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The sun is rising. Let our story begin…

Chapter 5 – Change of the Tides

Paris - 1870

"…me. Think of me fondly…when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while – please promise me you'll try…"

Erik was growing tired of hearing the Italian opera singer. Her voice was shrill and unyielding. It made his blood boil. Christine had been denied yet again. Rage consumed him. His Angel would not be denied any longer.

He unwound the rope in front of him and watched as the backdrop descended on top of Carlotta. Screams emanated from all around. He smiled, watching the newest managers rush to her side as the rest cowered in fear.

'This is just the beginning.'

Pulling the note from his cloak pocket, he let it flitter to the floor just as he watched Madam Giry step beneath the rafter he was standing on.

His demands would be met. If they were not, he knew the kind of Hell he could bring to the Opera Populaire. It was only a matter of time before they knew true rage.

But his Beauty, his Angel, would be denied no longer.

"Let her sing for you, Monsieur. She has been well taught." Erik could hear Madam Giry insisting. He knew that Madam Giry would not fail him.

He stayed in the shadows and watched as Christine stepped toward the spotlight she had so long deserved.

"Think of me…think of me fondly…when we've said goodbye…"

Erik smiled. His eyes closed in ecstasy. Her voice filled him as never before. It made his blood sing, his heart quicken…

"Remember me once in a while…"

Leaning over the railing, he watched as the spotlight seemed to swallow Christine. It was a place he would never be. The darkness called to him – beckoned to him. He would allow her into the light for the time being. Soon she would be his. She would submit to him as others already had.

There was still time. There was time for him to cast his spell on the young dancer.

'My Angel…'

Christine stepped farther into the light letting it envelope her and fill her as her Angel's voice had. Smiling, she looked out at the empty seats imagining her Angel of Music sitting there – watching her.

"…please promise me you'll try."


Persia – 1854

"Please promise me you'll try." Tears flowed down her cheeks. Her knees stung. Rocks were piercing her skin. She could feel the warm blood running down her calves. It was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.

The Gods were not listening to her pleas. They were damning her here on earth. It was as if her Karma in a past life was being meted out in this life. Did it truly carry over into the next?

Her sobs disturbed the silence around her. The night sky usually calmed her, the stars above her guide to making her soul peaceful.

She felt it. In the darkness there was movement. Slowly rising, she could feel someone moving toward her slowly, seductively.

"Who's there?"

There was no answer. Her heart began to pound like a drum in her chest. After her day with the Sultan nothing should have scared her. But whoever this was scared her.

"Hello?"

A flash of white made her stumble backwards and fall to the ground. As she tried to crawl away, a man's face appeared wearing a white mask.

"I'm sorry…please…don't be frightened…"

His voice stopped her. It seemed to sing to her without any song. Her eyes watched as his sea blue eyes seemed to grow iridescent in the moonlight.

"I heard you weeping."

"What are you doing in the gardens? I thought I was the only one here."

"I live here," he said as he held out a hand. Erik watched as the slave girl trembled. "Please, don't be frightened. I won't harm you."

There was sincerity in his voice –she somehow knew she could trust him. Her hand reached for his outstretched hand. His hand was cold yet calming. He helped her to her feet.

"You are not from this land." She prodded.

"No."

"I'm sorry. I have to go…"

He wouldn't release her hand. Erik drew her close and saw fear fill her eyes. He placed his hand on her cheek and watched as her fear slowly subsided. She closed her eyes as he placed his cheek against hers and closed his own eyes.

"Do not fear me."


Do not fear me…

He could hear her voice in his head. It was mere moments after that he felt the sting of a scorpion.

"The scorpion will not kill you. Its poisonous venom has been removed. But the stings alone will cause great pain."

He grimaced as the creature struck again. The scorpion reacted to every move that he made. She placed another on his chest.

She had repositioned him and he had been too weak to resist. The cold floor beneath him had been a relief, until she had placed the first scorpion on his wounded chest.

She knelt beside him. "They are vile creatures."

"Much as you are." He grimaced as they stung again.

"It is the change in the tides. You will submit to me."

"I doubt it." He felt her remove the scorpions from his chest. His eyes could barely focus. The pain that wracked his body sent every other sense away.

She mounted him, resting upon his stomach. She placed her hands on either side of him and leaned in until her chest met his. She gently kissed his neck and he closed his eyes in fear and ecstasy. She was a siren. Her touch, her voice, her eyes drew men to their deaths. Would he follow the same fate?

"Scream my name."

He would not do it. His throat had gone dry. It had been hours since he had a drink of water.

"You will scream it." She bit his lower lip and he quivered. His resistance was being brought down slowly. Soon, he would not have the strength to deny her any longer. "Why deny me?"