Rook to King's level 2

Léandre paced the length of the Library in the Manor. A red slash crossed his cheek from his ear lobe to just below the eye matching as angry as the scowl on his face. Raoul watched him from his seat.

"He trespassed your property and kidnapped your fiancé, stole your horses and attacked your cousin. Yet you tell me you have nothing to report? "

"She chose to go" countered Raoul, "and she is no longer my fiancée"

Raoul was relieved that the Creature had taken Christine. He wasn't sure why but he felt she was safer with the Creature than around Léandre. He didn't like how much interest his cousin had shown in her since his arrival. Raoul was well aware of Léandre's reputation with women; his Lotte would never be one of them. All morning the two men had argued about Raoul's decision to let Christine stay with the Creature. "She chose to go with him" Raoul repeated for the umpteenth time.

"No, she did not. You weren't there to see the terror in her eyes"

Léandre shook his head "Of course she was terrified, you were threatening him"

"Raoul, how can you possibly imagine that she would choose to go with that thing? I saw it with my own eyes. She did not want to go I tell you this. This Monster's got Christine and we have to alert the authorities. Let them apprehend him"

"Leave well alone Léandre. She wants to be with him. I know that!"

"Look at what the bastard did to my face" He pointed to the scar. "Do you think for one moment that I will forget about this?"

"So is this about your face or Christine?"

"This is about capturing a dangerous individual and saving a young innocent girl"

Raoul sat back. "I will not make any report"

"Fine Cousin, if you are so frightened by him then I will make the report. Let the gendarme apprehend him"

"For your sake as well as theirs, leave them be. Do not meddle in his business. It is not your concern"

"You do fear him then! I will go alone and let them know of the kidnapping"

"You will do no such thing" Raoul got up and faced Léandre.

In a few strides Léandre reached the door. Before he crossed the threshold Raoul cautioned "It happened on my property and I will deny it!"

"Fine, it is your property." He looked around him, then faced Raoul again, "I will report the assault made on my person. I can report that without your consent!"

Léandre stormed out the door leaving Raoul in a foul mood. The vicomte wondered where all this would lead to. He recalled when his own obsession with capturing the Creature made him put her in harms way during Don Juan Triumphant. All those armed gendarmes; anything could have happened and did. Seconds after she unmasked him the bullets began to fly. They were under orders not to shoot The Creature while she was near him but they did. It was thanks to the Creature's forethought to take her with him that she had not been hurt.

Raoul was well aware now that regardless of anything else that happened Christine would not return to him. If by chance she was separated from her Erik her thoughts and heart would remain with him. She was irrevocably tied to the Creature. Raoul wanted to see her happy and at peace even if he knew the Creature was not good enough for her. His Lotte, and he would forever refer to her like that, had suffered enough in her short life.

Léandre strode into the Central Gendarme Station in Paris. The main station was this rat hole. What help would they be able to offer him here?

"Where do I report a dangerous criminal?" he said to a mousy looking guard.

The guard on duty was highly impressed by Léandre's noble airs. He admired his fine clothes and boots. Never would he own such fine garments.

"This way Sir" he bowed several times. What a fine gentleman this was. This was a man he could respect and obey.

Léandre followed the guard. The guard's uniform was disgusting with food crumbs scattered over his rotund belly. His neck collar stained from the day's sweat. The man smelled dirty and the Marquis walked quickly keeping his nose away from the guard.

The Guard opened a door and stood aside to allow Léandre entry. "I'm Pierrick. If I can do anything else for you please let me know Sir." Léandre did not answer him but made a mental note that this might be someone whose services he could easily buy.

He was led to a small office where a weary Captain sat drinking a cold cup of coffee.

The Captain, contrary to the entry guard, was not impressed by Léandre but knew that his job depended on pleasing the nobles who wielded so much influence. He could see the point of view of the Commune. Too much power corrupts absolutely. The French nobility had much too much power for his taste. Slowly he came to his feet and greeted the excitable nobleman. He would show respect but he would not fawn all over the man.

"How can we be of service to you?"

Christine sat on a cushioned box Erik had provided for her comfort. Erik stroked her hair pushing it back into place. He placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Erik don't leave me please"

"Christine, I will be right back. We need supplies for our trip"

"We can get what we need on the way" she tried to reason with him but she saw the stubborn set to his chin.

"Christine I need to get some things we'll need for out trip from the lair and I need to make some financial arrangements"

"That's fine Erik but I'm coming with you"

"It is not advisable. I don't know what dangers I'll find there"

She threw him a triumphant look "Then if it is so dangerous you are not going either"

He knew better than to argue with her when she got that look in her eye. He sighed, "I'll go see Nadir he can come with me on both errands"

She did not like it but she knew they would need money for their trip. Going with his friend would provide some security.

"I'll be back in time to make us supper" He adjusted his mask and began to walk toward the entrance.

"If you come home early I will make us supper tonight"

"Do not do that my dear, I will return hungry and will want to be able to eat"

Christine threw her shoe at him. He easily dodged it and laughed. Erik picked up the small weapon and on one knee placed it back on her foot. He pounced on her lips and stole a kiss. She punched him in the arm, hard, knowing he wouldn't feel it. Holding his face in her hands, she kissed his forehead and trailed kissed down to his mouth. He was calm in her hands smiling up at her he showed no self-consciousness. Erik no longer wore the mask around Christine and she could see the charming symmetry his two halves had. He was intoxicating. His eyes soothed her soul. Christine deepened the kiss and they were lost in their world of pleasure for the second time that morning.