I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. Let me know how you think the story is progressing. I still have the last chapter to write, but I plan on doing that tonight. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Christine

Edward left the following day to pack his belongings and move into my house. I wasn't too thrilled with the idea, but thoughts of Erik and his new wife kept creeping back into my mind and I had to admit to myself that Edward was the only one for the job. If I couldn't have him, then no one could.

"Here's the plan," Edward told me one night in bed after a few hours of teasing and love making. Erik had been married already to this Sabine woman for a week now and I was ready for this murder to take place as quickly as possible. "I want to use you as the bait. We could make this very routine or very exciting. By routine I mean you knock on the door, someone is bound to open it, and then I shoot to kill. Hopefully it's Erik that I kill first because I want to have a bit of fun with this Sabine woman. Or, option number two, I kidnap the girl, leave Erik a note as to where to find her, have my bit of fun, and then kill the both of them when Erik comes to rescue his little princess. Which one would you like? Option one or option two?"

"Well, I'd like to talk to both of them before you kill. I want both of them to know why I'm doing this. He had his chance to come back to me and didn't. Option two."

"Great," he answered. "I was hoping you'd choose the right one for me. I like my victims to know a little bit of information before the killing as well. Even though I've never done this before, it sounds fun. Now our only problem is how are we going to get into that house?"

"I might know a way," I exclaimed. "But we'll need some chloroform."

"I love how your mind works. I believe I have some, but not with me. I left it at the house, but don't worry. I can have it here and ready in an hour."

"Hurry," I whispered as he made his way out the bedroom door. "I want to get this finished tonight."

In the hour that Edward was gone, I rose from the bed and dressed seductively but modest as I could to keep Erik busy while Edward kidnapped the woman. This was all going to turn out perfectly. I would distract Erik as Edward crept inside with the chloroform and kidnap the girl after she had fainted. I would wait an appropriate amount of time for this to be done and pretend to get bored with my prey and leave after telling Erik that this was his last chance to have me the way he always wanted. I would storm off in a hurry, and Edward and I would drive off with the fainted woman as our bait. But where would we take her? Edward had already made it clear that he did not want it to take place at his home. I needed something perfect…

An idea came to me. If I still had the key…Yes, there it was in the trinket box in my dresser. It was the key to the Rue Scribe entrance of the Paris Opera House. This was going to turn out better than I thought.

Edward returned and I patiently explained my plan to him as he stood there grinning at me like an idiot. When I was finished, he announced triumphantly, "It's perfect!"

"And a perfect night for a murder to take place. This is Christmas Eve after all. That's why I wanted to perform the task tonight. Madame Giry hopefully will not be there. She always goes to London for the holidays, which is where we'll flee after the killing takes place. Maybe we can stay hidden for a few days here in Paris and then after the New Year head off to London. That will give us enough time to get all of the arrangements made."

"Wonderful. Are you ready to do this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Good. Let's go."

The long ride over to Erik and Sabine's house was silent except for the snow crunching underneath of the wheels and the horses whinnying occasionally. Edward's driver had asked if he needed assistance in which he replied in the negative. We didn't want anyone to witness our behavior. As we rode along, I fingered the Rue Scribe entrance key in my pocket. Edward had written the ransom note shortly before leaving and had tucked it inside of his coat pocket.

When we arrived, Edward hurried over to the rear entrance as I headed for the front. I knocked bravely and breathlessly waited for an answer.

"Christine?" I heard surprise in Erik's voice as he opened the door.

"Hello, Erik. Merry Christmas." I tried to sound naïve and innocent.

"The same to you. Please come in."

I casually walked into the living room just as I had done about a month before. Only this time, my intent was different.

"Sabine," Erik turned to his wife seated on the couch admiring a new bracelet that she had undoubtedly just received from her husband. "Go and get some refreshments, will you my dear?"

Sabine rose and obeyed her husband's requests without so much as acknowledging me and headed to the back of the house. This was going to be easier than I had originally thought.

"Come sit down, Christine. Is there anything I can help you with?"

There was no view of the backdoor from the sitting area which both helped and hindered our plan. Erik couldn't see what was happening with his wife, but I couldn't see Edward's progress either, or rush to his aid if he needed help.

"I've been thinking a lot about you lately, Erik. Ever since Raoul and I separated unexpectedly, I can't seem to stop thinking of you. You were the one I was meant to be with. I know now that I made a childish mistake when I ran away with Raoul. He was a childhood friend and nothing more. I felt passionate when I was with you, Erik. I never felt that around Raoul."

"I'm sorry, Christine but you do know that I'm married."

I nodded sheepishly and looked to the ground.

"I know you are, but I wanted you to know how I felt. Erik, as I've told you before, I need you in my life. Don't you realize what I'm saying? I was your first love, Erik. I'm the woman you wanted all those long years ago and I can be yours now. I love you, Erik. I'm sorry it took more than five years for me to figure that out, but it's true. Run away with me and I will make you happy. I promise. I'll make you happier than Sabine will ever make you."

"You've already failed at that, Madame. More than five years ago you failed at that and I refuse to take you back. I told you that already last month."

"I was only a child then, Erik. I let Raoul make all the decisions for me back then because it was the easy way out and I…"

"The easy way out! Christine, you have just proven to me that you thought I was some sort of monster by mentioning the 'easy way out'! You're almost contradicting yourself!"

"No, no, I didn't mean that at all! Darling, maybe you have forgotten The Music of the Night. I haven't. Not for an instant. That music was so sensual and so beautiful. Maybe you've forgotten how you touched me and how my body reacted to those touches. I can also remember how your body reacted as well." I smiled shyly.

"Sabine should really have been back by now with those refreshments."

"You're trying to change the subject, Erik!"

"Of course I am! My God, Christine. You think after all these years I still want you? I've moved on now and it looks as if you haven't. I'll never forget you, one never forgets their first love, but I have moved on with Sabine. She's a wonderful woman and I love her very much. Why can't you just accept that?"

"Now you know how I felt when I was explaining to you my feelings for Raoul."

"Is that what this is all about!" he shouted, clearly at his breaking point. "Revenge, eh?"

"Sweet revenge. Merciless revenge. The ultimate revenge."

"Get out of my house, Christine! And don't come back."

"Gladly," I whispered closing the gap between us. "Merry Christmas," I spat. "I hope you and Sabine have a good one. I'm sure it will be."

I sneered at him and rushed outside into the snow.

"Is everything ready?" I asked as I climbed into our carriage.

Edward smiled as he hurriedly rushed off into the night and said, "Yes my dear. The little thing didn't even scream. Actually she didn't have time. I attacked from the back, calmly stalking her and then easily putting the rag to her nose. She made a few whimpering noises, faintly struggled, and then collapsed into my arms."

"Did you remember the note?"

"Of course. Do you still have that key?"

I smiled and answered in the affirmative as we drove to the Paris Opera House.