A/N: As always, a Super-Special thanks to my beta, Le Chat Noir! (especially for the dance scene once again) :)

Erik: the Vampire Hunter

Episode 16: Executioner's Song

By: Elektra

'After Dusk' Night Club

Night had fallen. It was her favourite time. The most interesting people came out once the sun went down. She would have some fun tonight. She always did.

Now - to find her latest playmate.

Ahhh, there's a likely candidate. She smiled at him, knowing well that he had been watching her with more then the usual interest. She was quite aware that he was not what he seemed. That he was not simply some hapless wannabe dressed in a Victorian poet's shirt and leather pants. He had been sent here to find her. Perhaps to stop her.

But Elainia would not be stopped.

She smoothed down her black corset and leather skirts, quite aware she looked more like a dominatrix then anything from way back when. Her bright red hair was messily hanging about her shoulders, and her lips were the colour of blood.

She always received a lot of attention.

He came up to her, a smile on his face. He was smooth, she would give him that much credit. Quite a silver-tongued devil, so to speak. He would have won her over if she hadn't known he had been sent after her on purpose.

She was playing him, and he had no idea. He truly thought she was clueless as to his reason for approaching her.

It didn't take long before the two made their way to the nearest motel…

Auditorium (the next morning)

Madame Giry posted a note that rehearsals would be moved into the auditorium while the studios were being renovated. Erik wondered if she knew that he wanted to watch from the catwalk, where he would be afforded an excellent view, rather than the air ducts above the ballet studio.

Why Christine was being partnered again by that idiot boy Robert Stevens, Erik could not say. He felt deliberately baited, as if Giry wanted him to suffer the image of Christine's body being fondled and handled by that perverted incompetent fool.

His musings were interrupted by the start of the music, and Christine's entrance. Her pointe shoes made little tapping noises even as she tried to step with silent care. She and Meg met at center stage for a moment of partner-work: Christine held Meg's hand as Meg unfurled her leg into a high développé, and then they switched to for Christine to repeat the action. Erik noted the small smiles the two exchanged, their fleeting glance as they parted and ran off stage.

This neo-classical work was less "handsy" than the winter piece, but Christine still had to deal with Bobby, and so as she piquéd into a fifth position in front of him, she involuntarily shuddered as she waited to feel his hands on her waist.

She stretched into arabesque, feeling him steady her balance, and then turn her body as she balanced en pointe until she made a full circle. Closing into a tight position, she readied herself to be bent back slightly.

Bobby's finger traced a path down her spine.

That is not in the choreography, Christine thought murderously, and for some reason this seemingly lesser movement stoked more anger than any of Bobby's more overt fondling.

She wondered briefly if it wasn't because it was just the kind of gentle, seductive gesture she imagined Erik would use.

She tried to shake the thought out of her head, but it was rather stubborn. What would dating Erik be like?

Horribly distracted by her mind's strange wanderings, she fell completely out of step, barely hearing Madame Giry's voice raised in frustration as she tried miserably to catch up.

"Why do you keep DOING that?" Christine snapped angrily at Bobby once they exited to the wings. "Are you just a total pervert?"

Bobby laughed, "Oh c'mon… you're on the market again! Heard you broke up with the rich boy, so what's the big deal?"

"On the market?" she sputtered. "What am I, a piece of fish?" She then frowned. "And just so you know, I'm currently seeing someone!" Christine snapped. Well, it was close enough to the truth. Going to the opera with Erik was, technically, "seeing someone."

Erik didn't know that, of course.

Christine glanced up at the catwalk and saw a shadow moving across it. She felt herself blush. Even from up there, she was quite sure he had heard her. I guess he knows now…

"You work fast!" Bobby snorted. "But I'm pretty sure he can't be as interesting as ME!"

"And I am pretty sure you cannot be interesting…" A voice echoed off the walls of the auditorium.

Christine snickered when she saw how high Bobby jumped. Goodness… he could do a grand jeté if he wanted to!

Of course, the other ballet students didn't find the ghostly voice all that humorous. And the angry look in Dean Giry's eyes said all that needed to be said.

Motel 6 (that afternoon)

It was the fifth violent murder this month. All committed by the same person.

The police on the scene could barely keep their lunches down. Nadir studied them with a certain impatience. You'd think they could handle such things by now. Though that was not to say the scene before them did not have its fair share of gore.

"Well, Khan? What do you make of it?" Gus Leroux spoke as he came up to his Guild detective. No one dared question Police Commander Leroux's newest arrival. No one knew that the Commander was also the head of the Hunters' Guild – an organization he had begun when he found out that not all crimes could be solved within the realms of normal society.

The scent of incense was mingled with the scent of death. The once-white carpet was now pink with soaked-in blood. Around the room, stained papers were spread along the floor.

Pages of a book that was to have been used to contain one with such powers.

Which meant…

"It was personal. She knew he was after her. Knew he was one of us. Even destroyed his only means of stopping her," Nadir replied as he indicated what was left of the damaged book. He looked over at the unfortunate shape pinned to the wall with daggers.

The shape used to be a man at one point. Not just any man, but one of their own. A Hunter sent to entice the killer, then attempt to bring her under control.

It had obviously not worked. The man had been made a sacrifice instead. That much was obvious from the melted wax candles that sat in each corner of a pentagram – drawn in the Hunter's own blood.

The dead man was naked, wrists and neck sliced at the veins.

"We have to call him in for this, don't we?" Gus spoke.

Nadir nodded solemnly, then picked up his cell phone and dialed the familiar number. "Madame Giry?" he began, "I believe we need your charge's unique talents…"

Christine's dorm room

"I heard you turned Bobby the Perv down flat at practice," Meg began cheerfully as Christine returned from her last class.

"Yeah, well…. I'm seeing someone," Christine replied as she threw off her book-bag and flopped on her bed.

Meg furrowed her brow, "Seeing someone? Why didn't you tell me! Who is it?"

Christine was quiet a moment, then finally spoke, "Erik."

"Oh please! You are NOT seeing Erik!" Meg insisted.

Christine shrugged, "What do you call our dates to the opera then?"

"Uh… going out with a friend?" Meg offered.

She shook her head, "No. I …" she paused, hesitant. "I think I'm starting to feel more than friendly when I'm with him," she admitted.

Meg's eyes went wide. "You're kidding me?" Christine shook her head, and Meg grew serious, "Why? How? When? What happened? God, Chrissy - he's thirty-one! And he's... well..." she glanced up at the air ducts and lowered her voice, "He's a little... creepy..."

Christine rolled onto her stomach. "I know, Meggy. It's just... I felt something the first time we went to the opera together. I... I got jealous when he was on stage with that other girl. I... I started thinking about him during practice today. It's why I got so distracted." she shook her head, "I get that he's a lot older and he's not what you'd call normal... but..." she shrugged, unable to say more.

Meg realized that Christine was as confused as she was. "Has he said anything to you? Anything that would make you think that... that it's mutual?"

Christine buried her head in her crossed arms. "No… but one moment, I'm sure I see something there, and the next… he's a block of ice."

"Oh honey," Meg sighed as she went to sit beside Christine, gently stroking her back. "You're getting mixed signals. I know what that's like." Meg was silent a moment, then finally spoke. "Christine," her voice seemed serious. "Is that why you broke up with Raoul?"

Christine lifted her head and glanced at Meg, eyes widening. "Oh god!" She gasped, "I didn't realize..."

"I'll take that as a yes then." Meg replied.

The brunette buried her face in her arms again. "Meg… if Erik doesn't kiss me soon, I think I'm going to go crazy!"

Dean Giry's office – the next night

"Did you tell Christine about the Leader?" Giry asked as Erik came in for his nightly assignment.

Erik nodded. "I also gave her access to my room if she ever needs it," he replied.

Giry raised an eyebrow, "Really now?" she asked, "How interesting…"

"I doubt she will be visiting much, Antoinette," he said. "Now what is my assignment? I have a lesson with Christine in a few hours,"

"You may want to cancel that lesson. It's a special assignment," Giry replied.

Erik frowned. "I do not want those assignments any more!"

"You are free to refuse, Erik. But who else could do this?" she handed him the folder in her hands. "A temptress is using her talents to seduce men, then sacrificing them to whatever creature she believes in," she explained. "Attempts to contain her have failed. We lost track of her last night, but our scouts were able to find her tonight after another dead body was discovered this morning."

Erik inhaled a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "Will I never be allowed a normal life, Antoinette?" he asked.

Before Giry could answer, Erik grabbed the folder and left the office.

Ravelle College Campus

Christine hugged herself, swearing at the cold February night as she made her way to the Arts Building. She had a lesson with Erik tonight.

Tonight... she thought. Tonight I'm going to come right out and ask him. She only hoped he had the answer she wanted.

"Hey, Christine!" a voice called out. Christine turned to see Bobby the pervert jogging towards her. "What are you doing wandering around here so late?"

"It's only nine pm, Bobby," Christine answered. "Now excuse me, I have to go."

He stepped in front of her. "Where are you going?"

"That's really none of your business."

He smiled ever so slightly. "This hard-to-get act is cute. But it can only last for so long."

"It's not an act, Bobby. I told you, I'm seeing someone."

"Who?"

"No one you know!"

"Is he another student?" He smirked.

"No he's not! Bobby, please?" She tried to get past him, but he stepped in her way once again.

"At least give me a name." Bobby raised an eyebrow, "Unless you're making up stories."

"And if I DID give you his name, what would you do?"

"I'd want to meet him, of course. See why you find him so special."

Christine rolled her eyes. "Can't you just take NO for an answer? For goodness sake, Bobby. I'm NOT interested in you. And if Erik finds out you've been harassing me, he'll kick your ass!"

"Erik?" Bobby repeated. Christine clamped a hand over her mouth. She hadn't meant to let his name slip. "Does he have a last name?"

Christine didn't answer. She feigned to the left, then ran off to the right, escaping Bobby's attempt to stop her.

She could hear him snicker as she ran towards the Arts Building.

5th and Gerard – 2 hours later

"So they sent you now?" Elainia asked as a masked hunter cornered her in the alley behind the Super 8 Motel. She studied him for a moment. "I could seduce you as well and make you forget the true reason for being here, but somehow I don't think that would work." She narrowed her eyes as if trying to sense something. "There's someone else you're thinking of. Someone you know wouldn't approve if she ever found out what you did."

Erik stood silent, allowing no emotion to enter his eyes.

"Odd," Elainia found his thoughts very interesting. "I think you are the first man I've ever encountered who feels this strongly for a woman. And it is far more then lust! You actually LOVE her!" She licked her lips, finding this rather fascinating. "Poor thing… you don't believe you'd ever have a chance with her."

Elainia smirked coldly. "Yet what's this? In your sweetest dreams, you still have a flicker of hope – perhaps someday she may see past your hideous face. Past all the lives you've taken," she laughed. "How pathetically romantic!"

Elainia continued to read him. "What's her name now?" she asked, "Ahhh, I see. Your little angel is called-"

Erik did not let the angel's name escape Elainia's lips…

Arts Building - Music room

Christine waited patiently for Erik's arrival. He was never usually this late. In fact, quite the opposite. He was always here before she was. She was getting worried. Knowing the line of work he was in, he could always have a bad night.

"Waiting for your mysterious masked man?" a voice spoke behind her.

Christine spun around to see Laura Ashton standing by the window. Her heart leapt to her throat, "Erik will be here soon." Christine pointed out.

"You think so?" Laura asked. "I heard he was on a special assignment. It was a last minute thing, of course."

"Well, I'm sure he'll be done shortly," Christine insisted. "And then he'll come here and see you."

"I doubt he'll come here. He's usually in a rather dark mood after his special assignments," she shrugged. "I suppose murder does that to a person."

Christine froze. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Oh, you don't know. Of course. Why would he tell his little Christine about such a thing?" Laura replied, then smirked and leaned forward. "He has this fancy little rope that he wraps around a person's neck, and..." she made a hard tugging motion with her hands, "SNAP. He's very good at it, you know. I think if you made him angry enough, he'd probably use it on you too."

"Liar! " Christine replied. "Erik wouldn't hurt me. And he isn't a murderer."

"Oh, that's right. The Guild calls him their Executioner. A fancy name for a hit-man, don't you think?"

Christine studied the woman before her. "What Guild? What are you talking about?" She briefly remembered Erik mentioning some group he belonged to along with Firmin and André.

"Oh, there's so much about him that you don't know, little one." Laura smirked. "Why don't you go to his room and try to find out?"

Before Christine could push for more information, Laura was gone.

Erik's Room – later

After reaching into the hidden alcove on the wall beside his door, Christine found the key still there. He had told her to use it should she ever need to. Right now, she was quite sure she needed to.

She waited patiently as she sat on his bed, Laura's words echoing in her head. Was it possible? She was sure it couldn't be. Erik was too good a person to DO something like that.

Christine's heart skipped a beat as the door to the room opened. She froze when she saw Erik standing there, his golden eyes cold and dark, "What are you doing here?" he asked accusingly.

Christine spoke nervously, "Erik?" she asked as her eyes fell to the rope in his hands. Was it stained red? "What... what is that?" It was just as Laura had described.

Erik looked down as if he was surprised the rope was even there. "Oh," he replied, "This is called the Punjab lasso."

"The Punjab lasso?" she repeated, then took a shaky breath. "Wh-what is it used for?" she asked, quite aware she was trembling now. Erik lifted his hand to the level of his eyes and encircled his neck before she could stop him. "ERIK!" she cried out.

Ignoring her frightened cry, he continued. "THIS," he tugged the rope tighter, his hand the only thing preventing it from strangling him, "...is what I use it for!" He yanked it off, and stepped closer to her.

"You look disturbed by that, Christine." He lifted his free hand to her hair, gently caressing the dark curls with his gloved fingers. "Did I worry you for a moment there?" He lowered his head, bringing his lips beside her ear. "I'm sure you would not have missed me had I been less careful."

"Please..." she replied softly. "Please don't talk like that..."

"Who told you about the rope?" He asked with a deadly calm. "You were so scared when you saw it."

"L-Laura," she stuttered. "In the a-arts building."

"Ahhh, lovely Laura," Erik replied. "She does like to make problems for me, doesn't she?" He grasped Christine's chin in his fingers, forcing her head up. "And what did she say about me?" he hissed dangerously. "Did she say I use this rope to take lives? Did she say I would use it on you, Christine?"

She closed her eyes but said nothing.

He brought his masked face closer, his mouth only inches from hers. "My little angel," his voice went from intimidating to tender like the flip of a switch, "do you not know by now that I would rather die than cause any harm to you?" he asked. "That I care for you far more then you can ever imagine?"

Christine's eyes slowly opened. "Erik?" she licked her dry lips. "Laura s-said y-you were a... a m-murderer..."

"Well, it is nice to see Laura is capable of speaking the truth once in a while," he replied, then cupped her cheek in his gloved palm, still not allowing her to turn away. "You see, sweet Christine, she is absolutely right." Christine's blue eyes went wide at his confession, her body shivering ever so slightly. "There is a group called the Hunters Guild."

He slid a hand around her neck gently, feeling her pounding pulse against his leather-clad fingers. His voice was low and frightening when he spoke again.

"And I am their Executioner. I kill those who cause problems."

"What do you mean?" Christine squeaked softly.

"Some humans play with things they're not supposed to play with. Some have the power to do things they shouldn't do," he explained, brushing his fingers lightly over her throat. "I am the only one who can stop them."

Christine was startled at the informal way he was touching her, but whether the shiver down her spine was caused by his menacing behaviour or the way his touch was making her feel, she was afraid to find out.

Erik studied her coldly, noticing her unsteady breathing, and stepped away, his hand falling to his side. "Do you hate me now, Christine? Do you hate that I have … murdered?"

Christine could only stare at him, words leaving her.

It was all the answer he needed.

Erik turned his back to her and coiled his rope, "As well you SHOULD," he answered. "Though you could never hate me as much as I hate MYSELF." He slipped the rope back inside his duster, unable to bring himself to look at her again. "I believe you need to find yourself a new vocal tutor and opera companion. To have a murderer teach you and accompany you would not be in your best interests."

"Erik, I-"

He spoke before she could finish. "Goodbye, little angel. I don't expect to see you again."

Christine glanced at him one more time, his words holding a finality that left her cold.

She could do nothing but run out of the room in tears.

Dean Giry's Private Dorm

Christine's frantic knocking startled Giry from her paperwork. The poor girl sounded horribly distraught as she called the older lady through the door. Giry quickly stood up and allowed her entrance. "What is the matter, Miss Daaé? You seem rather upset."

"Upset?" Christine gasped, trembling. "This goes beyond upset!" She ran a shaking hand through her hair. "What do you know about Erik? Please, Madame. Tell me everything!"

Giry indicated Christine take the guest chair as she sat on her bed calmly. "What happened?"

"Is he... an Executioner?" Christine began as she shakily sat down. "For... some guild?"

Giry sighed deeply. "Oh dear," she started, "I was afraid of this." She glanced back at Christine. "Did he just come out and tell you?"

"N-no... it was ... someone else. A girl named Laura. When... when I asked Erik, he didn't deny it."

"Laura Ashton. Yes, she's been causing problems for us," Giry replied.

"US?" Christine sputtered. "So… you're part of this group too? Does Meg know?"

"No. She doesn't. Nor do I wish her to find out!" Giry replied, then took a deep breath. "But I suppose I should explain. It seems pointless to keep it a secret from you now." She pursed her lips, "That silly boy. I told him he'd end up putting us at risk!"

Giry shook her head and began. "You see, Christine, Erik and I are part of an organization called the Hunter's Guild. I am his liaison to the powers that be. I tell him his assignments and whatnot. As you have seen, we deal with things that regular police forces cannot."

Christine nodded dumbly at this.

"Erik is our best hunter. He is quick, strong, unemotional and cold." She took a deep breath. "And yes, Miss Daaé. He's also our Executioner. And he has been for a number of years. He's the only one who can shut off his emotions and do what is necessary,"

"MURDER is NECESSARY?" Christine gasped, eyes wide.

"I suppose outsiders may not see it that way… but let's just say in doing what he does - executing - he has saved far more lives than he has taken."

"But... they're still human lives!" Christine cried out, "And… and he was so calm about it!"

"Yes, I imagine he was." Giry glanced away from the girl. "I admit, that frightens me as well. Erik cares about very little. He has known nothing else."

Christine just shook her head, trying to make sense out of all of it. She should hate him. She should be afraid of him... and yet... "He told me to find a new tutor," Christine whispered softly.

"And do you wish to do that?" Giry asked, "Do you want someone else?"

"I should, shouldn't I?" she asked.

Giry shrugged, "That's your own decision."

"It would be the smart thing to do, right?" Christine asked. "I mean, things will just be awkward, and… knowing what he's done, I don't know if I can deal..." She glanced back at Giry. "But," her voice shook, "I still WANT him," she insisted. "I mean… as a tutor… I want… I want Erik." Christine looked away, biting her lower lip nervously. Despite what she now knew, she could not push her feelings away. "I only want Erik," she finished softly.

Giry simply raised an eyebrow at Christine's choice of words, and the girl buried her face in her hands. "I'm so confused!" she cried out. "I should hate him. Be afraid of him! I should run as far away from him as possible!" She raised her head. "You should have seen him when he told me. He was so indifferent."

"It seems you caught him at a rather bad time, Christine," Giry replied. "After such an assignment, Erik needs to be left alone for a while. What you saw in his room was a result of the hole he climbs in to shut himself off." She studied Christine for a moment. "Perhaps you can help him climb out?"

Christine seemed unsure. "I don't know how," she said softly.

"Would you feel comfortable going to him?"

"You mean now?" she asked nervously.

"It is up to you, dear. Maybe you can snap him out of it. Sometimes…" Giry paused, then continued, "sometimes I worry he will fall in so deep that he will not be able to come back out. It's gotten worse lately, I think."

"I… I'll try," Christine stood up, "Maybe… maybe I can go see if… if he's ok,"

"Only if you're comfortable, Christine." Giry stressed, "Otherwise, it will not help him."

Christine nodded, took a deep breath, then headed out of Giry's room.

Erik's Room

Christine opened the door to Erik's room slowly, only to see him sitting in shadow, a single candle his only light. She quietly shut the door behind her and walked up to him, noticing that his mask lay on the other side of the room.

She glanced around and saw an overturned lamp, a fist-sized hole in the wall, and papers strewn across the floor. Drawings? Music? She didn't bother to look. Erik sat on his bed, staring at his hands, his breathing heavy as if he had just exerted himself.

"Erik?" Christine began nervously as she crouched before him. He cocked his head to study her, but said nothing. She remembered something like this happening before. She had thought him ill at the time. She realized now that illness had not been of the body, but of the mind. It had been this. This emptiness that took over when he ... executed.

Christine was still not comfortable with that.

His golden eyes turned away from her, staring at nothing. Was he even there? Or was he gone, as Giry had feared?

Despite her apprehension, despite her discomfort with what she now knew about him, Christine could not help but reach up and wrap her arms around his neck.

She felt his body stiffen, his hands falling to his side. Then something possessed her to turn her head ever so slightly and brush her lips against his skeletal cheek.

"Christine…" He gasped. She heard him take a shuddering breath, felt him trembling ever so slightly.

Christine had snapped him out of whatever darkness he had been lost in.

"Erik?" Christine asked softly. "Are you ok?"

He slid his arms around Christine in return, holding her as if she were his lifeline, and spoke only two words, "Thank you…"

END OF EPISODE 16