Thank you for the reviews. Again, I am glad you are enjoying. I think I'm finally debugging my mind as well, as this is flowing a whole lot easier than the first couple of chapters. The change in each of their demeanors was difficult.

Also, I was reading through the first couple chapters and I found several mistakes. I need a beta. Anyone interested?

Enjoy!

"Anything you can, Julia. You understand."

With that cryptic statement and a palm full of coins, armed only with a name, the woman turned away from the shadowy figure and slipped back into the world of the living.

Christine stifled a sigh, and turned as well. The depths of her catacomb were beckoning. Music danced within her mind, a slow torment if it were not expressed. At times like these her thinking became fuzzy and unclear, and the tension within her thoughts was more of a nuisance than a pleasure. She would have to spend time at the piano, riding herself of the notes that seemed to have a life of their own within her mind. As much as she hated to do so, especially at a time such as this, she knew that she must be up to par to study her opponent, and plan her course of action.

Unknown to Erik, his precious angel had seen every moment spent with the lovely young woman on the street. A vicious jealousy had welled within her. In an attempt to spurn him, to punish him for his actions – she had not visited him when he finally returned to his room. Despite his endearing pleas, she had turned coldly away from him and instead sought out her only trusted confidante. A woman of means, Julia could acquire anything Christine needed and had proven this over the years. Information was no different, and tonight the two women parted on a different mission. Julia, to uncover the past of one Anabell Lafeyer, and Christine to rid her mind of the bitter song embedded within it. In the light of day, everything would be made clear again.

Erik lay alone in his bed that night, staring at the ceiling. He did not realize how dependant he had become upon the voice of his angel. His own thoughts felt chaotic, even more so perhaps after the reintroduction of Anabell into them. How he needed his angel to calm him, to confide in, to soothe him with her majestic voice!

No matter what his entreaties, she did not answer and now he was left alone with his own confusion and shame.

Once he had settled in his room, the thoughts of Anabell came rushing back. She had appeared so lovely in the lamplight, her features matured from that of a child to a woman. In retrospect, he could recall how enticing her supple curves felt against his body when she had hugged him, and the sweet scent of her hair against his cheek. It had been over a year since he had been with a familiar woman, and longer still since he had held one so close. Against the will of his reasoning, his body responded to thoughts of her now as he lay alone in his bed.

Feeling traitorous towards his wife, he rolled to his side and groaned. Would there never be peace for him?

In the absence of his angel, Erik was left to his own devices in finding sleep. Thoughts of Emma only caused the chasm in his heart to drip with the blood of mourning, and remembering Anabell as he had seen her tonight caused his body to stir in a way that made him feel heavy with guilt. The only respite he could find was in recalling those childish years he and Anabell had spent together.

"Erik, Erik," a singsong voice called, followed by a high pitched giggle. Darkness surrounded Erik, save for a single line of light peeking in through the crack in the doorway. His forehead was pressed against the cool wood and the smell of the sea instantly engulfed his senses. He was back at home, in the little cottage by the sea.

"Oh cousin!" the pretty little girl child called out, and Erik could see the scrapes on her knees as she bent to peek beneath the bed. She had scabbed them quite well on a dare from him to climb a tree. She had slipped from a high branch and then become terrified to attempt her descent. Erik had stood at the bottom of the tree, looking up at her as she wept with blood running down her little legs and staining her dress. Though he was scarcely eleven that day, he had sworn he would never let anything hurt her like that again. In an attempt to qualm her fears, he had climbed into the tree himself and cradled her within his arms, bringing her back to the safety of the ground. She had smiled at him through teary eyes, and kissed his cheek. Her nurse called upon her then, and seeing the state she was in, Erik overheard the sound tongue lashing she received all the way home. The little girl, holding the hand of her nurse, had looked back over her shoulder and offered Erik again the sweetest smile; as if she knew the promise he had made to himself and was thanking him for it.

Erik did not dwell on those things this day; instead he focused upon keeping his breathing still and even. Once the girl had exhausted herself of looking for him, she sat down upon the edge of the bed and kicked her feet. Her lower lip trembled, and Erik could tell she was about to cry. He shuffled intentionally, giving her a clue to his hiding spot. Her eyes had brightened and she stood again, focused in the general direction of the closet.

"A-nn-a.." He called to her, the sound barely audible. With a squeal of triumph the younger child dashed toward the door he knelt behind and jerked it open. Erik had jumped out at her with a growl, and she screamed in delight as she turned to escape him. He chased after her, and their games continued in earnest.

The dream changed shape, and the two children were now huddled beside of one another on the rug in front of the fire. A large and lazy hound rested between them, and they both idly stroked one of his large ears. Their mother's sat in rocking chairs nearby, humming softly and sewing.

The air of anticipation filled the room.

"Papa will be here soon," Annabell boasted, and Erik simply smiled at her. His mother and Anna's mother had been best friends throughout their childhood, as close as sisters. His papa and Anna's papa had also known each other well, and so it was simply perfect when they had each married, respectively. Although Erik was at least three years older than Anna, he looked upon her much like a sister and they even teasingly called one another 'cousins'. Such was their relationship at this age.

As if on cue to his daughter's prompting, Anna's father entered the room. It was Christmas Eve, and as much was evident by the snow he kicked off of his boots. Erik's father had always read the story of the Christ child upon every Christmas Eve, and this would be the first year since his death that they had celebrated. The children eagerly hoped that Anna's father would fulfill the tradition, and so he did.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register."

Erik snuggled against the dog, stroking its fur. He realized that the tresses within his fingertips were much too long to belong to the pooch, and he glanced up to see that Annabell had fallen asleep with her dainty head resting upon its shoulders. He idly stroked the pretty curls, watching her child-like face in her slumber.

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."

His father had died, leaving him and his mother alone and poor. He still felt the betrayal of his absence deeply, and as he watched his precious friend sleep, he again considered her fate. So long as he lived, the pre-teen swore to himself, she would be safe. And happy..

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…. Erik. Erik!"

The words blurred and changed, and Erik realized that they were entirely wrong in the context. His mind reluctantly released the image and returned to consciousness, only to find Michal looming above him. He grinned as Erik squinted up at him.

"Wake up!" He yelled much too loudly, his stale voice causing Erik to make a face and shove at his friend.

"Yes, yes. I'm coming.." he murmured in a voice husky with sleep.

"The diva is asking for you, Erik!" Michal seemed shocked and delighted at the news.

Erik sat up, rubbing at his face. What diva? For a moment, the events of the prior night all seemed a dream as well.

"Mmm?" He murmured, simply.

"The visiting diva! Have you seen her? Of course you have, you dog. You must have rushed off early last night to woo the little songbird. She is calling for you by name!"

Reality finally found its place within his mind and Erik choked out a surprised, "Anna?"

Michal laughed again, nearly bouncing about the room in all of the excitement.

"Yes! Now come, you mustn't keep a lady waiting." With that Michal rushed out the door again, leaving a wake of confusion in his path.

Erik had told Anna he would call upon her, why would she seek him out? Especially when he had already explained their differences in station. It would only tarnish her reputation. Perhaps it was important? Maybe something was wrong!

Erik sprang from the bed quickly and prepared for his day. Whatever it held, he knew Anna would be in it once more. That gave him, for the first time in years, a true rush of excitement and joy.

Completely unaware of the obvious delight upon his features, Erik rushed off, oblivious to the wrath he was calling upon himself from one he once called angel.