Erik knew something was wrong. He had known from the tone in Christine's voice that something had her worried. He had known from the way the house looked when he arrived home that something was not right. His main concern was getting to Christine. His main priority was her safety.

He reached her door to find it locked. He frowned and simply pushed it open. He continued to hold his breath until he was at the side of her bed, pulling back the covers. Christine laid curled into a ball, breathing slowly.

Erik locked the door once more before crawling into bed with her. It was when he got close enough to smell her that he knew what was wrong. He knew what plagued Christine's thoughts and troubled her soul. The Sultana was here.

He wrapped his arms protectively around Christine. He would not let that monster have her. He would not let her ruin Christine's love of life. He would protect his Christine from that monster. He would give his life if need be. Deep down inside, Erik knew that a life without Christine was not a life worth living.

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The Sultana awoke to a strange presence in her room. She smiled and sat up. Erik always did have a unique talent for entrances. "Erik, darling, what do you want?"

"More importantly, what do you want?" Erik was hidden in the shadows, but his voice was next to her ear asking the question in a whisper.

"Why, I have simply come to see you." The Sultana looked around, trying to find Erik. His games always did amuse her, even when he was a small child.

"Your lies are most unflattering." Erik's voice sounded so far away as if though it was coming from behind the door.

"You are upset with me." The Sultana acted pouty, hoping Erik would come out and see things her way.

"She has never done a single thing to you." Erik's voice sounded hurt like a little child.

"So you don't mind that I came to pay you a visit?" The Sultana was curious now.

"I don't know." Erik's voice sounded so close, and then he set down on the bed, letting out a sigh. "You were always welcome before."

"Why do you choose to stay here instead of coming home, where you belong, Erik?" The Sultana reached out and touched Erik's arm.

"Why do you insist on terrifying and hitting Christine?"

"Christine has to know who's in charge. I am simply helping her along."

"I want you to stop. I have things to do, but you are welcome to stay as long as you're not scaring Christine. This is her home, and I refuse to let you or anyone else hurt her in it."

"Understandable, but Erik try not to kill my men off while we're here."


Her comment was met with a dark chuckle and Erik vanishing into thin air. His different escape routes were always a mystery. Even in the palace that he had built for her, there were tons of passages and secret rooms that she didn't know about.

She wondered about how to get Christine and Erik back home. Apparently, Christine was the key to everything. She was the puppet master when it came to Erik's strings. The threat in Erik's voice had been subtle but evident. Christine was to come to no harm or be frightened.

She was at a dead end. It would take longer than she wanted to spend here to befriend Christine and get her to willingly come back without a little help of persuasion.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/N: Sorry it is so short. I promise I will try to update again sometime this week. Please review.