True to his word, Erik led Angelique back up to the world for some midnight shopping. He no longer had many of the arrangements he had had previously, before he had been discovered, but there were some shops he was still able to gain access to. The shop owners only thought it a little eccentric when he had requested a key their stores so that he may enter and shop privately at night. Of course, they were delighted to find that Erik paid trice the listed prices for their trouble, which for the shopkeepers was really no trouble at all. It never ceased to amaze Erik how polite people could suddenly become when presented a large sum of money. Erik stood and watched silently allowing Angelique to pick out their supplies. She was wise in her selection and thrifty, though Erik had told her that she need not worry where money was concerned. On the way back to the opera house, Erik stopped to buy a newspaper from a late night vendor, careful to keep his face shadowed. The young boy seemed indifferent though as he quickly pocketed the coins before settling down to resume his nap.
That night as Angelique put the groceries where she pleased, Erik unfolded the paper and began scanning the tiny print. Finally he found what he was looking for on the second page.
Authorities have yet to discover the whereabouts of the female murderess that has come to be known as la meurtière masquée. It is said she lured her victim with promised indecincies before brutally stabbing him to death.This masked creature is considered to be extremely dangerous. If seen, authorities cauthion against a direct confrontation, but are offering a reward to for any information leading to her capture.
Erik peered over the edge of the paper at Angelique organizing the pantries. She didn't seem like the type to be lurng anyone anywhere with 'promised indecincies,' but the place that was named as the sikte of the murder fell into what was considered a red light district. He had heard stories of women who in their desperation had turned to prostatution in order to earn a little money with which to feed themselves. Perhaps she had lured him into a dark alley hopeing to rob him , he had resisted and she had been forece to stab in unknowingly killing him. Or perhaps she really did just murder him in cold blood. He wondered abnout it , but remained silent. She knew nothing o fhis past, he had no right to ask her of hers. He had always tried to remain the gentlenan. And he would do so now. Turning his back to angelique, he quickly folded the paer neatly and tossed it into the fire.
"Erik, dinner should be ready in about half and hour, providing nothing goes wrong. I expect you're hungry?" Angelique said wielding a ladle.
"Famished." Erik said flatly, taking his place in his chair by the fire.
"Excellent."
Dinner was quite pleasing to Erik's surprise. It seemed that Angelique was a remarkably good cook when she had what she needed to work with. She served him, though he had not asked her to, refilling his glass whenever it didn't look full. After dinner she cleared the table removing several dishes at one time quickly and efficiently as though it was second nature. Erik took note of this but said nothing. For the first time he realized how frustrating it must have been for Christine. While he had made it a point to learn everything he could about her, he had revealed little or nothing about himself. Perhaps if he had opened up a little, made himself more of a man than a specter to her, maybe she could have found it in her heart to love him. Erik looked up to see that Angelique had also selected book, the book of fairy tales, and had sat on the floor a little ways from him to examine the illustrations. She seemed to be trying to piece together from just the pictures.
"Would you like me to read it to you?" Erik asked cautiously.
A smile spread across her face that he had not seen since she had come. "Would you?" she asked handing him the book. She moved closer as Erik began to read, arranging her dress around her. Angelique stared into the flames envisioning a girl with 'hair as dark as ebony and skin as white as snow.'