Erik lowered himself into his chair and gazed into the flickering candles on his work desk. His small encounter with Christine's cousin had admittedly given him the same little thrill he had acquired the first few times he had made contact with Christine. Not in the infatuated sense, but more in the sense that he held a bit of power. The girl, Camille, had no clue that he was the man Madame Giry had just spoken of. At least, until Christine had overreacted.

Erik's jaw clenched as he thought about how childish the soprano had been. Admittedly, he understood her being a bit cautious, considering the lengths he had gone to to make her a star. But dragging Camille out of the theater had just been ridiculous.

So now he was going to have to find a way to get Camille to trust him. Not only to trust him, but to keep their contact a secret. Christine would surely have told her not to go anywhere near him by that point. He would have to be clever. Perhaps a note would be a good way to start. Pulling the quill from his ink well, Erik smoothed a piece of parchment out from in front of him and began to write.

Dearest Camille,

I'm sure your frantic cousin has already warned you of me. I've found that she's become quite wary of me since our last encounter. Some people don't take kindly to the other side of unrequited love. I've found that to be true of your cousin as well.

Though I surely cannot force you to keep this letter a secret from Christine, I highly recommend it. It is no secret that I happen to own this particular theater, which means that if I want a performer promoted or denoted, it gets done. How do you think your lovely relative rose into fame so quickly?

My reason for writing this letter is simple; I would like to help you in your career at the Opera Populaire. I witnessed your short session with Madame Giry and am well aware that you are a gifted dancer. Should you decide to accept this assistance, I shall be in touch shortly.

Yours,

Erik

Erik decided to sign his own name instead of the usual 'opera ghost' signature. Camille would be far more likely accept his proposition if she weren't intimidated to begin with. The teenage girl seemed timid, even more so than her relative, and Erik knew that convincing her to become acquainted with him would be far more challenging than it had been with Christine.

"Raoul, she isn't safe here." Christine's voice trembled as she rested her head against her husband's shoulder. The two of them sat in the living room of their home, resting in the couch nearest the crackling fireplace. Christine had worked to hide her ongoing anxiety from the moment she and Camille had returned to the estate, waiting until their young guest had retired to her room for the night to tell Raoul of what had occurred.

"Camille is quite surely safe with us. You know I've had guards employed since we moved in here, and for all we know, what happened today was just somebody playing a silly, cruel joke." Raoul replied soothingly. The man instinctively glanced towards the large window to his right, eyeing the guard that was visible on the edge of the property.

"But what if it wasn't? What if he's planning to harm her to get even with us? What if he takes her because he couldn't have me?" Christine felt her stomach twist at the thought. Her husband's arm tightened around her and she struggled to find any sort of comfort or reassurance in his words. She knew he would go to any length to protect them, but that hadn't stopped the Phantom the last time.

"Would you like me to stay at the theater when you're there from now on? Would that help? Just say the word Christine."

"I just want Camille to be safe. I'd never forgive myself if something were to happen to her. Not after Aunt Lydia trusted us with her care." Christine replied solemnly. Raoul nodded, squinting into the fire before them.

"Then you and I will keep her safe. No matter what."

Camille peered out her window into the dark Paris streets. Rain pattered against the glass panes in front of her to a steady rhythm. What had happened today had undoubtedly unnerved her. Seeing Christine, who she formerly viewed as blankly kind, smiling, and innocent so serious and terrified had entirely changed her opinion of the young woman. Perhaps Christine really had experienced more turmoil than she thought.

And then there had been her seemingly harmless encounter with the masked man. Camille really wouldn't have thought anything more of the meeting had Christine not reacted so violently. Sure, the man's story hadn't necessarily added up, considering the direction he had come from, but it still wouldn't have bothered her for more than a few minutes. The girl was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock on her door.

"Camille? May I come in?" Raoul poked his head into the room and waited for Camille's nod before entering the rest of the way through the doorway. His young cousin-in-law watched expectantly as he took a seat with her next to the window.

"I hope that today's events haven't upset you in any way. I promise that you are quite safe here." The man spoke gently. Camille turned back out towards the window and nodded.

"I know. I'm not worried about that. Christine seems to be more concerned than I am." The teenager assured him quietly. Raoul couldn't help but nod in agreement at her reply and sigh.

"Christine was quite shaken up after the Phantom affair. She still is. And she's quite worried about you. So I'm just going to ask you to promise to tell me should you see any sign of suspicious activity. Can you promise me that?" Raoul asked sincerely. Camille nodded again, glancing at him to show her sincerity.

"Alright then. Thank you. I also have another favor to ask. This one is more for Christine."

"Go on." Camille allowed, waiting for Raoul to go on.

"Christine is just a bit paranoid still, despite the fact we have guards stationed around the property. Would you mind if she stayed in your room with you tonight? I think that she would feel better if she could keep an eye on you." The man propositioned carefully.

"Of course. We are cousins after all. I should spend time with her if she needs it." Camille replied. Raoul smiled, relieved, and stood up from his seat on the cushioned windowsill.

"I shall send her in shortly. Thank you, Camille." He nodded politely before exiting the room.