Chapter 13

Seconds seemed an eternity between Erik's outcry and Madame Giry's response. The pounding from his wounded shoulder seemed to carry throughout his body and Erik forced himself to control the wave of nausea.

"No Erik, she is not dead." Madame Giry's words were quiet, deliberate, worried.

He closed his eyes in relief for a moment, thanking whatever God there was for sparing her. Opening them once again he turned to look at the one person he trusted. "I expect there is a but…" Erik tried to take a deep breath and regretted it. "Do not spare me, Antoinette. I must know how she is."

"I will not lie Erik, it does not look good. Meg has seen her since the physician treated her; I have not." Madame Giry continued her narrative as she moved to pour a glass of water from the small pitcher. "The bullet hit across her neck and lodged in her jaw. It was removed and the wound treated. If the swelling stays at a minimum she will recover."

Erik struggled to sit up and take the offered glass. "You are hiding something, Antoinette."

Sitting beside him, Antoinette helped to guide the glass to Erik's lips, letting him take only a small swallow of the liquid. "This will be hard for you Erik."

"I have endured many hard things in this sorry life, what is it?"

She sat the glass down with a sigh. "The bullet went across her throat, there's a good chance it has damaged her voice. She may not speak, much less sing again."

A sad smirk came to Erik's face. "And to think…her Angel of music... the reason her music is gone."

"Erik…do not be such a fool. I could read the girl's eyes. The entire audience saw you kiss."

"And that means what Antoinette? That she was fooled by a lonely madman? I mean really…how deceitful can you get….playing upon a story handed to her by her father? Months of lessons, promises, encouragement…not for her benefit, but mine. You have no idea Antoinette…none at all."

She regarded him harshly. "Do not presume to think you understand what I know or do not know. Remember that I was in on your scheme, locking doors, emptying corridors, answering unanswerable questions. I didn't have to help you Erik. Why risk my neck and Meg's future?"

He turned away, refusing to answer. "Don't try to guilt me into believing your tale."

She grabbed his chin and turned him hard to face her, ignoring the flash of pain in his eyes at the sudden movement. "Don't belittle all I have done for you Erik. I would do it again. I saw her eyes before tonight's performance, and Meg said she has called for you. Richard may be long dead, but I do know love when I see it."

Erik's eyes never wavered. "But what if it's my love that will kill her?"

"You did not do this Erik, but she is in the care of the one who did. What else could he do to her? Jealousy is a powerful force, as is hate. He will not stop."

"So what is the plan?"

"When Nadir returns, that is what we must work out: how to get you both out of the Opera Populaire."