The Usual Disclaimer and copyrights. I'm sorry for the long wait but i finally found the document in my mess of documents. Also its exam and assignment season. Enjoy!

Angel voices and demon eyes

The sky was smoky black bruised with a heavy purple shadows. The overture was playing, singers were ready to begin. Christine frantically applied concealer make up over the slap mark on her face. Her moment on stage was minutes door opened and Raoul stepped into the room. All the make-up and costume helpers quickly left, not wanting to disturb the couple.

"People will be expecting to see 'the happy couple' so you better put on a good show" he threatened, the smile on his face quickly disappearing.

"I'll keep that in mind" Christine looked sadly at her husband. How did they come to this? That night, where they both sailed off in that gondola, they were so happy and in love as they naively thought. She chose him and yet it has come down to this. Deep down in her heart, there were feelings for someone else and Raoul knew. Since that moment he watched her kiss the phantom, he had always known. There is no chance they can divorce, not with the public watching their every move. They had tried to reason and overcome this adversity until Raoul started to drink. That's when all the problems began.

"You'd better or you won't be here for very long" he said having one last threat to his wife before slamming the door shut.

"And neither will you..." Christine muttered under her breath. Madame Giry and Meg appeared later at the door, it was time.

Erik watched her quietly from above the stage. Her voice travelled across the newly built opera, bringing it to life. Her melodious and angelic voice of hers, captivating everyone in the audience Erik smiled at the heavenly sound, his student had come so far, he was proud of her. She seemed happy, and for her happiness Erik would leave her alone even if it kills him. Still with all the events happening, he couldn't just leave her unguarded, he hovered over her like a guardian angel just incase, she needed him. Just in case He watched entranced her as she held the last note to its full value and the audience erupted into an applause. Erik automatically joined them, clapping enthusiastically. Christine bowed elegantly and smile sweetly at the audience before going backstage preparing for her next act. Erik continued smiling in his trance-like state, it was a relief to finally hear real music after all this time.

"Demon!" someone screamed. "The cursed Devil is upon us!" The rough scream brought Erik back to reality.

"Damn it!" Erik thought. He let himself be carried away by the sound of Christine's voice and the music, he had completely forgot that he was visible to everyone.

He could hear the foot-steps and the frightened gasps of air. The sounds were however coming towards him. What? It's not me this time?" Erik thought strangely. "Who else could it be?" Erik moved to hide from the man's sight but too late, he had seen the opera ghost and opened his mouth to yell for help. His scream for help stopped mid way as he was hit hard across his head. The stagehand slumped helplessly to the ground, unconsciousness.

Erik turned to see what had hit the man. His eyes met the gaze unbalanced gaze of Azrael. The left side of his face was disfigured with scars as if someone carved it with a knife No wonder, the man screamed "Demon". His eyes were that of a demons; merciless, deadly, insane and soulless

"I knew someone was spying on me" the young man said as if nothing had happened. "Who are you and what do you want?"

Erik eyed the unconscious man on the ground. He hadn't moved at all, and Erik was fearing the worst.

"He's not dead, he'll wake up in a couple hours time" Azrael said as if reading Erik's mind. "Now answer my question"

"That is exactly what I want to ask you," Erik answered after finally finding his voice. "What do you want with Christine?"

"I'm pretty sure you know my name and other various information after spying on me from the mirror and regarding Christine, some things are best when left untold. Don't worry, she married and I have no interest in her but business. Why do you care about her anyways?"

"Because I ..." Erik trailed off. He couldn't just say it, not in front of Azrael. Luckily for him, Azrael didn't press on.

"You know her husband?" Azrael asked.

"Yes I know... Raoul" Erik replied in a small voice.

"You're the first to call him Raoul instead of Viscount de whatever his last name is...interesting" Azrael said in his annoyingly smug voice. "Where is he?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"Because the sooner I find him, the faster I can get out of here." Azrael replied. "This opera has way too many people for my liking. People treat me as an outsider. You know? I'll be out of here before you know it"

Reluctantly, Erik's eyes scanned the audience and spotted Raoul who had perched himself in Box 5. Erik glared at the figure, how many times did he have to make it clear that Box 5 was to be left empty? That idiot was never going stop hating him. He pointed at the arrogant figure in the Box. "That's him"

"Ah, so he's the guy I saw yesterday. He's ...interesting"

Erik could not look away from those eyes. After examining them, he could see something else behind Azrael's eyes. Hidden behind the surface of hatred and malice, beyond the burning fire and ominous ink was a look of pain and loneliness that once reflected in Erik's own eyes and maybe is still there.

The act on stage finally ended and curtains closed for the interval. Azrael hurriedly put on his eye-patch as more people appeared backstage.

"You better go before someone finds out you're here" Azrael warned. "Nice chatting to you Opera Ghost, but I've got to run. Places to be and people to avoid."

With that, Azrael dashed off, merging with the shadows of the curtains. Finally released from Azrael's gaze, Erik went his own way, tempted to leave a rose for Christine.

Apologies if this chapter is a bit strange. Please review!