The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 36

Erik's POV:

I marveled a bit at the old woman that was standing next to me and Rosella, as we all hid in the woods in the distance. The boy had flinched into Rosella at the first light explosion that had gone off from within the wagon, sending it up into flames. Rosella though barely moved a muscle even as her the grip she had on one of my arms around her remained as rigid as stone. 

We were all watching her wagon go up in flames now, even as a few of the gypsies attempted to put the fire out. But I knew it was completely useless as much alcohol and oil Daroga said Florica had poured onto the floor of the wagon after having gotten everything she wanted from it. Her three small bags were now being carried by myself and Daroga as Rosella held onto Florica's hand in her own. The boy now clinging to Florica's skirt like a child would to their mother. 

"Come everyone, while they are all distracted." (D)

"Yes, he is right. Come Sage, together we will both get to start a new life with my little flower and her dark prince." (F)

I paused at her choice of words yet again, wondering who in their right mind would ever see me as any type of prince dark or not. That thought was soon lost as I heard the angry shouts of two men who's voices I felt were burned into memory after tonight. My hand flew to my lasso at my side as I saw them rushing towards the wagon, but it wasn't a look of sadness on their as some of the other gypsies had. No, theirs was a look of outrage.

"The old crone took the beast out with her!" (Malik)

I was already two steps away from the others before I felt someone grab my arm, and I twisted until they were in my tight hold as I glared down at the person. I was ready to break every bone in my grasp if they did not release me. But my hold on their arms immediately softened as I met the blue silver and red eyes shining up at me with tears forming. She looked away from me even as the bastards shouted once more and I saw her attention was on Sage who was cringing in Florica's arms as she held him and whispered in his ear.

Rosella looked back at me, a cringe of her own into closer into my chest, as their words rose up over the sound of a pop from the flames. I watched her take a deep breath before she again looked at me and spoke to me in a tone barely above a whisper.

"Please Erik, not tonight. Please, I can't.....I can't lose you. Not in this way, please. Show them the mercy we were all denied, for me?" (R)

I wanted to deny her request and kill the two that were responsible for so much pain that she had endured in her life. But then I felt her soft warm hand on my bare cheek and like a cat longing for more attention I couldn't help but lean into it and lean down closer to her. She placed a gentle kiss on my lips before she began to pull me away from the camp and back towards where Daroga and Madame Giry were readying our escape. I saw Daroga come back just then to escort Florica and Sage before I let go of the lasso hanging at my side and allowed Rosella to pull me away and to safety instead.

We traveled back to the opera house in silence, though I could tell that as we got further and further away Rosella relaxed once more. Though she wasn't completely relaxed even when we were once more in front of the opera house, that much I could tell as she stayed clutching my hand in hers. She climbed out of the carriage, finally letting go of my hand as she stepped down and turned to help Sage out. I could see the wonder shine in the boy's eyes as he stared up at the building, before I turned to help Florica out. She met me with a piercing stare that though it wasn't unkind in any way made me feel as if she knew more about me than I knew.

"You'll both be staying with me in my room until we can make more permanent arrangements in a day or two after news of the fire at the camp has calmed down." (R)

"Until then, I recommend making yourselves scarce inside and avoid the outside at all costs at least until the camp moves on." (D)

Florica nodded in agreement before we made out way inside, the boy's eyes never seeming to stay on anything he looked out for longer that few seconds before something else caught his eye. We were safely inside with the doors behind us and shut, before I could see Rosella visibly relax and I realized that she felt just as safe here as I did. We bid Madame Giry goodnight before quickly making our way to Rosella's room, where she soon rushed inside and lit a few of the candles around the room as we all walked inside. It was then that Sage finally spoke up, his voice sounding just as shocked as his expression was only moments ago.

"You live here?" (Sage)

I couldn't help but smile a bit at the child's wonder, as Rosella answered him that she did. Darago walked back into the room with a small rolling cot for the child that he placed against he wall before bowing goodnight to everyone and leaving the room. I knew that Rose would have many things to talk about with the older woman and I was in no way going to prevent her to one of the only people that had ever shown my Rose kindness and love. My mind was drifting back to a song I had been writing about my little Rose with thorns when my attention was snapped back to the current moment by Sage.

"What about you Monsieur Erik?" (Sage)

"What about me?" (E)

I watched as he seemed to draw away from me a bit as I answered him inmy usual tone. It wasn't until Rosella's hand gently squeezed my own that Irealized that to a child that tone would seem callous and in a way cruel. Ilooked back at the child and saw him look to Rosella as she nodded with aslight smile on her face, a kind of understanding passing between the two ofthem without a word being spoken and it made me wonder about the boy. I watchedas he looked back at me with a look of courage on his young face as he spoke tome once more.

"Where do you live Monsieur Erik?" (S)

"I live in the opera house as well, my room is just a bit darker and furtherdown than Rosella's. Perhaps one day you will see it Master Sage." (Erik)

His blue eyes met my own and for a moment I felt as if I recognized him fromsomewhere but it could not be. I saw him smile and nod and then yawn just as Floricapulled him over to the small bed and laid him down on it, singing a softlullaby that I had heard Rosella humming a few times before when she was downin my home relaxing or through the walls as she worked repairing a costume withMadame Madeline. Rosella seemed frozen in her spot as she listened to thelullaby before she turned towards me a small smile on her face as Florica'ssong came to an end just as the boy's breathing evened out, signaling that hewas asleep.

"Thank you Erik. I will see you tomorrow morning?" (Rose)

"Of course my Rose. Sweet dreams my angel." (Erik)

"They always will be with you in my thoughts." (R)

I felt a surge of love fill my heart as she said that before leaning closer andplacing a soft kiss on my lips and then my bare cheek. I met her smile with oneof my own before I gave Florica a little bow and left the room through thedoor, planning on taking another path to the lair. I did not want to giveFlorica reason to be wary of staying in the room with Rosella, nor did I wanther to be wary of Rosella staying there herself. I wanted her to feel safe inthere, and feel that Rosella was safe as well. It would be the only way I couldensure that I could continue to be within a moment's reach of my precious Rose.