Hey everyone! Here we go again with the next chapter! I am proud, and a little sad, to announce that after this one only four more chapters wil follow before this story reaches its happy ending! Now don't worry, we'll see plenty of exitement before that, starting right here. I have two more days before I leave on a two week holiday to sunny Crete, so if updates slow down again you'll know why. Bear with me people, and don't forget to review! -x- Lotte.

An exited moan echoed through the hallway just as a group of ballerina's passed through it. They looked from one to the other, knowing very well what had just happened in that particular dressing room.

Julie snickered at Thérèse. "Sophie had better not show up late or Madame Sabine will have her hide!"

Thérèse nodded vaguely, the situation worrying her more than she thought it would. She had always had a strong dislike for Roger DuChamps, but the fact that he had hurt these people so close to her so badly, was more than she could bare. Monsieur Erik seemed cool and restrained in all of his actions, having safely re-established the myth of the Opera Ghost in everyone's minds, yet she could tell by his eyes that the obvious betrayal his daughter was suffering was eating away at him all the same. It seemed to lure out a darker side of him, eliciting the most evil of tricks and hoaxes from his mind.

Belongings went missing, musical instruments just tuned were awfully off key the very next minute, thumps and scratches were heard along the dimly lit corridors at the weirdest hours and for every joke made an unseen presence seemed to be laughing along in a hollow, echoing chuckle. Not one week had passed before everyone was walking on the tips of their toes, along a chord the Opera Ghost had hung mid air. The only thing missing were the dreaded notes, but the managers flattered themselves only in believing the Ghost had nothing to remark to just yet.

A few brave souls had claimed it was probably an imposter, a man wanting to terrorise the Opera House by imitating the strange happenings from the past, and had gone down to the cellars to investigate. They were shocked to find that the traps that had taken years to find and remove, had all been replaced in the exact same locations only with different triggers altogether, making it sheer impossible to reach further down as the third level without risking serious injuries to oneself. No man could have done this save the ghost himself. And he had surely died from the fire that fateful night…

As the corps de ballet started their warm ups they were joined last minute by Sophie, who indeed received a stern look from their ballet mistress but no more for now. As Roger passed their group he made no attempt to hide the lust in his eyes, gently running his tongue across his lips before trotting off with his friends. Thérèse heard Sophie chuckle just behind her.

"Such a bad boy…" Suddenly she could take no more.

"I do not see how you can pride yourself in the relations you are keeping with that man. Besides the fact that he is a despicable person he is also married. Wed to one of your former friends from the ballet, awaiting his return tonight. How can you sleep at night?"

Sophie's eyes turned cold, as she searched Thérèse's face. "Oh please, spare me. Céline Alighieri was never a friend of mine, or need I remind you I was about to step up to prima before they dragged her out here from Italy? And I do not see how it is my fault she fails to keep her husband satisfied. We all know full well Roger would never have married the little scarecrow had it not been for her money. But seeing as you have quite the little scandal going on yourself I would suggest we refrain from turning into pots and kettles here. Wandering off in the dark with some handsome stagehand, I wonder what your poshy family might have to say of that dear, really…"

Thérèse could feel the eyes of the other ballerina's burn in her back, as she once more cursed Luca for his rash decision. He had not meant to hurt her reputation however, and she was sure Roger DuChamps would not think twice to let go of Sophie should another, better opportunity arise. She could only hope Monsieur Erik had not overheard the ignorant girl's harsh words or there would be hell to pay!

"Well at least the man I keep relations with is an honourable and kind one." She shot back, before Madame Sabine approached them and icily ordered them on stage.

From the back rows of the theatre Luca sat safely hidden in the shadows, watching Thérèse perform. He had overheard her words to Sophie and though perhaps unwise, her courageous words had filled him with a huge amount of respect for the girl. Perhaps he ought to apologise to her for his petty arrogance of yesterday. Much as they always seemed to end in an argument he rather enjoyed their conversations in the dark, and found the girl quite an adapt partner on many a subject. They had discovered that both of them were ardent readers, stuck in the world of their books rather than actually traveling the globe themselves. Thérèse had expressed a wish to join her father on his travels one day, and he found himself longing to go also.

As he looked up again he noticed rehearsals to have ended, and just as he rose to meet back with his father he saw Roger DuChamps purposefully staring after the retreating ballerinas before following them of stage. Only he wasn't after Sophie this time, who was still being lectured by her ballet mistress. So who…? At once he jumped, recalling Thérèse's defense of Céline. This was not good at all!

From the shadows Roger had been listening in on their conversation. He had underestimated the little blonde. Being a Giry, she would of course feel like family to Céline and should the girl ever decide to open her mouth to her "dear cousin" he could be in a lot of trouble. This situation must be dealt with immediately…

Thérèse had just waved goodbye to her friends, who had assumed as much that she wanted to be by herself, when she heard a noise behind her. Thinking it would be Luca coming to whisk her away once more she turned with an annoyed smile. Only no one was there. Just as she continued her walk she was roughly slammed face first towards the wall, causing the air to be pushed from her lungs.

"Well, well, what have we here? A pretty ballerina all by herself? You should be more careful in these halls my dear Tessa, you never know what ghosts might be lurking…"

She quickly recognised the husky whispers of Roger DuChamps, and tried to shrug him off.

"Get off of me you filthy bastard!"

"Tsk, such harsh words coming from such a tiny woman. For tiny you are, you little trollop. You would do best to remember that should you attempt to have a little conversation with my dear Céline anytime soon…"

With that he quickly spun her around, running a hand along her soft curves as the other kept her hands in place behind her.

"You are nothing to me but a toy, a fragile little thing that can be easily disposed of. Talk, and I will make sure your days here are over. Your virtuous reputation will not stand for much longer, ma cherie."

"If you dare touch me I will tell all who wish to know!"

"Brave words my dear, but who do you think they will believe? An honourable, married singer or an ill reputed ballet rat with a mystery lover? I will say you attempted to seduce me, and with Sophie's testimony you will have nothing to fall back on. You will lose when you try to rise against me girl, trust me."

"Really? I recall the last time you attempted to blame an innocent young woman for your twisted evils. That didn't exactly go as you wished it, now did it?"

Both of them spun around to see but the shadow of a young man, slowly walking towards them, his voice laced with anger and contempt.

Roger was temporarily off guard by the third person, wracking his brain as to who he might be. And how would he know of his past?

"Don't tell me, this must be Mademoiselle Valmont's secret lover? If you are truly such an honourable man as she claims you to be you would step into the light where I can see you, you coward."

As the young man eventually did, the look of surprise and shock could only dawn on Roger momentarily before a hard punch to the face made him sink to the floor.

"I will step closer Monsieur, you however do not deserve the light of day." Luca hissed his last words so bitterly that even Thérèse shrank away in fear before finally allowing her tears of fright to fall. Before she knew it Luca's arms encompassed her, gently lifting her from the cold floor to carry her off to a warm and safe place.

"Hush, it's alright now. He cannot hurt you anymore. If anyone is to leave this Opera House it will be him, I assure you. Father will personally see to it after we tell him what has happened."

As he continued to whisper his reassuring words into her blond curls she felt herself drifting off into a comforting sleep, until she was embraced by the lair's cool darkness once more…

As she woke she found herself back home in her own room, her mother sitting by her side, looking worried.

"Maman, what has happened?"

"Monsieur Erik brought you home from the Opera House dearest, he told me what had happened between you and Roger DuChamps. I wish you and grand-mère would have told me about your plans Tessa. God, I thought my heart stopped when they came to bring you here! Things could have gotten a lot more dangerous than the bruise you have now, you know…"

Bruise? She lazily traced her cheek and was cruelly reminded of just how hard she had been thrown into that wall. If Luca hadn't arrived when he did….

"Are Monsieur Erik and Luca still here?" Say yes, oh please say yes!

Meg doubted for a second, knowing her daughter would not like what she was about to hear.

"No dearest, they went back to the Opera House, they said they would go and deal with Roger from there. I…I'm sorry my sweet but I have made them promise that they would no longer ask for your assistance in this matter. I cannot stand to think you are out there on your own while someone wishes evil upon you. I hope you understand."

Thérèse nodded weakly, she did understand. But that didn't make the situation any easier. They had come very close to incriminating Roger, which meant they would confront him soon…and be off to Italy again. And the sudden realisation she might never see Luca again hit her harder than Roger had done that very afternoon…

The very next morning as the managers of the Opéra Populaire arrived at their theatre, they found the place in a state of complete shock. No one had had any sleep that night as loud, aggressive organ music had resonated throughout the building, complimented with sorrowful moans. No one could have painted their horror however, on finding an actual note on their desk, written on crisp ivory stationary in the infamous red ink their predecessors had told them of:

My dear managers,

I hope you have enjoyed your peace, for it will end this day. Too long it seems has this beloved palace of the arts missed my guidance, for my awakening has brought me nothing but sorrow. I have decided to grant you a fair chance to correct yourselves, before taking matters into my own hands. If you have studied the journals of your predecessors as closely as I believe you to have done, you will know you would not wish such a fate upon your cast and crew.

Your orchestra is acceptable but lack however the proper guidance to make their talents truly excel. I am sure many a more talented conductor is wandering the streets of our beloved city as we speak, searching employment in an honourable establishment as the Populaire. Seek him! Find him!

Your Prima Donna, though strong in voice, should moderate her body mass as much as her despicable demands and tantrums. I do not stand for such flaws in character messieurs, either she learns to behave like the professional she claims to be or I will personally tutor her.

But the matter which pains my heart most is that of the loose morals among your staff. Harlots portraying to be sweet girls toss up their skirts to any fashionable actor or stagehand who wishes to put his hands on her, while the innocent women of true virtue are bullied and threatened to the very edge of their sanity. This cannot continue, I assure you this will not continue. I have hereby included a list of the people found wanton. I suggest you let go of these foul beings as soon as may be for if not I would gladly do it for you. They will then, however, meet their maker to stand trial for their crimes.

I remain, messieurs, your obedient servant.

O.G.

The list, among many, contained the names of Sophie Lenoir and Roger DuChamps…