Chapter 18

                                    

                                          
"Erik." He turned to see the Daroga leaning over in his saddle. The man looked up at him. "Blood."
                          
Erik wheeled his horse around and went to where Vahid pointed. There were drops of dried blood on the cobblestone. They looked over and followed them, realizing someone had left a trail. They looked at each other, smiling despite themselves.
                          
"Lunette." They said together. Erik wheeled his horse and followed the trail. It was a good thing, too. He had been about to go the other way. Andre no doubt would have backtracked. He just hoped they could find the right trail. He was worried over the pain Lunette was in but couldn't help smiling over what she'd done. She was terrified no doubt but she had the sense to do something about it.
                          
It took them about an hour at the pace they pushed. They weren't far from the hideout now. Erik worried over the fact that the blood trail was still going. Lunette would have bled for a long time... He stopped his horse and slipped from the saddle. Vahid followed suit, confused.
                          
"I'll walk from here. Stay with the horses." Vahid nodded and grabbed the reins of both horses. Erik started walking through the lightening streets of Paris. Dawn was coming and only time would tell what the daylight would reveal.
                          
...............
                          
"What do we do about the gendarmes?"
                          
"Nothing. They won't find us. As far as the Comte." Andre chuckled darkly. "I warned him to stay out of my way. I think we have time to pay his wife a visit before he gets home. They're probably still out looking for us. And if he's home... well... we'll take care of him. Get her."
                          
Lunette gripped the dagger as someone's steps came towards the door. She recognized Marcel's grumble just before he opened the door. She lunged, plunging the dagger in his leg. He cried out and she pulled it out, leaping past him. She sprinted for the door and turned, slashing whoever was behind her. It was Andre. She was about to run when she saw something dangling from his belt. She pushed him and stabbed him. He reached to protect himself and took the blade in the arm. Grabbing the silk, she grinned.
                          
"Just like old times, eh Rumple?"Pushing the door open, she ran into Erik.
                          
"You're alive?!" She shook her head, deciding to think over that later. "Move! Go!" She pushed him and he grabbed her hand, running. She handed him the lasso and tucked her knife away as he pulled her around a corner. Vahid was already on his horse, coming to them. Erik pushed her forward and stopped to be sure no one was behind them. Lunette pulled herself onto his horse. "I stabbed them... Again. They'll be a moment. Come on!"
                          
He ran to the horse and pulled himself up behind her. Taking the reins, he wheeled the horse around. Lunette looked around, trying to figure out where they were. "The Chagnys. We have to get to their house. Andre wants to kill Raoul when he's done with me. If we can get Raoul on our side, we'll have the gendarmes as well."
                          
"The Comte is not my concern" Erik growled.
                          
She turned to him. "Then you'll have yourself to blame when the world finds out Christine was raped and killed and her son smothered to death. Her husband stabbed and their staff shot. And you could have saved them. Now turn the horse!"
                          
He clenched his jaw and turned the horse to go another way. "Fine." 
                          
Vahid pulled himself up alongside them and looked sidelong at Lunette. "Are you alright?"
                          
"Fine."
                          
"Your arm?"
                          
"Fine. Just need a new bandage. Do you know where it is, Erik?"
                          
"Yes." He turned another corner and she realized he was probably taking a shortcut. They reached the Chagny house in a few minutes.
                          
Vahid went to wake the family while Erik pulled Lunette down and checked her. She opened her mouth to tell him she was fine. He pulled her close and kissed her.