Rekindling the Music of the Night

By: K.C. Vaillancourt

Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera or lyrics of any songs I use.

Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.

Author Note – Thank you to those who take the time to review, follow, or favorite my Phanfic. This has been a labor of love and everyone's support means a lot to me.

I know things moved pretty quickly between Erik and Christine in the last chapter but for them it is making up for six years of lost time, it felt right that things moved the way they did.

After a long wait we are finally moving on to a new chapter!


The Trap is Set

Christine was the first of them to wake and she carefully turned herself so she was facing Erik. She smiled as she watched him sleeping peacefully with a slight smile on his face. She gently caressed his cheek thinking about the night before. His skin was rough and she noticed during the night his wig had come off. She ran her fingers through his hair. It was a light blonde and felt brittle to her touch unlike the silky hair that was on the side of his face that was untouched by his deformity. She let her smile widened as she finally looked at the real man he kept hidden from the world, her Erik.

She was surprised he hadn't woke up at her touch. He had told her he was a light sleeper or did not sleep at all. She sighed contently in his arms and her mind began to wander as she felt the engagement ring on her finger. She began to imagine what their wedding would be like. Her wedding to Raoul had been the social event of the year according to some with over two hundred guests, most of whom she had never met. She was uninvolved in the planning being told by Raoul to wear and do as she was told.

Her and Erik's wedding would be different. She pictured a small intimate gathering in a garden surrounded by various flowers. She let her mind wander beyond their wedding and she caught herself wondering what their children would be like. That thought made her mind come crashing back to the present. She looked at Erik who was still sleeping. Did he want children? She wondered to herself. Would he be willing to risk passing on his own deformity to a child? She had never thought about it before but at this moment she knew she wanted to carry his children and would love them no matter what.

She pushed the thoughts away. It wasn't a conversation that needed to be had now. They had plenty of time before children were discussed. She closed her eyes forcing her mind back to the present and a familiar melody came to her. She sang softly and quietly not wanting to wake her sleeping angel. "Night time sharpened, heightened each sensation. Darkness stirred and waked imagination. Silently our senses abandoned their defenses. Slowly, gently night unfurled its splendor. We grasped it, sensed it, tremulous and tender. No longer turned away from the beauty of day. We'll bask in its warm embracing light. We've rekindled our music of the night."

Christine smiled as she opened her eyes and saw Erik's meet her own as his embrace around her tightened pulling her closer joining her in song. "Close your eyes and surrender to our fondest dreams. Purge our thoughts of the lives we knew before. Close our eyes, let our spirits start to soar. Now we'll live as we've never lived before."

"Softly, gently, music shall caress us." She sang as her hand brushed his cheek. "Hear it, feel it, secretly protect us. Open up our minds, let our fantasies unwind. In this pleasure that we know we cannot fight. We've rekindled our music of the night."

"Let our minds start a journey to a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of this life we knew before. Let our souls take us where we long to be. Only then can we be truly free." They're voices melded together in perfect harmony. "Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation. Let our dream begin, let our loving side give in
to the power of the music that we write. We've rekindled our music of the night."

Christine leaned up giving him a kiss which he immediately returned. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"I was already awake." Erik revealed with a grin. He rubbed her back as she laid her head on his chest. He was pulled back into the moment when he felt Christine pull herself up and caress his face.

"I should have known."

"I would have let you know but I was enjoying your touch and voice." Erik commented stroking her cheek.

"I don't want this moment to end but…" Before she could finish her stomach growled. "Obviously I'm starving."

Erik held back a laugh. "I believe there are still some pastries leftover from yesterday." Christine sat up and turned her bare back to him. His eyes widened when he saw the full extent of her scars. When she ripped off her shirt the night she found him the majority of her back was covered by her undergarment. He felt anger welling up in him but pushed it deep down not wanting to ruin the moment. Before Christine could get up he leaned forward and ran his hand down her back feeling the numerous coarse diagonal scars from Raoul's lashes. He noticed a few circular ones as well that he knew were from burns. "Oh Christine. How did you live through such pain?"

Christine starred ahead taking a deep breath before she turned around to face him pulling the sheet around her like a towel. "I thought of you. I think of them as the scars I bare for not being honest with myself and being with who I truly wanted to be with."

"Ma Cherie you know you are not to blame for what happened to you." Erik said as he sat up and pulled her back into his arms. "I only wish your beautiful skin didn't have to carry such horrible scars because of me."

"They are not because of you. You didn't force Raoul to beat me. We all have to carry scars, you carry your own as well." Erik placed a hand to his deformed face but she shook her head. "I felt the scars on your back from the beatings you took while we were making love last night. I'm sure you felt mine even if you didn't realize it at the time. Everyone carries scars from their past. Some you can see and some you can't. We can't let them stop us from having a wonderful future."

Erik bent down and kissed her. "You are very wise my angel."

"I had a great teacher." Christine whispered. She pulled herself out of his arms and got up from the bed. She picked up his shirt from the floor and pulled it on to cover her bare body. She found the bag of left over croissants on the dressing table and returned to the bed.

As he watched her get back on the bed it was then he noticed the hint of a black wig under the crimson sheet. He placed a hand to his head and immediately realized his deformity was completely exposed. Christine noticed his panic and immediately put the bag down placing a hand under his chin so he was looking at her. "Like your mask, your wig is another barrier you don't need when you're with me." She smiled. "I am happy to finally see you without your wig. I was thinking before I started to sing that I finally get to see the real you, my Erik. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with." She leaned up kissing him deeply. "Your face doesn't define who you are." She placed her hand over his heart. "This does."

Erik smiled taking her hand in his and pulling her into another kiss. He held her face in his hands when their lips parted. "Just when I think I can't love you more."

Christine smiled and made herself comfortable in his arms. As they were eating she glanced at her engagement ring. "What kind of wedding do you want?"

He finished the bite in his mouth before he answered. "I honestly never thought I would be lucky enough to marry so I never gave much thought to it. What would you like?"

"I always wanted a small but elegant wedding in a garden with various flowers growing around us. A small group of friends with us to celebrate our day. My husband to be and I would be married under a beautiful arch laced with red and black roses."

"If that is your dream wedding. Than that is the wedding we will have." Erik promised her.

Christine turned around. "I don't care if our wedding is in an alley way. My dream has already come true." She brought her lips closer to his.

"So has mine." He closed the gap between their lips. Christine ran her fingers through his hair as she rested her arms around his neck. She smiled as she felt him slowly removing his shirt from her body and pulling her closer as they once again gave in to their shared passion.

"I used to make believe you were with me." Christine whispered as her head laid on his chest.

"What?" Erik asked looking down at her.

"When I was alone at night and everybody else was sleeping." Christine said as she lifted her head. "I would think of you and it would get me through the company I was keeping. While Raoul was asleep I was free to live inside my head. Pretend you were beside me, feel your arms around me. When I lost my battle with sleep I would dream that you found me and took me away from that place." She sighed. "Then I would wake up and realize it was only in my mind"

"If I had known how you truly felt I would have come for you. Now that you are with me if anything were to separate us know this, I will always find you."

"And I you." Christine replied and Erik noticed a sparkle enter her eyes. "I don't think that is something we will have to worry about once we get to America."

He couldn't help but laugh. "You are eager to leave aren't you?"

"Now that it's relatively safe I see no reason to put it off." She reasoned.

"Then I guess we should pack." Erik said with a smile.

Raoul and Anton were hold up in his study discussing their plan for Erik. "Do you think it will work?"

"As long as Rosalie plays her part and convinces Javert I can't see how we can fail." Anton answered.

"Do it." Raoul said. Anton nodded and left the room. Raoul stood and began to pace thinking about what they had decided to do. He silently prayed that their trap would work because if it didn't it would certainly lead to the demise of not only himself but his companions. He shook his head and walked out of the study nearly knocking Rosalie to the floor. "Just the woman I was looking for." He said as he caught her.

"Excuse me sir?" Rosalie questioned.

"There is something I need you to do when Anton returns." Raoul told her and let her into the study closing the door behind them.

Madame Giry heard the door being unlocked and saw Anton entering the room. "I take it you did not find my daughter."

"You knew we wouldn't." Anton said as he approached her.

Madame Giry noticed a bit of a twinkle in his eye. She knew whatever he had come up here to do was going to be far more unpleasant than anything she had experienced thus far but she stayed her usual stoic self and showed no fear. "You seem to be in a good mood for a man who was beaten by a woman."

Anton smiled as he leaned down so he was face to face with Madame Giry. "We may not have your daughter but we do have you, a beloved member of this community." He paused. "How ironic that you were the one to save the phantom and now you will be the one to help us put him in his grave."

"You should know by now that I would never do such a thing."

Anton laughed. "You act as if you have a choice." He walked over and Madame Giry saw him grab something. When she saw what was in his hand as he approached her she closed her eyes waiting for him to make his move.

Raoul was in the study with Rosalie when Anton entered. He nodded to Raoul indicating that it was time. Past the point of no return. Raoul thought to himself and returned his attention to Rosalie. "Do you remember everything you are supposed to do?"

"Of course M. Vicomte." Rosalie said taking the envelope from him. "I will not fail you."

"Good. A horse is ready for you in the stables, now go." Raoul ordered.

Rosalie stood leaving the room quickly bowing her head to Anton as she left. He looked at Raoul. "Now we only have to hope he comes to rescue her."

"He will." Raoul said as he poured them both a brandy. "She rescued him once. He will feel obligated to do the same for her." He took a couple sips of his drink. "Gerald!" He bellowed.

After a few moments Gerald appeared at the doorway. "Yes M. Vicomte."

"You and the staff are free to leave the estate for the evening I have no further use for you tonight." Raoul noticed Gerald raise an eyebrow. "Were my words unclear? You and the staff have worked tirelessly since we arrived. You have earned a night out of this house. Go, before I change my mind."

"Thank you M. Vicomte." Gerald said and disappeared to spread the word to the rest of the staff. He thought the Vicomte's kindness was odd but was not going to turn down a much deserved and needed night off. He was certain the rest of the staff would agree.

Raoul heard the upbeat voices of his staff leaving the house. Not long after they left Victor and Vincent arrived. Raoul looked at Anton. "Let's get to work. If Rosalie is successful we will need to be gone before they get here."

Rosalie stopped her horse as she reached the headquarters of the Surete. Her heart was pounding. This was finally her chance to prove her devotion to the Vicomte. Perhaps if she played her part perfectly he would see her as more than just a one-time companion. "Can I help you Mademoiselle?" A man asked pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Yes." Rosalie said. "I must see the head of the Surete immediately."

"He is busy at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?"

"No, it is a matter regarding the Vicomte De Chagny and I was instructed to only speak with M. Javert Chevalier."

"Follow me." The man said and led her up to the Javert's office. "Wait here." He told her as he went into the office. Rosalie fidgeted nervously as she waited. Finally the door opened. "M. Chevalier will see you."

"Merci." She said bowing her head at him and walked into the office.

Javert shook her hand and offered her a seat as he closed the door behind her. "I was told this is in regards to the Vicomte De Chagny."

"Yes, sir." Rosalie said and handed him the envelope. "After you left yesterday afternoon the phantom made his presence clear. This arrived on our doorstep during the night."

Javert opened the envelope and read the letter he found inside.


M. De Chagny,

Do not fear for Miss Daae. Now that she is free from you her angel of music has her under his wing. I warned you long ago to make no attempt to see her again. You did not heed my warning and put her through untold tortures. Your marriage to her may be over but I have concluded that that is not enough. I think it is time the same tortures were revisited on you along with making sure you can never seek her out again. I hope you have enjoyed your time on this Earth. I promise you it will be your last.

OG


Javert narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rosalie and then back at the letter. "You say this letter arrived this morning? Why did he wait until near sunset to alert me?"

"I do not know sir." Rosalie said producing tears. "M. De Chagny showed me the letter and sent me to you. He thought that if he came himself you would turn him away. Please, you must come to the De Chagny estate and stop him."

This all smelled a bit too convenient to Javert since it was just yesterday he told the Vicomte he was on his own. "Go back and tell the Vicomte that the Surete including myself will set up a perimeter outside his estate to see if this phantom comes out of hiding."

"Thank you M. Chevalier." Rosalie said wiping away her tears and shaking his hand as she left his office. The Vicomte had warned her that it would be difficult to convince the Surete to come but she did so well she wondered if she had missed her calling as an actress. She walked outside mounting her horse and quickly made her way back.

Inside his office Javert read the letter again. He left his office and walked downstairs. "Bailey."

"Yes sir." A young man answered standing up.

"Gather some men. We are going to the De Chagny estate."

"Forgive me sir but I thought we were removed from that situation. Has something changed?"

"I'm not sure." Javert answered looking down at the envelope in his hand. He looked up to see the young man still standing in front of him. "You heard me. Gather half a dozen men and meet me outside."

The young man nodded and went to carrying out his superior's orders. Javert placed the letter in his pocket as he walked outside. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was fishy about what he was bringing him and his men into. He was immediately ready to send the young woman on her way but knew he needed to know what the Vicomte was up to. Whether a real threat or not this situation could not continue to consume Paris and he would be sure to make that clear to the Vicomte if this turned out to be the lie he thought it was.

Christine finished fastening her riding corset while Erik was putting on his mask. They both put on their cloaks and were ready to go. Erik carried Christine's suitcase along with two additional larger ones which carried mostly money and a few things he had forgotten were here than he wanted to keep with him.

"What about your books and music? First the cabin, now here. There are so many things you are leaving behind." Christine observed.

"When we are settled I have a few friends that will pack and send things we want." Erik assured her.

"Can I help you carry one of those?" Erik shook his head and Christine couldn't help but roll her eyes at his insistence to be a gentleman. She opened the door so he could get through and they made their way to the stables. Erik told Christine where to open the door. When it opened Christine gasped when she saw a woman on the ground with brunette hair and blonde roots. She kneeled down and moved some of her hair away from her face. She noticed some of it stuck a bit due to the dried blood on her face. Even through the bruises she immediately knew who it was and looked up at Erik. "It's Meg."

Erik put down the suitcases leaving them by the wall and went into the stable. He carefully picked her up cradling her in his arms. "Let's get her back to the bed room." Erik laid her on the bed and Christine was immediately by her side. In the light she could see more bruises. "What happened to her?"

"I don't know." Erik whispered. "She could have met up with some unsavory gentlemen on the road." He went into the wash room and came back with a bucket of water and cloth.

Christine began to gently clean the dried blood from her face. As she was finishing Meg began to stir. "Meg…Meg, its Christine."

Meg slowly open her eyes and turned her head away as they adjusted to the candle light. Her head was pounding and the room was spinning. When it was stopped she saw she was in a room she didn't recognize and was immediately alarmed. She felt herself beginning to tremble. She tried to remember how she got here. She looked to her left when she realized the voice she had heard trying to wake her was the voice of a friend. "Christine?" She whispered and looked at the man behind her. "Erik, am I dreaming?" She asked as she looked back at Christine.

"No. No, Meg, we're real." She assured her. Meg sighed in relief. Christine took Meg's hand. "Do you remember what happened to you?"

Everything was hazy because of the throbbing in her head but Meg thought back and it suddenly crashed back to her. She sat up with tears streaming down her cheeks, ignoring the pain she felt. She leapt into Christine's arms holding her as tight as she could. "He's got her." She whispered frantically as she cried. "He's got her Christine. He's got Maman. I left her alone." She continued to say it over and over through her tears.

Christine tried to calm her hysterical friend. "Who Meg?" She got no response as Meg continued to cry. "Meg, you have to tell us. Who has your mother?" She feared she already knew the answer. Meg was hysterical and Christine decided to stop trying to interrogate her. She returned her embrace but let go when Meg yelled out in pain. She forced Meg to turn around and gasped when she saw the deep gashes on her back. She turned her back around and placed her hands on either side of her face. "Meg, what happened to you?"

Meg took deep breathes to calm herself before she answered. Tears still came but she found herself calm enough to speak. "It was Raoul and his men."

Christine hoped Erik had been right about it being strangers on the road but knew in her heart it was him. "Will you allow Erik to tend to your wounds while you tell me what happened?"

Meg nodded. Erik looked away while Christine helped her to stand and removed her upper garments. Christine felt tears come to her eyes as she saw the bruises the covered her friend's body. She brought her over to the dressing table and covered her front with her cloak. "Erik, you can turn around."

Erik began to gather what he needed and kneeled down behind Meg. Erik felt rage filling him as he looked at the numerous gashes on Meg's back from the lashes she was forced to endure. "This may sting as I go." He warned her and began to clean the dried blood away so he could properly treat her.

Christine was on her knees in front of Meg holding her hands. "What happened?"

Meg looked at Christine. "Once Maman knew you both were determined to go to the cemetery she went to see Bernard, an old friend from the opera house. She had him go to Raoul and tell him our location in hopes that he would be away from Paris when you arrived."

"Now I understand what Raoul meant." Christine whispered to herself and looked back at Meg. "Why did she do that?"

"She was trying to keep you both safe." Meg said in slightly harsh tone but took a deep breath and continued. "Bernard was to lead them astray to give us time to be on our way but before we could leave we were apprehended by two men and brought to Paris." Meg took a moment before she continued. "We were bound in an attic and eventually Raoul arrived. He revealed to us he had confronted you both at the cemetery and wanted to know where you were going next. We refused to tell him anything so Raoul had his men Anton, Victor and Vincent "interrogate" us for the next two days to try to get us to talk. Maman knew that once we entered that house we weren't leaving with our lives so yesterday…" She flinched when she felt a sting on her back but continued. "Maman made me swear that if I found the opportunity to escape I would. Raoul had decided we had outlived our usefulness and told Anton to kill me first." Christine gasped but let Meg finish her story. "It took all I had but I was able to get away from them and to Cecile."

"How did you know we were here or about the hidden stables?" Christine asked.

"I happened upon them a few years ago when I was poking around a few new tunnels I found in the opera house. I didn't know you were here. I needed a place to hide and this was the first place I thought of." Meg explained. She lowered her head. "I left her there alone with them."

Christine put a hand on her shoulder. "You did what she wanted you to do. She's your mother and knew she had to ensure your safety."

"Now I'm going to ensure hers." Erik said as he finished the final bandage and stood up.

Meg and Christine both looked up. "What?"

"I'm going to rescue her from those animals." Erik told them as he fastened his cloak.

Christine walked over to him. "No, that is exactly what they are expecting you to do. Don't you see you'll be walking right into a trap?"

"You'd rather my mother stayed with them to die." Meg whispered harshly starring daggers at Christine from where she sat.

"I didn't say that." Christine stated as she turned toward Meg.

"You may as well have." Meg insisted as she stood up and walked slowly toward her. "What if it were Erik?" She asked. "He is the only one who can save her and you know it. After everything she has done for you, you are content to leave her to die."

"What good does it do any of us if he walks into Raoul's trap and they are both killed?" Christine asked matching Meg's angry tone.

"Enough!" Erik shouted but quickly got control of himself. "From both of you." He turned Christine around and held her close. "I have no doubt that Raoul has something waiting for me but Madame Giry has saved me not once but twice. She and Meg helped us to be reunited. They put themselves in danger to cover our escape. I'd never be able to live with myself if I left her to die. I have to go." He brought his face closer to hers. "Please understand ma Cherie."

Christine closed her eyes holding back tears and then looked at Erik. "Do whatever is necessary to ensure her safety." Erik nodded knowing her meaning. She leaned up and kissed him deeply. "I should go with you."

Erik shook his head. "I can't let you put yourself in danger."

"Let me?" Christine said as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Christine, I can't do what I need to do and worry about something happening to you. I have to do this alone."

"Alright." She relented. "I'll stay behind but please be careful. Lord knows who will be waiting for you. "

Erik took her hand and gently kissed the ring she wore. "I promise we will return to you both." After giving Christine one last kiss and looking to Meg he disappeared from the room. He ran up the tunnel and quickly readied Cesar. He patted his head leading him toward the door. As he rode in the night toward the estate he silently hoped his dear friend was alright.

Christine and Meg stood silently as they watched the door close. "I'm sorry." Christine said as she walked to the wardrobe and gave Meg one of Erik's shirts to wear then made her way to sit down on the bed. "You were right. If our roles were reversed nothing would stop me from going to save him."

Meg nodded and sat down on the bed next to Christine. "I know why you didn't want him to go. Raoul and the company he keeps are monsters. I will never understand how you endured them as long as you did."

"Honestly, neither will I." Christine responded taking Meg's hand in her own.

"Raoul wasn't there for any of the, interrogation, but I have never seen such evil men or felt such pain my life."

"I am so sorry Meg." Christine said as tears filled her eyes.

"You tried to warn us about the danger. Nothing that happened as a result of us not listening to you is not your fault."

Christine nodded even though she still felt tremendous guilt about what happened to her and her mother. Then she thought of someone Meg hadn't mentioned. "You said Anton took you and your mother back to Paris. "What happened to Bernard?"

"Anton killed him." Meg whispered. "He stabbed him and left him to rot in the forest as if he was nothing more than trash."

"Anton is a vial man." Christine said and tightened her grip on Meg's hand. "I promise you they will pay for what they've done."

Meg smiled and covered Christine's hand with her own but lifted it back up when she felt something hard brush against her palm. She looked down and saw the ring on Christine's finger. "Are you and Erik?" Christine nodded not being able to help the wide smile that crossed her face. "When did he ask?"

"Last night." Christine told her.

Meg could tell there was more to the story. "And?"

"And what?" Christine tried to hide the heat entering her cheeks.

"Not only are you engaged but you also…?"

"We made love." Christine admitted.

"How was it?" Meg asked before she could stop herself and then she was the one to blush.

Christine sighed smiling. "It was amazing. Better than anything I ever had with Raoul."
She paused for a moment. "To tell you the truth Raoul and I never made love that often. He wanted me to bear his child not long after we were married. I came up with any excuse I could to put him off."

"Wait, what about your marriage?" Meg asked.

"Erik used, connections that he had and was able to have it ended. He told me last night before he proposed. We both realize it is fast…"

"You don't have to explain yourself to me." Meg interrupted. "I thought you and Erik should have been together all along. If anyone could get your marriage to that filth ended it would be him." Meg went silent when something dawned on her.

Christine saw the renewed fear in her eyes. "What's wrong Meg?"

"Surely by now Raoul knows and he will take it out on someone. What if Erik is too…?"

Christine could see the tears coming to Meg's eyes and put her hand on her shoulder. "Erik is going to save her."

"How can you be so confident?" Meg whispered.

"He has yet to fail me. He won't fail her." Christine said trying to assure not only Meg but herself as well.

"Have you and Erik discussed any wedding plans?" Meg asked trying to distract herself from her worry.

"Not in much detail. I figure we will sort it all out when we get to America…"

"America?" Meg asked.

"I had time to do a lot of thinking while I was here and realized Raoul's influence could easily reach us in London. I suggested America to Erik and thinks it will be a perfect place to start over." Christine was silent for a moment. "You and your mother are welcome to accompany us."

"I can't imagine how Maman would be against it after what has happened." Meg said trying to keep the excitement she felt at the thought of traveling to America out of her voice. Her mind began to wander to all the new things she might see and do.

"Erik has told me some of what he has heard about America. It sounds like a beautiful place." Christine said. The topic served as the perfect distraction for Meg and Christine as they began to excitedly discuss their future in America.

Erik could see the De Chagny estate in the distance and stopped Cesar. He rode the long way around into the trees surrounding the back of the estate and gazed into the distance. He narrowed his eyes as he saw a man standing guard trying to look inconspicuous. "Did you not learn from the last time?" Erik said to himself as he noticed other men stationed around the mansion ready to spring the trap when ordered.

He dismounted Cesar taking off his cloak and jacket. As silent as a ghost he made his way through the trees. He looked from behind the last one. There was at least thirty feet of cleared land between him and the mansion. He noticed the uniforms the men were wearing. "So M. Vicomte you have coerced the Surete into helping you yet again." He began to calculate how he would get into the mansion unseen. He noticed the servant's entrance and knew he had no choice but to rely on luck.

When he got to the door and found it unlocked it cemented his reasoning that he was walking into a trap. He slipped inside and found the inside dark and abandoned. He walked up the steps without making a sound and found himself in front of the attic door with no resistance. He opened it prepared to fight his way to Madame Giry and avoid arrest.

To his disappointment the room was empty. He looked around and saw traces of blood on the floor. No doubt Meg's or Madame Giry's. He knelt down looking at the rope that had been cut away. He was tempted to fashion himself a few lasso's but decided the sword he carried would do. He left the room and slowly began to search the rest of the mansion. He felt himself becoming frustrated, every room he entered was empty. He approached a pair of sliding panel doors near the front entrance. It was the last room he had to look in and was beginning to wondering if Madame Giry was here at all. He slowly opened one of the doors.

The study was lit by the amber glow of a fire. He noted it was the only room in the entire mansion that was lit and he looked up when he saw a shadow. Erik was not one to be shocked after some of the awful things he had seen and been through in his life but as he looked up he gasped and felt his heart drop into his stomach as tears formed in his eyes. He fell to his knees as he looked at Madame Giry's lifeless body hanging a lasso. He lowered his head, for a moment forgetting where he was. Then he noticed the red rose with a black ribbon tied around it left under her body.

He shook his head trying to pull himself together. This is why the Surete are here. He thought to himself. Raoul has set him up for the murder of Madame Giry. He had thought Raoul would use her as a bargaining chip to trade for Christine. He never thought he would kill her. How could I be so naïve? He thought to himself as an image of Christine's back came to his mind. He looked back up at Madame Giry and took out a dagger ready to cut her down when the silence was broken by a horrified female scream behind him.