'Warning, violence.'

   Erik followed Christiana's fearful eyes to Mrs. Dame's imposing figure. Well, she was only imposing to Christiana; Erik merely found her annoying.

     He could not allow Mrs. Dame to win, and damn it if he let a good performance be ruined by such a troublesome wench. Because this was the only option he felt he had, he dared to do something he never planned, nor thought he would ever do.

      He lifted an arm to Christiana's delicate, mostly bare shoulders, ignoring the way she shuddered under it, though she barely felt it's weight, and brought his other hand to her face. "Turn your face away," he spoke the lyrics and made her look at him.

   Being caressed by a practical stranger made Christiana turn to him more than anything. For Erik, sparks shot up his body. "Sing."

   Christiana blanched. "I can't hit the E6!" She softly exclaimed, staring into his hypnotic gold eyes.

   "Sing!" He said louder. The audience anticipated her singing the cadenza now. "Sing for me!"

    Christiana was faced with a new problem. Public embarrassment. Should she give herself to the man whose arms held her close and made her feel safe? Or did she remain practical and embrace her limits? Reject the fantastical or welcome it?

    "He's there, the Phantom of the Opera." She couldn't do it, she told herself. Deep down, the risk was all she ever wanted, the enchantment, crossing the tightrope.

    She can, Erik thought.

    "Sing my Angel of Music!"

     Mrs. Dame was far more than angry, as her daughter continued to sing.

    "Beware the Phantom of the Opera!"

   "Sing for me," Erik's voice was hushed.

   Christiana began the cadenza.

      "Sing!"

   She hit the E6.

      The Phantom and Christine bowed to their audience and walked off the "stage," immediately after the final song ended. Christiana shook from head to foot and Erik was smiling. He hadn't genuinely smiled in years.

   Christiana rushed them into the office. She couldn't be out in the open with everyone else. She was too vulnerable.

   "That was so incredible! I didn't know I could sing like that, and you were amazing! You had me entranced!" She clapped her hands and threw her arms around Erik, who was so shocked he, he was not able to return the embrace.

    She pulled back, blushing. He didn't want to hug her, apparently. But nothing could dampen her mood.

    Erik cleared his throat. "Yes. Er... Christiana your voice is heavenly. Of all the people I have ever sang with, you by far, are the mosy talented, kindest... loveliest...." Erik trailed off.

   "Thank you. But you had me entranced, and I was shocked - you could be an Opera singer."

   I am, in a way, he thought. But he only said "Thank you."

     The two of them spent a few more minutes chatting in the office before they were interrupted. Mr. Cathy came to tell them that they were a success. He begged Erik to come back for the next party.

   Erik declined, keeping his promise to himself.

   "Okay. Oh and... I do hate to put an end to your evening but... Christiana, your mother asked me to tell you she needs you to come home. She's upset about something."

   "Alright, thank you Mr. Cathy," said Christiana.

   He nodded and waved goodbye to Erik.

   "I know it's still early in the evening but -"

   "Christiana, I don't want to get you in trouble, so I would love to take you home. You've blessed me tonightm given me a beautiful gift."

   "That's good?" She had no idea how to reply to that. But she thought it was beautiful.

    She placed her hand in the crook of Erik's arm and he escorted her out.

     
                              🌹

       The ride to Christiana's house was spent in a pleasant silence. Both Christiana and Erik were so happy with how their night went, they were speechless. Erik was captivated by the woman next to him, and her voice kept singing to him in his head. Christiana could barely create coherent thoughts.

    When they pulled up to her house, Christiana decided to be brave.

   "Would you like to..."

    "No." His voice rang out harsh. She looked a him, shocked. "I mean, I want nothing more than to see you again. But I don't come to town very often," he quickly decided to change the subject.

   "Christiana, before you go," he dared to take her hand in his, once again ignoring how she jumped under his touch. "You arr beautiful. Your soul is kind, your voice us angelic, and you are, as a person, beautiful."

    "T-thank you," she stuttered.

     "Goodnight, Erik." Summoning her remaining courage, she shifted forward and kissed his unmasked cheek. Then she blushed and ran from the dark car into her house.

    Erik stayed parked outside for several more minutes, frozen, shocked. His angel had kissed his skin.

    Sighing, Erik pulled out of the street and started his journey home. He could not die content. He had spent an evening with his Angel of Beauty. She had kissed him. He had fallen in love with her. And he would never degrade her again with his presence.

    Meanwhile, Christiana entered a dark house. There were no light's on, and everything was oddly silent.

   "Mother?" Christiana called, tentatively.

    "In the living room, dear."

   Christiana walked over to that room. Her mother was sitting on the sofa, holding something shiny on her lap.

   Christiana sat across from her.

   "How was your evening, Christiana?"

   "It was pleasant Mother, thank you."

   "Mine was not pleasant. I risked a lot by allowing you to go with that man. And I lost a lot. I lost you."

   Christiana was confused. "What?" She stood and started to come towards her mother, but Mrs. Dame held up a hand.

    "I never should have let you go. I lost you Christiana. You sang in public. You bruised the town's ears with your horrid, cursed voice. Only demons are talented with the arts, and you let everyone know what you are. And that man... oh! I lost my Christiana!"

   "What? I'm right here Mother, you didn't lose me."

    "Ah yes, you're talking back now. I lost you."

   "What?"

    "Tell me Christiana, how did it feel when he touched you?" Christiana gasped at what her mother was implying.

   "Mother! I would never - he would nevet be so -"

   "And that was just at the book store. Just when I arrived there. What did you do before? Go at it, as the children say, in the back of his car? My little girl... having intercourse with a man -"

  "Mother, how dare you!" Christiana shouted at Mrs. Dame for the first time in her life. "I would never do such a thing, and Erik Stanton would never take advantage of any girl like that, especially not me. We just met!"

   "How dare you, Christiana. How could you break my heart. Did he ask you to marry him afterwards, at least?"

   "Nothing happened! And I would not marry someone right after meeting them!"

   "Do not shout at me, you insolent, ungrateful girl! I know how men work, and rich men like him only want one thing. He's not even your age. How you disgust me."

    "Between the two of us, Mother, it is you who is the disgusting one." Christiana slowly began to see all the wrong that had ever been done to her. Her father's death had killed a piece of them both, but it was her mother who was incapable of healing. It was she who had softly gone mad. Christiana still loved her, but she would no longer listen to her. And what sealed her fate that night, was that her mother knew this.

  "I shall forgive you and the Lord shall forgive you if you stay awake and pray the remainder of the night. We can burn sage, throw that dress away, bless you with holy water. Come Christiana, we can cleanse you yet."

   "I'm going to bed Mother."

    Christiana turned and began to walk into the hall. She never heard her mother get up. She never saw the knife in her hand.

     And her mother did not hear the agonized, morbid screams coming from a voice that less than an hour ago, had sounded divine.

        Erik paced his study. He had felt such inspiration that night. Whenever he thought of her, he felt inspiration. He thought he woyld be able to finish his opera that night. So many songs and acts were running around his head. From he moment he saw her, he felt the music starting a fire in his veins. But when he went to write it all down, he didn't know where to start. The notes, while beautiful and breathtaking, were jumbled.

   Erik screamed and threw his book across the room. He was burning up, needing to get the damned notes out, completely unable to. The fact that they were there was an improvement. But damn it all he needed Christiana. But no matter what, he refused to insert himself into her life. He was a monster. He would hurt her.

   He glanced out the window and saw snow beginning to fall. In less than an hours it would be November 1st. The snow was an inch or two thick on the ground. Maybe it would cool him. He decided he needed a walk.

This chapter would make Erik ashamed. I promise the writing will improve, and thanks for reading so far! Please vote and comment and don't hate me! Or hate me and keep reading. Also, hint about the next chapter.

👵➡👺➕🔪

   Alex. 😻