A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Erik is still on vacation but sends his love. Once again, read and review as always. I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story. Tell everyone you know!
The sun is setting. Let our story begin…
Chapter 7 – Watched from Afar
"…but what lies within your heart."
Your heart is as black as the night sky. It can't contain love…
He closed his eyes as he felt her lips touch his. She wanted passion and she received none. Her hands joined in the fight to win. He moaned as her tongue demanded entrance. Against better judgment he parted his lips.
What am I doing? Have I sold my soul to the Devil?
Her hands caressed his body, finding their way up to his wrists which were bound by chains. She felt the warmth of his blood from the steel chains that had cut his wrists and sighed as she continued to tease and taste with her mouth.
She pulled back and smiled as he lifted his head for more. She caressed his cheek with hers.
"Say it."
Persia – 1854
"Say it."
The slave girl shook her head. "What is it that you want me to say?"
"Your name, so that I may stop thinking of you as just 'slave girl'."
Her smile lit up the entire garden more than any star that Erik had seen. He continued to caress her back, causing goosebumps to appear on her arms. Erik smiled at the knowledge that he was causing these sensations to happen to a woman who barely knew him.
"Asiya."
"A beautiful and exotic name."
"It means 'one who tends to the weak…one who heals, comforts, and consoles'."
He watched her eyes dance in the moonlight.
"It is still a beautiful name."
"Perhaps the gods sent me to you."
"Perhaps."
"Do you believe in fate?"
"I believe in things unseen."
"You are a mysterious man, Phantom."
Erik looked at her in shock. "Why did you call me that?"
"You lurk in the shadows. You tread where others fear to. You seem more ghost than man."
The words stung him. "I have a name."
"Then I shall use it." She waited with patience, but he didn't speak. "Will you tell me your name or shall I continue to call you Phantom?"
Asiya realized that Erik was looking behind her and turned to see what he was watching. He sensed that someone was watching them. In the highest window of the palace he saw a shadow looking down at them.
"Who is that?"
Erik grimaced because he knew exactly who it was. "The Devil in disguise."
The Devil in disguise. Possibly the Devil's daughter…
He had played right into her hands. The kiss had sent him to a place he hadn't wanted to go. The darkness laughed at his insolence. It knew it was only a matter of time before he succumbed once again.
"Damn you."
"Damnation is something only you believe in."
"Don't you know he could be watching?"
She laughed as she trailed his lips with her finger. He exhaled as she brought her face close to his once again.
"He's never watching. I am in full control of him, just as I am of you."
"You are not in control of me."
His eyes glazed over as she touched him in places that drove him mad. "I beg to differ."
"Stop."
"Never." Looking up at the moon, she watched as it shone through the window and bathed his body in light. "I take what I wish, when I wish."
"You got what you wanted."
"Not yet…" She kissed him – hard and desperate.
Desire washed over him. Her spell had been cast. He would succumb to her. He would let her do as she wished to his body, his mind…
"…your soul." He closed his eyes as she repeated what he was thinking. "I will take you from the light into the darkness."
Paris – 1870
'I will take you from the light into the darkness.'
The mirror in her wall slid open. The Angel of Music stood before her in resplendent glory, illuminated by the flickering candlelight. Christine stood mere inches from him, her eyes wide in astonishment.
He held out his hand to her – black leather fingers waiting to be touched.
"Come to me."
There was no hesitation. She held her breath as she put her hand in his. Even through the leather he could feel the warmth of her hand. He momentarily closed his eyes from the exquisite sensation.
She was his now – forever. Damn the boy. He had nothing to give her. Erik would give her everything – his mind, body, and soul. His music would bring the world to its knees. His love would bring a woman to his heart.
He no longer watched from afar. He took what he wanted, when he wanted. The managers could not stop him. The opera house was his and so was the star within its walls.
'Mine.'
