. When the servant replied that he was, she said, "Tell him a friend from the rosy hours of Mazenderan has come again to meet him." They were asked to wait in the small vestibule just inside the door.
"What was that about?" Erik murmured in her ear.
"I shall tell you later," she replied.
When the daroga himself came out to meet them, he wore a wondering look. Christine lifted her veil just enough to show her mask, and he admitted them swiftly, glancing out the window behind them.
"Christine, my friend, need you a place to stay? For I have ample room."
"Indeed, daroga, we shall need two rooms, if you can. We must hide for a while, far from France. I am sorry if this is an intrusion, Ledoux…"
"Not at all—I understand. Come with me."
He led them to two extravagantly furnished guest rooms. Madame Giry took one, and Christine paused outside the open door of the second. She looked at the daroga, then at Erik.
"Erik, would you…?"
"Of course," he replied, understanding. "I'll unpack."
She was grateful to him, and gave him a swift kiss as she handed over the items that she carried. She followed Ledoux to his study and sat down as he bade her, accepting a glass of Tokay. She watched him, sipping the drink, waiting for him to ask his first question.
"Who is the boy?" it came.
"Erik," she replied. "My student, and…"
"Lover?" he finished, and a slight rosy tinge crept into her cheeks as she nodded. "How did you meet him?"
"Well, after you saved me and we parted, I went to France…"
It took her twenty minutes to tell the story in its entirety. The Persian listened silently throughout, and when she had finished, he said, "You have led an eventful life— Phantom."
"Yet, here I am," she replied, "not entirely unscathed, but living. And not in Hell, as I had anticipated."
"I see," he replied. "More Tokay?"
"No, I must go and speak with Erik. I have no doubt that he has questions." She rose with a slight bow to the daroga, then paused at the door and turned back. "Mum's the word, Ledoux." He nodded reassuringly, and she returned to her own room.
The door was shut. She opened it carefully and saw no one. Stepping inside, she called softly, "Erik? Where are you?" She heard nothing, and moved in further, letting the door swing shut behind her. "Erik?" She heard, then, swift footsteps behind her. Before she could turn, she experienced a searing blow across the back of her head. She fell, and knew nothing.
k
As soon as the door had closed when he first entered the room, Erik had felt the cold metal of a pistol jammed to the back of his neck. He had frozen, not daring to even drop his burdens until he heard an icy voice say, "Put the bags down."
He did so, considering his options. He, stupidly, was unarmed. He could see few items about the room that might serve him somehow. He decided simply to do as his apparent captor bid him, praying that he'd have a chance to warn Christine. However, when the door had opened to admit her, a hand had sealed his mouth violently.
"Not a word," the same voice hissed in his ear.
"Erik?" she called. He wanted to scream but dared not as a shadow appeared from behind the door and struck her down. He watched her fall, and his body involuntarily lunged toward her. The shadow came over and slapped him. Something touched his face, he smelled a keen odor, and he blacked out.
k
The man, called Giomo, released the limp boy unceremoniously. For an instant, he'd been afraid the stupid schoolboy would get away, but he had stopped him.
"Put them in the third cellar," came a cold command from the door. Giomo looked up and saw the owner of the house, the daroga, standing there.
"Yes, daroga," he muttered, groaning inwardly as he shouldered Daaé's limp body again. The Vicomtess was paying him enough—he could do it without complaint. At least, that was what he told himself as he made his way down the stairs.
Ledoux followed Giomo and his companion. He noticed their lack of elegance in handling their prisoners, particularly the girl. He winced as he saw them banged about on the long trip belowground.
He honestly felt bad. He had betrayed his friend. He told himself that he had done nothing directly, but he still felt ashamed. He hardly cared how much he was being paid, very different from Giomo. He shook his head sadly. What was done was done. Now he just had to think of a way to keep himself from dangling from a well-placed Punjab lasso. If she ever got out of this alive.
b Oooh, you all hate me now! Little Erik and Christine plushies to reviewers, with little magnets in their mouths so they kiss! AND CANDY! throws candy 3 reviews AT LEAST before the next update, so pass it on! b/
