VIII. Lies

'So,' Erik thought to himself. 'She trusts me.' He tapped his fingers along the mahogany table. 'Alone, gullible, and willing to make me happy. Foolish little girl. Love is an ideal.' Several ideas had flitted in and out of his head on what he would do with her. Thinking back to their last conversation he laughed. He had only said those things to make her happy.

Rape was a different issue. He thought back to what she said about the rape. How she would forgive him. God she was fucking stupid. No, gullible. He felt no remorse. All he saw in her was a way to vent out frustration and to refine his sexual skills. She had made the wrong mistake to stay down here, to be with him. She was now in his domain and would take her if he wish it.

Leaning back into his chair he laughed deeply. His golden eyes glittering dangerously. What luck he was having. "Erik." A tired sounding voice called out.

Growling softly he turned around and glared at her. "What do you want?"

She cowered somewhat. "I was wondering if you would let me go out to get some new dresses. I will use my own money."

"No."

"But, why not?"

"You made your sacrifice. You are not going back up there. You can sew your own clothes."

"But. I need to go out."

"Go back to bed!"

"No!"

Turning around quickly he glared at her. "No. No! I think you have forgotten who is in charge here."

"I haven't."

"Then surely you know better than to act like that."

"I know how to act Erik! Now let me out to buy a new dress!"

"Alright."

"What?"

"Go ahead. You will have to swim out."

"Fine."

Watching her he smirked while reaching out to grab the lever to lower the trellis. He watched her wade through the water to the cave entrance then pulled the lever up and watched as the trellis lowered before she could make it. "You cheat!"

"You will find mademoiselle that I do not allow certain persons who know my story to escape."

"I promised that I would take it to my grave."

"I don't believe you."

"I burned my papers for God's sake!"

"That doesn't mean anything to me."

"You lied to me."

"No. Well...yes. You see mademoiselle I find that I have no use for a wife. Or love."

"You're going to kill me."

"No. I wouldn't kill my whore unless she disobeyed me."

"I'm not your whore. I am no one's woman."

"I find that difficult to believe."

"Go to hell."

She turned around and glared at him while he descended into the water. "Come out."

"No. I would rather die."

"I wouldn't want you to die."

"You want me to be your whore. You have no concept of remorse. How can you live with yourself?"

"I have killed many people and I have no remorse. Why should rape be different?"

Sinking into the water she shivered while watching him come closer to her. Fear spread through her as he drew nearer. "I hate you. You lied to me."

Twisting some hair around his fist he pulled her out of the water. "Maybe you should have thought of that before you disobeyed me once before. Go back to bed. I will deal with you later."

"No."

"Let me make this clear to you Zuri. You will go back to bed and wait for me or the consequences will be harsh."

"Go to hell." She repeated.

Erik was finally getting fed up with her and pushed her cruelly up the steps only pausing to pull her on her feet when she tripped. Pushing her onto the bed he made sure that she was face down on the velvet sheets before binding her hands. "We'll talk later."

"Erik!"

"Shut up before I make you."

"Opera ghost!"

Ignoring her he went to the inner chamber and began to work on his opera.

Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate them so much.