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Ascent to Power	By : Hot4Gerry Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 5436 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Warning: Violence. Language.

Revenge is Sweet

It had taken Erik only a couple of weeks to find the men who attacked him. Erik waited and observed them from the shadows. He soon chose the perfect time to catch each man alone then exact what he considered appropriate recompense.
The first was Thomas O'Toole, a young man well on his way to prison if not redirected. Erik had learned he did indeed have a family. A wife and two children. The direction he was going with his life he would be in prison and miss seeing his children grow up. Erik wanted nothing more than to wrap that thin rope around the man's neck and slowly squeeze the life out of him. He might even have given into the urge if he had not caught sight of the man sitting on his front stoop one evening with his wife watching their children play. Had he not seen the care he gave his wife who looked to be with child again and then saw him go into the front yard and play with his children he would have taken that man's life gladly.

Deciding a good scare and threats of dire consequences if he continued on this criminal path would be more beneficial Erik waited to catch the man alone. On his fourth evening watching he got his chance. He slipped up behind the man as he entered the alley and put the Punjab over his head and around his neck. Pulling tight he made sure the young man could not move by knocking him to the ground and placing his booted foot squarely in the man's back.

As the man under his boot squirmed Erik jerked on the rope tightening it further around the neck of the man on the ground. It had been a long time since he had used his Punjab on anyone. It fact the last person had been his hated rival Raoul. The thought of that man had Erik instantly tightening the rope. The man's face turning an unbecoming shade of blue returned Erik to his senses. No need to make this man pay for the misdeeds of another.

"Lay still. Each movement only tightens the rope. Well Thomas, you must be wondering who I am. I am the man you robbed a few weeks ago. Forgive me. How stupid of me. No doubt you have robbed several people since then. I am the one you and your friends pulverized and then watched as Ox continued the beating. Not sure yet who I am? Perhaps you recall a grotesque face? Well it is of no consequence your faithful memory or lack thereof will not serve you in your current situation. It only matters that you listen and heed my words."

"I won't kill you tonight. Count yourself lucky you have a loving wife and children otherwise you would have been dead a couple of nights ago. I had all but snagged you with my Punjab when I saw your children come to greet you and then your wife joined them. You should count your blessings while placing a kiss on each of your children and your wife. I will let you go for tonight but on the understanding that you will no longer victimize anyone again. You will seek employment. I shall be watching and one misstep and no one will be able to save you. Not your wife. Not your children."

Before Erik loosened the rope and let the man go he put a wad of bills in his pocket and a piece of paper with an address and name written down. There were instructions when and where to go to seek employment.

Erik whispered one last chilling warning in the man's ear. "Do not disappoint me. You would not like to see me when I am angry. If you remember my face you can imagine all the demons of hell I can unleash upon you. Do we have an agreement?"

The man nodded vigorously. The sweat of fear was pouring down his face. He knew he was moments from death if he made one wrong move. Erik loosened the rope and allowed the man to roll over on his back. His eyes widened in shock and fear. Erik had decided not to wear his mask so he would have an even greater effect on young Thomas. If the face was not frightening enough the look in the eyes was terrifying. The man hovering over him had the look of a man yearning to commit an act of violence. Pure hate and the need for violence and blood shown out of his glowing eyes. The surrounding lights reflecting feebly in the alley reflected from Erik's eyes making them seem to glow evilly. Thomas was well acquainted with that look. Many men in his part of the world held that same look. The urge to take a life, to release violence on another and cause the maximum amount of pain. The anticipation of having another helpless and begging for mercy under your hands. It was a powerful feeling. A feeling that was as seductive as it was addictive. He knew that look well. It had been mirrored in his own eyes on occasion.

Thomas nodded his head vigorously again with sheer terror reflecting in his eyes. Erik turned the man to his back to one last word of warning then disappeared as if he were but a puff of smoke. The hands gripping the rope had seemed to almost reluctantly release their grip. The rope loosened further and he quickly pulled it over his head and got quickly to his feet. By the time he was standing on his feet and turned to look at his attacker the darkly dressed man had disappeared as if he were only a figment of his imagination. If not for the throbbing in his neck as a reminder he could have convinced himself he had imagined the whole episode. Not one to pray much he did thank God for sparing him this night.

That night Erik sought the comfort of a woman willing to pleasure him below the waist for a few dollars. She was not a whore that worked in a brothel. She was a woman who had been left with two small children to support and an insatiable appetite for fucking. Erik had for the first time been the one to call a halt to the endless fucking. He really did think the woman had sucked his cock dry. It had been a couple of days before he would even go near a woman he wanted to fuck.

The second man Erik sought truly was a despicable man. The bottom of the barrel would be too high a rung on the ladder of humanity for this grotesque poor excuse for a man. Erik was not one to judge another because of poor hygiene or lack of proper clothing if the will to be better was present. If the slovenly manners are the result of laziness he was considerably less tolerant. Michael O'Reilly was a lazy, sadistic and cruel, pig of a man. Erik made sure he was always upwind of the foul smelling man. His bathing seemed to be nonexistent. Michael's unshaven face made a fastidious Erik cringe in disgust. A neatly trimmed beard and mustache were one thing but the scraggly facial hair on Michael's face made Erik's fingers itch to take a razor to the man assuming he could force himself to touch someone so unclean.

Erik observed Michael O'Reilly for a couple of days. He was a man in his early fifties but he looked much older. He was a dirty and unkempt man. The man was a drunkard and a cruel lecher. Drinking from early morning until late evening. In between bouts of non stop drinking he would beat on his wife and teenage daughter. When he found the time or energy to assault and relieve others of their valuables Erik could only hazard a guess that even that avenue to gain funds was not taken often by the overly lazy man.

The first night Erik had witnessed the man beat his wife and daughter Erik had longed to enter that dwelling and kill the man slowly and painfully that first night. The need for caution was the only thing between him and that man's fat neck. If he was to bring death to Michael O'Reilly and save his wife and daughter at the same time Erik had to plan his attack.

The second night Erik waited looking in the front widow while sitting on a limb of a big elm tree in the front yard. Luckily their apartment was on the ground floor in the front of the building. He watched as they ate a meal of cooked cabbage. Erik observed the man belittling his wife for the paltry meal. Even with the windows closed Erik was sure he would have heard that man's loud complaining voice. The meal was poorly cooked, no meat was served, why couldn't she have baked bread? The list of complaints went on during the whole meal. Neither woman said one word. To utter one syllable would invite a fist to connect with tender already bruised flesh.

As soon as the man left the table the two women cleared the table and went to their separate rooms. All was quiet. Michael continued to drink until his bottle was empty. Not finding any more to drink he started toward the room his wife had entered earlier. A moments hesitation and he changed direction. He went to the bathroom to relieve himself. He was in there for quit some time. Upon coming out he went into the bedroom with his wife.

Erik continued to watch for a while almost deciding to leave when he saw the bedroom door open and Michael step out. Erik watched as the man stealthily walked through his home to enter the room that Erik knew to be his daughter's room. Erik had been on his way into the house when a policeman walking his beat curtailed his plans of entering and killing the man that night.

The loud screams from the house only caused a moments pause from the gentleman in the uniform that was supposed to represent protection. Apparently you only rated protection if you had wealth and social status. The poor unfortunate girl behind the walls of this house had neither. Shaking his head the man continued to walk his nightly beat. The screams from this house were not a new occurrence. Almost nightly they were heard. Unless called upon to interfere the police did not interfere in family troubles. Best to ignore it and move along.

Erik shook with rage as he watched the uniformed policeman walk on down the sidewalk away from the screams. It took all his strength of will to keep from following that officer and slowly choking the life from him.

For two bits Erik would pay some bum on the street to initiate that officer of the law into the pleasures of butt fucking. Erik himself preferred women himself and he would be the one doing the fucking, but one could never tell. Perhaps that officer would enjoy having a cock rammed up his ass.

Erik consoled himself with the knowledge that by the next time darkness fell Michael O'Reilly would be a fading nightmare. This man would suffer slowly and painfully. In his last moments he would die with the knowledge that Erik was the one taking his life. Slowly his life would ebb. Slackening the rope would give false hope of release. As soon as hope took root Erik would snatch it away tightening the rope again.

Erik entered the hall of the building and found the door to the O'Reilly's apartment. He lost no time in entering the girl's room. Her father was on top of her doing what no father had the right to do. The girl lay quietly now with her head turned to the wall. Utter hopelessness in every feature of her face.

Michael was grunting and groaning totally engrossed in defiling his daughter. Erik looked away in disgust as the man's bare ass bunched and relaxed with his thrusts. Swallowing down the bile rising Erik made an almost silent approach to the unsuspecting man. He heard not one sound. Not that he would have anyway even if he had not been engrossed in fucking his daughter raw. Erik's shadow on the wall alerted the girl to his presence. He allowed her to see him. He hoped she would not alarm the pig of a man taking such ungodly liberties of his own flesh and blood. Her head whipped in his direction. He placed his finger to his lips hoping she would not be frightened and raise the alarm.

Erik quickly took his rope off his belt and tossed it over the head of his target. One strong jerk and Michael fell to the floor gasping and clutching at his throat with both hands. Erik turned his eyes away momentarily from the half naked man. He lay exposed fully if anyone cared to look. No one did.

His eyes alighted on the young girl. She cowered in the corner as far from him as she could get. She clutched the blankets to her tightly. Fortunately for her modesty, such as it was, her father had not taken the time to remove her gown. His interest had been in quick satisfaction. Strangely she did not look at Erik in fear. Her eyes were widened more in wonder than fear.

"If I let you leave you must not alert anyone to my presence. Do not worry about your father he will not harm you or your mother again. Go into your mother's room and stay there until I come for you. Do you understand?"

Erik tried to instill kindness and reassurance in his voice. That was not an easy task considering he had his boot holding her father down on the floor and his lasso was wrapped tightly around his neck. He must have been somewhat successful as the girl quickly left the room. As she passed her father she spit at him. Her hatred was evident. He heard no outcries for help from the hall as she shut the door.

"Ah, now for you my friend. You fucking piece of shit. Turn around slowly and face me. I want you to see who is taking your life before your eyes dim and you see nothing."

Michael turned and a look of horror crossed his features. This was no man before him. This was a demon sent from hell. The creature’s eyes burned with a fire seeming to see deep into his blackened soul.

"Why demon are ye' here? You'll no' ha' me to take back to hell."

"Demon? I assure you sir I am no demon. I am only a man. It is not I who will send you to hell. Your own lecherous and dishonest deeds condemn you. Look closely and perhaps your memory will return. I was a victim of your treachery. Oh, pardon me. You must have so many it will be hard to single me out. Well, perhaps not. My face should guarantee you remember me."

Erik brought his face closer to Michael's. He had purposely left his mask off so the man would be frightened by his demonic looks. He jerked on the rope tightening it around the rotund man's throat. Instantly the possibility of his impending death entered the man's eyes. His eyes started to bulge with the pressure of blood flow stopped and gathering in veins about to burst from the pressure. His face turned shades of red then blue. A kaleidoscope of color spreading over his face as the flow of air to his lungs ceased. Erik did not wish him to die too quickly so he loosened the rope slightly.

"Please," Michael choked out pathetically. The rope was tightened again. No more would pass his lips. No air entered his lungs. The burning in his chest demanded air be brought into his lungs. Panic consumed him. He thrashed about under Erik's heavy booted foot.

Erik stomped his boot on the man's now flacid manhood. Michael would have doubled over into a ball if Erik would have let him.

"Ah , you miserable fuck, you beg and plead for mercy. How many times have you heard pleas pass the lips of your victims? You think I am a demon sir, but it is not I who sneak in and fuck your daughter. You should have gotten down on your knees every day and thanked God for blessing you with a wife and child. Instead you use them to inflate your ego and feed your sick need for power over another person. Well the time for retribution is at hand. If you do have any religious convictions I would seek God's forgiveness now because tonight is the last night you draw breath."

Not wishing for his torment to be over too quickly Erik released him from the restricting rope. He placed it back on his belt. Grabbing a handful of the man's hair he hit the man with all the force he could bring into his lowering fist. His gloved hand hitting flesh made a pleasing sound to Erik's ears. His blood quickened, flowing with excitement upon seeing the first blood trickle from Michael's mouth.

The sight of the man's life giving blood brought about a frenzy in Erik. One he had not felt the likes of in such a long time. Not since his days in Persia had he felt this blinding rage and need for blood to be spilled. Not even Raoul had brought him to this dangerous level of near insanity. That rage had been brought about by jealousy and anger at Christine's betrayal and rejection. This was an altogether different rage. It was blinding and intense. A rage he could not relinquish until he felt the life drain from the body under his hands. Growing tired and afraid of damaging his precious musician's hands Erik removed the Punjab from his belt. With sure and deft movements he replaced the rope around the man's neck and began to tighten it slowly. The eyes looking into his begged for mercy but the mercy he sought was not forthcoming. Little by little his life slipped slowly away. His eyes glazed and lost their light. Even after the body grew limp Erik kept his stranglehold for a few seconds. The rage engulfing him slowly leaving him and his senses returning to normal Erik removed the rope and calmly hooked it back on his belt.

Erik stood over the body looking down searching his conscience for a flicker of guilt but found none. This murder would stain his hands but he felt no guilt and if God deemed him a sinner for that and could not forgive then so be it. At least the two innocent women would be safe and only God knew how many in the future would be spared. He would lose not one second of sleep over ending this worthless man's life. His ghost would not haunt Erik's dreams.

Needing to check on the women he left the room. He knocked softly before entering the room. He did not want to frighten the two women with sudden movement. What he saw when he opened the door made him quite ill and wished the man dead in the next room still had life so he could administer more pain.

The young girl was on the bed holding her mother who was tied to the bed on her stomach. The young girl held a rag which had more than likely been tied around her mother's mouth to silence her screams. Various objects were placed on the bed. Their use was clearly evidenced by the blood on them and the blood coming from the woman's backside. Erik removed his cloak and placed over the woman's naked torso. She deserved that bit of dignity.

"My name is Erik. I only wish to help you and your mother. We must leave here for your safety and mine. Will you trust me?"

"Did you kill him? Did you kill the bastard? If you wish to help that is the only help I ask of you. Please tell me he's dead," she commanded harshly as her arms tightened around her mother even more securely.

"Yes he is dead. I must get the both of you out of here. If you can trust me pack what you will need for tonight and the morning and come with me. Do not take so much that it will be noticed if things are missing. I will take you to a place where you will be safe."

Not saying a word the young girl got up and ran to Erik encircling his waist with her too thin arms. She gripped him tightly.

"Thank you. Thank you. God sent you as our savior. I knew if I prayed hard enough you would come. Jenny said you threatened her father and ever since he has been a changed man. She saw you that night. She was outside playing with her kitten when she was supposed to be fast asleep. When she saw you attack her father she hid behind the pile of trash in the alley. The night you threatened to kill her father changed everything for her and her family. I knew if you were an avenging angel you would help me if I asked and prayed hard enough. I prayed so hard you would come and you did." Her slender arms tightened and she buried her face in his chest.

Erik had never been embraced in such a way before. No one had ever consider him worthy of human contact as a friend. Nadir and Darius were his friends but contact between them was limited to a handshake or a pat on the back. Embracing another was much more satisfying. Susan and his other women held him in lust. All but Susan requested compensation for the nights he spent with them. She showed no fear or repulsion of his face. Not one person had ever told him thank you. Not that he had ever done much to deserve that sentiment but receiving it now felt strange and wondrous at the same time. Someone deemed him worthy of a warm embrace. No threats issued to obtain the embrace through fear, just the pure need to hold another close in gratitude. Quickly allowing himself one firm squeeze of his arms around her then he set her from him.

"Hurry now. Here take this knife and cut your mother's bonds. I’ll take care of what needs to be done in the other room. I must make it look like a random act of violence and kidnapping. If you leave with me tonight you can never come back."

"Why would we want to come back? To leave this nightmare life has been my dream for so long. That bastard took my childhood, took something that should have been kept for the one who would one day share my life. My mother has known only pain and suffering since the day she joined her life with that man's. I will not call him father. He may have been the one to plant the seed in my mother's belly but he was not a father. So no, I will not miss this place or harbor any sentimental memories. The sooner they are forgotten the better for me and my mother."

The young woman's distress and anger at her father removed any guilt Erik had been feeling for his lack of remorse in taking another's life. When he saw the last light of life drain from Michael's body and felt no remorse, for a split second he wondered if he should feel guilt even if his death was just. Shaking off his maudlin thoughts he left the room, leaving the two women to prepare for their departure.

Erik left the girl and her mother to return to the body. Picking up the feet he dragged the man back into the living room. He went to the window and pulled down the cord holding the drapes back. Wrapping the cord around the man's neck he also ran the cord down and tied the man's hands and feet. It would look as if the man had slowly died while struggling with his restraints.

Going outside he broke the window. The glass on the floor inside would give proof to the intruder breaking the window and entering the apartment through this opening. Making sure he had sufficient mud on his shoes he reached up and held onto the window ledge. He scraped his boots along the wall and pulled himself up and entered through the window making sure mud was left on the window sill and on the carpet by the window.

He entered the girls room and carelessly knocked into furniture moving it just enough to suggest a struggle. He swept his hand across the flat surfaces causing the items resting there to crash to the floor. Satisfied with the disarray in the room he continued on to the mother's room.

Entering the mother's room he asked the girl if she could manage to take her mother into the alley and wait for him. After handing him back his knife they left. The girl supporting her mother as they laboriously made their way down the hall toward the back door.

He would join them in a few minutes. After both women were gone Erik removed the restraints the woman had been tied with. He pocketed the ropes. Finding a sack he collected all the items used in the torture of the older woman. Scanning the room to see if any other evidence of her husbands misdeeds toward his wife could be detected. He wanted no suspicions to lead to the woman killing her own husband. Seeing none he proceeded to make the room look as if a struggle had taken place in this room also. The blood would give evidence of the woman's struggle against her attacker. He left the room and walked down the hallway dislodging pictures and overturning chairs and small tables in his wake.

Closing the door Erik then raised his booted foot and kicked the door in. Better to have them searching for more than one culprit. It would look as if someone entered the front and overpowered the father as someone came in the back and subdued the mother and daughter. He would dispose of the sack further away from the apartment building. Perhaps a detour along the river was in order.

Meeting the women in the alley he asked if he could look in the bags to make sure she had not taken any items that would be missed. Only seeing a few pieces of underclothing, two simple dresses and a couple pairs of thick pairs of stockings with many holes Erik could find nothing that would raise suspicions by being removed from the apartment.

"Come we should get you out of the chilly night air and into a warm bed. We can not have you coming down with a fever. Please be assured that from today on no one will harm you or your daughter the way you were in the past."

Noticing the mother's fearful gaze and shivering form Erik spoke to her using his soft hypnotic voice he had used to lure Christine to the passage at the opera and then on to his home.

"Madame I mean you no harm. I have a carriage waiting a couple of blocks down the street. Do you think you can walk or do you need my assistance? It would be no hardship for me to carry you. Whatever you wish it will be my pleasure to make it so."

"Mr. Erik? My mother won't talk to you. She rarely speaks to anyone. The man back there has beaten the spirit right out of her. One day I'm sure he would have gone too far and she would have ended up dead. I would have ended up with an unwanted seed growing in my belly if it hasn't happened already. If she could she would thank you. I thank you for both of us. As much as she hates being touched I know she couldn't make more than a few steps. It took all her remaining strength just to come here."

"Madame I am going to take a step toward you. Then put my arms under you. I will be as gentle as I can be. You will need to put your arms around me. Can you do that?"

The frail woman put her arms around his neck. She breathed in deeply smelling his fresh clean fragrance. Never had she smelled anything so wonderful. Her husband Michael rarely bathed and smelled of sweat and drink most of the time. Occasionally she had even smelled the scent of another woman on him. Not the pleasant smell of perfume but the odor of the aftermath of sex. To have him come to her smelling of another woman had sickened her but she had learned the lesson never to refuse Michael or complain. She turned a blind eye and thought of other things as he took her over and over. When the torture during sex started she began to fear for her life but also to beckon death closer. Her daughter was the only thing keeping her grounded to this earth. When her husband began to go to their daughter in lust Julia began to fight back but he was much stronger and threatened to kill her and Marianne if she spoke to anyone or tried to leave. He even threatened to have her committed to an asylum leaving her daughter at his mercy. Julia knew how easy it was for a woman to disappear into one of those dreadful institutions and never been seen again. What would happen to her daughter then? At least in the same place as her daughter she had the hope of one day freeing both of them. Just days ago she had thought to end both of their lives to free them. Now this God sent savior came and rescued them.

Erik was a little surprised the woman made not one sign of being disturbed by his presence or touch. Truthfully Erik was surprised she had gotten close enough to touch him let alone place her arms around his neck. Her body quaked in fear as he lifted her up. Softly he asked her, “Are you ready Madame?”

"Julia, my name is Julia. My daughter's name is Marianne."

Using what little strength the woman had to voice those two sentences she fainted in Erik's arms. Not since Christine had he had an unconscious woman in his arms. Briefly it occurred to him that he did not feel the searing pain his in chest when he thought of his Angel. Later he would contemplate the reason why. For now he had two women depending on him.

Realizing that he may have to intervene and remove the women from the home Erik had rented a small apartment in a better part of town. He had stocked the home with all the things they would need from linens to food in the pantry. He would contact the small neighborhood grocery store and have fresh fruits and vegetables delivered. The milkman would deliver a quart of milk, butter and cheese daily after he left a note with the landlady informing her the women were now in residence. Erik could not believe how lucky he had been to find the apartment house owned by the gregarious Mrs. Hancock. An English woman transplanted to America when she married her now dead husband thirty years ago.

The coach was where he had instructed his new driver to wait. Nadir was correct. It was easier if one had their own coach and driver at their beck and call. This night he gave special thanks for Nadir's nagging ways.

The ride to the new apartment took only a few minutes. Erik bade them to wait while he opened the door and lit a few of the gaslights on the wall. He used the key that opened the front door leading into the hall. Being careful not to make a sound he climbed the stairs to the second floor. There was only one door leading into the apartment. At the back there was an iron fire escape. The ladder could be raised. There were only two windows in front. They were sufficiently high enough from the ground to cause no concern of unwanted intruders. The two bedrooms had windows but only one was accessible by the fire escape.

Lighting only a few of the gas lamps he deemed it safe to bring the women up.

He returned to the coach and again picked the frail woman called Julia up in his strong arms. Marianne followed behind. Erik strode directly to the bedroom. He waited for Marianne to pull the heavy covers back before placing his burden upon the freshly washed sheets. He covered her and motioned for Marianne to leave the room before him. He turned down the lighting so that only a faint glow shadowed the room then closed the door softly.

"Here is the key. There is sufficient food for a couple of days. Milk, butter and eggs will be delivered daily. If you need more or less just leave a note with the milk bottles outside your door. There is money in the jar on the shelf over the stove. It should be enough for your immediate needs. There is clothing in your room and your mother's. If anything needs altering just let Mrs. Hancock know. She is aware of your troubles. Not everything. Just enough to insure her sympathy and assistance. On the kitchen table is the name and address of someone who will give you and your mother employment when you both have recovered sufficiently to return to your normal routine. Until then take things slowly and regain your strength. You may tell Mrs. Hancock as much as you deem suitable. If you have need of anything just tell Mrs. Hancock. She has an address where she can contact me. If there is nothing further you need tonight I will say my good-byes and wish you well."

Wishing to thank him but not knowing how, other than with mere words, she offered him something she thought never to offer anyone but her husband. She stepped up to him quickly and wrapped her arms around him and pushed her body tightly against his.

"I have nothing to give other than myself. I want to thank you for all your generosity. You saved not only me but my mother as well. I can never give you enough to repay the debt I owe."

She pressed her young lips firmly to his. Timidly her tongue probed against Erik's lips then shyly retreated back into her mouth. Her inexperience was evident in the tightly closed lips and the trembling of her body. Tentatively she opened her mouth and pressed her tongue to his lips once more. Her hands ran over his face and down his chest to the bulge in the front of his trousers. That betraying part of his anatomy surged forward into that tightly grasping hand. For a moment Erik returned that innocent kiss and continued to press his lower body into her hand as she stroked him through the clothe of his trousers. He felt the familiar swell and pressure needing a physical release. For one brief moment he thought to sink into her innocence and drown in that child's freely given kiss. It would be heaven to bury himself in her sweetness and for but a few moments forget the horrible misdeed he had committed only an hour before. To let her warm young wetness surround his throbbing shaft would be heaven for a few moments in this night of ugliness. He would not contribute to the ugliness by using her for his pleasure. He was not her father. He had respect and reverence for women. Coming to his senses he pulled away and gently removed her arm from his neck and very reluctantly removed her hand away from his now overly stimulated manhood. Erik set her away from him and out of temptation's reach. It was harder to push her away than it should have been. His darker tendencies still fought to control him.

As Erik watched her Marianne dropped her head to her chest in shame. Tears falling down her cheeks leaving dirty tracks to show the path of each tear. Each salty drip of moisture was like a needle pricking his conscience. How could he even for one moment have thought to violate this innocent child with his unclean hands and body?

Proud of himself for winning over his darker emotions he also knew they were tethered by a slender thread. At any moment they could rush to the surface and take over making him forget his good intentions in his lust for bodily pleasures. The Phantom had not been put completely to death he was merely in hiding under a thin veneer of respectability. Most of the time Erik found he could control his old urges but sometimes the need for releasing that strong feeling to dominate and control all around him surged to the surface. Recently he had been using those urges to benefit his business. The Phantom had little remorse for weaker natured beings. He had no qualms of turning out families from businesses he bought only to close and dismantle to sell off a piece at a time at huge profit to smaller businesses only to turn around and start a competing business driving the others into bankruptcy.

Gently he placed his fingers under her chin and raised her downcast face up to his. "I did not offer my assistance with the thought of a reward at the end. Your safety and appreciation are the only reward I need. Do not ever think of yourself as a commodity to trade for favors. There is no price that can be placed on ones dignity and self-worth. Set a high value on your favors. One that cannot be paid. Nothing that came before was your fault. You hold no blame. Live from this night on as if you were a newly born person. Leave your past behind and make your future what you wish it to be." He kissed her gently on her forehead then left before his less altruistic darker side could change his mind.

All he wanted now was his bed and to sleep for a day until this night could be put firmly behind him. He would deal with his charges through Mrs. Hancock. There was no need for any personal contact. He also knew it could be dangerous for Marianne if she were to continue to see them. He had turned her away once but he did not honestly know if he could do it again. Better to remove the temptation than to test his will power. The Phantom had none. If he wanted something, he would use anything in his devious repertoire to obtain it. By fair means or fowl. This was one battle Erik was determined to win.
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Ascent to Power