OMG! I found Kat!! Her name is Willa Holland ans\d she is perfect, I put her picture on the side.

If there was a preview for this chapter, it would be one of those ones where it shows all of the characters faces in a dramatic fashion with overly dramatic music. Too bad I'm no good with technology...

I do not own POTO!!

Kat's POV

        Tonight was the night. The night that would determine the outcome of our plans.

        I stood in front of the large vanity mirror in my closet, trying to lace up a corset. My fingers were shaking and my heart was beating in an very unnatural manor. 

        This was it. Six fates bound together by one monster. Tonight will either go really well or up in smoke, and we all knew who would pull the trigger.

        I found my gown and slipped it on, then started on a light coat of makeup. By the time I was finished, my eyes were a deep shade of blue and my hair was pinned up in an elegant, yet sloppy bun. I tried to curl the few strands of hair I left out of the pins with my finger, wanting them to frame my face.

        Once I was ready, I headed down stairs to meet Damien and Ezra. Mother had insisted on taking a separate carriage, she said she wanted a moment to herself. As if we ever bothered her anyhow.

        "You look gorgeous." Ezra smiled as he grabbed my hand and spun me in a circle.

        "Thank you kind sir." I returned his smile and curtsied.

        Damien cleared his throat and straightened his waistcoat. "We all look fabulous. Can we go now?"

        "Yes, your majesty." Ezra bowed and held the front door open for him.

        Damien rolled his eyes and I giggled. We got into our carriage and headed towards The Opera Populaire. 

        Once our ride reached the building, we hit a major traffic jam. There were hundreds of people flocking around the doors and steps. Carriages were lined up all the way down the next two blocks.

        "Okay, screw this. I'm walking." I mumbled after ten minutes of waiting in line.

        I opened the carriage door and hopped out onto the street. The air was cold and rigid against my bare arms.

        "That was so unlady-like." Ezra said as he joined me on the cobblestone.

        "Yeah, well in my time, it's perfectly normal." I retorted and headed towards the large oak doors.

        Ezra followed me and Damien caught up just before we reached the entrance.

        Damien pulled us off to the side just before we reached the doorman. "Now remember, we must be on our guard. Who knows what she's planning."

        Ezra and I nodded then headed through the doors. The sound of fireworks exploding caused each of us to jump. We were all on edge tonight.

        We burst through the doors to find a spectacular sight. Confetti and glitter fell from the heavens as people spun around the floor in beautiful attire. They all danced and sang to an uplifting melody.

        Masquerade!

        Paper faces on parade . . .

        Masquerade!

        Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

        We watched in awe as they raced around the room, twirling and spinning to no end.

        Masquerade!

        Every face a different shade . . .

        Masquerade!

        Look around there's another mask behind you!

        Ezra lead me off to the side of the room. "It's amazing, isn't it?"

        "Absolutely wonderful." I laughed.

        "Cheers!" Damien came up behind us holding two glasses of wine.

        He handed one to me and kept the other for himself.

        Ezra frowned. "Where's mine?"

        "You sir, do not need anymore alcohol. I've had to refill the liqueur cabinet three time this month!" Damien took a sip of his drink, as if to taunt Ezra.

        I looked back and forth at the two. "Here, you can have mine. I don't drink."

        I was about to hand Ezra my glass when an all too familiar face caught my attention. It was her.

        "On second thought," I retracted my arm and Ezra's face fell, "I think I may need this."

        Damien followed my gaze and chuckled. "She's driven us all to drinking? Damn."

        He brought the glass to his lips and took a small sip. I tried to do the same for the sake of my reputation, but ended up chugging the whole glass instead.

        "I think you may want to slow down." Ezra said with concern as I grabbed another glass from a passing waiter.

        "I'm going to go find my sister, and possibly get completely wasted along the way. Good day, gentlemen." My words were a little slurred as I spoke.

        I turned away from them and headed out to the dance floor. People dashed by me, their faces blurring together. I had just finished my second glass when a stranger asked me to dance.

        He was a tall and handsome looking man, even though his face was covered with a black mask. His tux was also black and rather plain looking.

        "Why not?" I said with a small hiccup.

        He took my hand and whisked me out onto the floor. Everything blurred into one giant array of colors as we spun. I looked up into my partners eyes, they looked very familiar.

        "Er-Erik?" I said in sudden realization.

        "You got me." He smiled. "I'm surprised it took you so long."

        "Well I am a little tipsy." I giggled.

        He chuckled. "I've noticed."

        We continued to dance around as the music picked up. Just when I though my feet would give out, Erik spun me right into Christine. She had been standing off to the side of the floor with Raoul.

        "Hi!" I laughed when we came to a stop.

        "Kat!" Christine threw her arms around me. "I've been so worried about you."

        "I'm fine." I said with a small smile.

        Raoul stared at Erik for a moment, then he scoffed and looked away. "Must you follow her everywhere?"

        "Sorry sir, I didn't expect your intellect to get past my disguise." Erik said with a devious grin.

        The Vitcomte's face grew red with anger, I couldn't help but laugh.

        Erik turned to Christine. "I need to prepare for my entrance, would give her the ring please."

        He then gave me a small kiss on the cheek and disappeared.

        "What was he talking about?" I asked Christine.

        "You'll see." She unlatched the chain that was strung around her neck, on it was small ring. "Here, put this on, it's part of the act."

        I took the chain and latched it around my own neck. The ring glistened brightly in the light of the room. It was then that I realized this was her engagement ring.

        "Okay, what's the act?" I asked.

        "That." She pointed towards the stair case and the music suddenly went loud and threatening.

        Erik strolled down the stairs dressed in red. His mask was now a skull and in his hand was a sword. He was singing something to Carlotta as he ruffled the feathers on her head. Then he moved to Piangi, poking him in the stomach.

        I walked to the foot of the stairs so I could hear what was being said. Everyone in the room had froze and was watching The Phantom.

        He had thrown the leather folder entitled Don Juan to the floor. After he finished insulting the managers, he turned to me.

        As for our star, Miss Katerina Daae...

        No doubt she'll do her best

        It's true, her voice is good

        She knows, though

        Should she wish to excel

        She has much still to learn

        If pride will let her return to me, her teacher

        Her teacher...

        By the time he was finished, he had sheathed his sword and was standing just inches from me. I looked into his eyes, curious as to what would happen next. I glanced behind me to see Christine was trying her best to looked shocked and that Raoul had vanished.

        When I turned back to Erik, his eyes had fallen to the necklace and a wave of anger flooded his features.

        Your chains are still mine,

        "You belong to me!" His words came out in an angry roar.

        I knew it was all an act, but his words still manged to frighten me. He spun around on his heel and with a loud clap and a cloud of smoke, he was gone.

        I blinked, trying to sober myself so I could fully absorb what had just happened. Someone's hand found my arm. I turned around thinking it was Christine, but instead found my mother.

        "Who was that?" She asked, her voice was sharp.

        "The Phantom!" Andre rushed to my side before I speak. "He wants you! You must leave!"

        "No! She must stay and perform!" Firmin hollered as he ran towards us.

        Mother held up a hand to silence them. "Who is this Phantom and what does he want with my daughter?"

        "He is a menace Madame. A murderer!" Andre yelped.

        "Madame, if your daughter does not stay and perform...God only knows what he will do!" Firmin chimed in.

        "Is this true?" Mother looked at me.

        "I-I don't know." I stuttered, not sure what to say.

        Raoul suddenly appeared next to me. "I'm sorry Madame, but what they say is true. If she does not obey him, he may kill."

        "Who are you." She asked rudely.

        "Raoul De Changy, I am the current patron of this opera." He stuck his hand out.

        Mother looked at his hand and turned away. "If what you say is true, then I suppose we do not have much of a choice. If she must stay, then so be it."

        She turned around and headed towards the door. Just before she left she looked back us. "But if anything happens to her, so help me God, I will end each of you."

        "Could someone please tell me what in the hell just happened?" Damien asked. He had found his way over without any one of us noticing.

        "We are putting on his opera." Firmin said simply before walking away with Andre at his heels.

        Damien looked at me. "I knew he was going to force his play on them, but I didn't think it would be in such a...flashy manor."

        "This is going be one hell of performance." I shook my head and headed towards my room.

        I stumbled through the halls until I came across the dorms. My bedroom door creaked open to reveal my long lost bed. I collapsed on the mattress with a sigh and snuggled into my pillow. I missed this room so much.

        "So she's letting you stay?"

        I jumped up at the voice.

        "I didn't mean to frighten you." Erik stepped out of the shadows.

        "Oh, it's you." I said and flopped back down. "Yeah she's letting me, but it's not a good thing. We think she's planning something. She knows where the lair is, she followed me."

        "I know." He said and sat on the edge of the bed.

        "God, I've never been so terrified in all my life." I curled up into a ball.

        Erik tried to comfort me by rubbing my arm gently. "Don't worry, we're always one step ahead."

        "And two steps behind." I muttered.

        We weren't going to win this one without a proper fight, and every war has its casualties.

        My eyelids were growing heavy and I couldn'y fight sleep any longer.

        "Get some rest, you start rehearsals first thing tomorrow." Erik whispered then disappeared into the shadow once more.

        I somehow managed to crawl out of bed and change into a nightgown, but as soon as I was under my covers, I was dead to the world.