A/N: I'm hoping you guys are still with me. Tell all of your friends to read. I know, I know…cheap plug. It's different, I know. But it will all be worth it in the end. As always, read and review.
The sun is setting…let the story begin.
Chapter 4 – A Slave to Destiny
Persia - 1854
"The sun rises…and it sets. It isn't in control of its actions, much like you." The Sultana circled him. Erik could feel the heat emanating from her body. It was as if he was being burned alive.
"I merely wanted to see…"
"The slave girl. Yes, I know this. She is…exotic."
Exotic would not be the word he would use. She was beautiful and intoxicating. Just the sight of her made his heart quicken and his breath catch. It infuriated him to know that the Sultan would touch her – caress her soft skin…
The Sultana's hands on his neck made his blood run cold. Even the thought of the slave girl could not ease his mind. The Sultana evoked emotions within him that he wished he could hide. She knew she made him quiver. But there was a force behind her eyes that made him want to bow in front of her. Maybe it was the glimpse of evil that enticed him.
"What is it?" Her hot breath made him shudder.
"It's nothing."
"You can picture her, can't you? See her in your mind?"
"Yes."
"Can you also see what the Sultan is doing to her?"
His eyes closed at the thought. A single tear rolled down his cheek. None of the slave girls ever spoke against the Sultan until the girl with the auburn hair. They had all been quiet until she had arrived at the palace.
"You are weak and pathetic. You should be punished yourself."
As she stepped in front of him, he saw the fury in her eyes. It danced and called out to him. She grabbed his throat and Erik began to choke.
"I will not allow a slave to make his own destiny. The slave girl belongs to my husband. You, my masked servant, are mine. Do not make me remind you again."
She shoved him and Erik stumbled backwards, rubbing his throat.
"Think of the slave girl. Think of her and remind yourself that you will succumb to me whether or not you think of me. Imagine it's her skin that you are caressing. Imagine it is her when you are with me. I do not care. But know I will have you bow before me."
Erik watched as the Sultana turned and left, her bodyguards following suit. He knew she was a seductress. It was only a matter of time before he would bow before her and submit to everything she desired.
But it was the slave girl he longed for. He imagined caressing her skin, hearing her voice, and watching her eyes glaze over with pleasure.
"No!"
Erik's eyes closed as he heard the slave girl scream. The Sultan was giving her the punishment he felt she deserved. Erik wanted to be her white knight but all he could offer her was a white mask.
I have failed you…
Paris – 1870
"I have failed you," her voice barely above a whisper. Christine knew she had failed her angel. Again, she had been denied the lead of the newest opera. As much as she had practiced, they continued to reject her.
"You have not failed me, my child. The managers do not recognize talent when they see it."
His voice caressed her – soothed her. She knew he was disappointed, but not so much with her as with the managers.
"My angel…"
"Yes?"
"I will not fail you again. I will be the lead of the next opera."
The darkness seemed to brighten. She knew he was smiling. "I will assure you the next opera, Christine. I will do anything to make sure you are the lead."
"But Senora Giudicelli…"
"She is nothing compared to you. Believe in me…"
She watched as a leather-gloved hand appeared from the darkness. Grasping it, she smiled. Her angel would guide her, protect her.
"Trust me."
"Trust me…" She laughed.
He felt as though the Devil had brought his Hell to earth.
Is this how I am to die?
The sun had set long ago. The two women that had taken care of his wounds had said nothing – did not even look at his face. He knew they had been instructed not to look at him. The only woman that could set her eyes on him was the one who held his fate in her hands.
"Come now, you must have missed me. The girls said you whimpered as they tended to your wounds. I punished them for hurting you so." The laughter continued. "After all, that is my job. No one may hurt you but me."
"I have done nothing…"
"You have done everything!" Her voice silenced the night air. "And I shall take my payment out of your soul."
He trembled as her hands met his chest. The wounds from the night before had not yet begun to heal. His mind could not fathom what she would do to him next.
"I promised you yesterday that I would tell you what you have in store…"
He could see her smile even in the darkness. Stifling a scream, he watched as the moonlight illuminated a blade with blood dripping from it. He had not felt it slice his body.
"I will hear you scream my name – tonight and every night after. Your screams will join hers."
"You will burn in Hell for this."
"I do not believe in Hell. I do not believe in your God. I believe in something much more powerful…" Leaning next to his ear, she caressed his bare chest and let the dagger drop from her hand. "…me."
