AN: I'm assuming you guys liked the last chapter, but I wouldn't know for sure because I didn't get any more reviews. I like to know how I'm doing. :)

Chapter 3

Meg gulped, hearing clearly the not very concealed threat behind Erik's words. No matter how curious she was, she was going to have to gain his trust before being permitted to glance around his room. She nodded quickly, trying to keep the fear out of her eyes and at the same time trying to smile.

Erik raised an eyebrow for what seemed to be the fifteen millionth time today, clearly seeing that she wasn't very successful at smiling. He quickly changed the subject however, and once more his silvery-green gaze darted away from her. Why doesn't he want to look at me?

"So, since you're going to be stuck down here a while, I'm going to tell you right now that I might be playing my organ at night."

Meg's interest was immediately piqued, and she wondered what kind of songs the dark Angel of Music played. She could sing a little bit, but she was no Christine. She was jerked out of her thoughts by a silky something rubbing itself against her leg. She looked down, and to her surprise, she saw a gray cat. A gray cat with piercing silver eyes. The cat was purring hysterically, and Meg looked up to see Erik looking at the gray cat in confusion. Oh no. What if this isn't his cat? What if it attacks me or something?!

"I guess you just met Ayesha," Erik muttered, looking thoroughly confused.

Why is he confused to see his own cat? But Meg didn't say the words out loud. Instead, she asked him, "Um, is this your cat?"

Erik's gaze darted back to her eyes, and she thought she caught a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came. "Of course," he answered mockingly. Meg fought to not glare at him. There was no need to make fun of her! "Ayesha just doesn't usually welcome strangers. Actually, she doesn't usually welcome anybody."

Meg looked down at the cat again, to find that she had curled up on Meg's foot and was purring loudly. Strange, she thought to herself. She looked up to Erik to ask him a question but there was no Phantom to meet her gaze. Confused, she let her eyes wander around the room, wondering how in the world he had just vanished like that. Why would he vanish like that? Meg, you are being silly, she chided herself silently. There's no way any man, not even the Phantom of the Opera can just dissolve into thin air. Even while she tried to convince herself, she knew that there was no other explanation for where Erik had gone. It's not like someone can walk into a different room in the second that Meg looked down at Ayesha then back up where Erik should have been.

Meg warily knelt down, and Ayesha immediately jumped up, yowling in protest before climbing into Meg's lap and thrusting her face against Meg's cheek. The cat's fur was so silky!

Ayesha settled down into Meg's lap, and a minute later Meg heard a soft sound coming from the gray cat. Why, she was snoring! Meg hadn't even known that cats snored. Of course, she was much more of a dog person, but she wasn't about to tell Ayesha that. Who knew what the cat would do. Probably claw my eyes out, she thought dryly. Oh well. Meg stroked Ayesha's back absentmindedly, wondering what she was expected to do now.

Erik's voice suddenly boomed into the room. "As I stated before, your room is over there. Entertain yourself, but DO NOT touch my music or organ. And if I ever catch you in my room, you will wish you had never even heard of the Phantom of the Opera. Do you understand?"

Meg was really tired of hearing nothing but threats. "Yes your highness," she muttered sarcastically, not meaning at all for Erik to overhear her. But with his keen hearing, he had of course heard every word. He was suddenly before her, his tall form requiring submission and the air of authority around him intimidating. "What did you just say Mademoiselle?" His voice was cold, without a hint of anything in it but malice. Meg gulped. Obviously she shouldn't ever be sarcastic around this Phantom of the Opera. "Nothing, Monsieur," she whispered hastily, instinctively shrinking back from his presence.

Erik nodded, and with a sweep of his cloak he disappeared into some shadow or another.

AN: How was it? I'd really like to know what you guys think, my Phriends. Also I need a Beta for this story, so if anyone is willing to do this, please PM me. :) Thanks. Don't forget to review, please!