As Jane had predicted, Khan moved along the edges of society, somehow gaining entrance to every event that Katherine and Erik attended. He didn't approach either one, just watched. Occasionally, he had the nerve to salute them with whatever glance was in his hand at the time.

If it affected Erik at all, he didn't show it. He was quickly becoming the most sought after man in New York City. Aspiring architects and designers sought his opinion on their designs. He was free to go to the opera house without having to hide in the shadows. Maeve and Isabella finally met their instructor in person, much to Madame Giry's disapproval.

The end of March was approaching quickly. Katherine was both apprehensive for the arrival of Christine Daae, and thrilled at the chance to have her father with her once again. The evening of her last evening out arrived. Even the cleverest of Erik's design could not hide her coming baby, and it was time for her to bow out of society for the rest of her pregnancy.

Michaela stood on the edge of the room. For once, she had no interest in having fun. Instead, she was on the lookout for Ahmir Khan. Yes, their plan was working. But it had also come to a state of check. Neither side was capable, or was unwilling, to make a move. Each uncertain as to what the other's intentions were.

And Michaela did not like being in check.

Because she was watching, she saw Katherine become pale on the dance floor and stumbled. Erik caught her and then lead her to the closest seat. She wasn't surprised when the host joined them and then hurried away, presumably to call for the Ombra carriage. Jane was on hand to assist Katherine to walk out.

“You're not going to your friend?”

Pleased that she hadn't flinched, Michaela faced Khan, who was at her side with a drink in his hand. “Fussing will only draw attention to her,” she answered, pleased that he had come to her. Now was her opportunity to force a move, or learn something. “I'm surprised you would stoop to speak to a child such as myself, sir.”

“Your friend has deep loyalty to her husband,” Khan commented, not looking at her. “I respect that.”

“They love each other,” Michaela felt obliged to point out. “But what could a man like you, who hunts people down for a living, know about love?”

Her words made the man flinch. One point for her. “And yet, he was obsessed with a ballet dancer, not that long ago. I doubt his love for her is that strong,” he responded, his tone cool.

Angrily, Michaela clenched her hands into fists but willed herself not to say a word that would give him the information he was clearly trying to get from her. One point for him. “I think we're speaking about two different men, Mr. Khan,” she told him. “Why can you not just tell whoever sent you here that there has been a mistake? Leave Katherine and Erik in peace.”

“Even if I were to leave, they are still coming,” Khan warned. “They would see him dead.”

“Stop with the pronoun game and just tell me who is coming!”

A few people glanced over at Michaela's outburst. Khan leaned closer and said, “Philippe de Chagny. Raoul de Chagny and his wife. And John Arden.”

Gasping, Michaela jerked away from him, her eyes going wide with horror. She knew what Arden had done. “Arden?” she repeated. Khan nodded, looking very serious. “Oh, no.”

“You know something of him?”

“I know that he would have killed Katherine,” Michaela responded, her mind racing. Khan's eyes darkened. He should have chosen his employer more wisely. “He would have forced her to marry him, would have locked in an insane asylum alongside her father, and then left her there to die alone. All so that he could have her money.”

“Surely there were wealthier women available.”

Michaela shrugged. “But none with a half brother just as eager to have what did not belong to him,” she said bitterly. “This time he will kill her.”

“Then, perhaps you should convince her to take the boy and run.”

With those words, Khan slipped away, leaving Michaela to consider his words. Obviously he meant for her to just save Katherine from the de Chagnys and Arden, but Michaela would not leave anyone to their mercy.

She lifted her chin. The game was up. Katherine and Erik had to leave New York.

~*~

“You have to run.”

Sitting beside Katherine, Crutchie looked up as Michaela and Jane entered the room. Calmly, Katherine closed the book she'd been teaching Crutchie to read. “Crutchie, why don't you find Pip and get Cook to give you a snack?” the mistress of the house suggested.

“Yes, ma'am,” Crutchie said, struggling to his feet. He leaned heavily on his crutch as he limped to the door. Both of the visitors gave him bright smiles that made him blush. The door closed behind him. But instead of doing as he was told, Crutchie leaned against the wood and pressed his ear against the surface.

“Katherine, I'm serious this time. Forget our plans. Forget our tricks. Just run.”

Crutchie frowned at Michaea's plea. He had been in the ombra house for over two months now and was just beginning to think of it as home. He'd never expected to have a home again. Not after his family had abandoned him and the orphanage kicked him out. No one wanted a useless kid with a twisted left foot. But the Ombras had.

It had been much the same with Pip, or so he was told. Who would want an undersized orphan with questionable origins? Katherine and Erik had adopted him into their family, though, and had seemed they were willing to do the same with Crutchie.

Pip had explained what was going on, and had vowed that he wasn't going to let some stranger destroy them. Crutchie had said nothing at the time but agreed more each day he was at Rose Lodge. No one was going to mess with them. Not without facing their wrath.

“Michaela, why are you so afraid?” Katherine was asking. “I know I've brought this on us by having Christine Daae invited here, but there will be no chance of Raoul seeing Erik.”

“Katherine, its not your fault.” Jane, ever the calm one.

“I'm afraid for you. For Erik,” Michaela spoke up. “Its not de Chagny, even though two of them are coming. Its Arden.”

There was silence. Crutchie's frown went deeper. He didn't recognize the name, but filed it away to ask Pip later. “Oh, god,” Katherine said. “No.”

“You see? You have to take Pip and Erik and Crutchie and get away from here.”

Crutchie's heart warmed at being included in those that needed to leave, but the fear in Katherine's voice worried him. Who was this Arden that just the mention of his name frightened the woman? A hand on his shoulder made him jump and he jerked around.

His face clear of the makeup that he wore in the evening, Erik raised a finger to his lips. “Spying, Crutchie?”

Pip had warned that Erik's face was frightening, but Crutchie still hadn't understood why that was so. While he'd never realized that a person face could be twisted, he'd faced his own foot every day. If one was frightening, was not the other as well? Had been laughed and at tormented. His crutch had been the reason behind his name, and 'Crutchie' was one of the kinder names he'd been addressed by. He coudn't even remember what his real name was.

“Yes, sir,” he answered. “I'm sorry.”

A smile appeared on Erik's face. “Have you learned anything interesting?”

“Miss Michaela's scared,” Crutchie whispered, moving away from the door. The carpets on the floor muffled his steps, something that had taken him awhile to get used to. “She wants Miss Katherine to run.”

Erik frowned. “Michaela? Advising us to run?” he asked. “Have you heard the reason why?”

For a moment, Crutchie hesitated. “Because someone named Arden is coming.”

The expression on Erik's face changed, becoming darker and more than a little terrifying. Crutchie felt like he should back away, but didn't know of a graceful way to do. So he stayed where he was. “Thank you, Crutchie,” was all the man said a few moments later. Erik turned and strode away.

Crutchie had the feeling that he shouldn't have told the man. Shaking his head, he put his ear to the wood once more, hoping he'd be able to learn something more.

“Why would he coming? What can he possibly gain by coming after us?” Katherine was asking, sounding panicked. “This time someone will die. I stopped Erik before, but I don't think I could again. If I don't, though, Arden will kill Erik.”

Killing? Crutchie shook his head. “You have to run,” Michaela urged. “I wouldn't say this if it were anyone else, Katherine. But Arden...he's not...he frightens me.”

“He's psychotic,” Katherine remarked. “If he wants revenge for us humiliating him, he won't stop following us. No matter where we go.”

“Maybe you should fake your death?”

Jane groaned. “Not the time, Michaela. Katherine, you're going to start hyperventilating. Just take a deep breath and calm down. Nothing is wrong right now. Everything is fine right now. At this very moment. Erik is here. You're here. Michaela needs to learn not to blurt things out like she does. Pip is doing whatever he does when we don't see him with Crutchie. Everything is fine.”

So caught up in eavesdropping, Crutchie lost his balance and hit the floor. As he struggled to get up, the door opened. “Have you been there the whole time?” Katherine asked, her voice trembling with an effort to hide her fear. Sheepishly, Crutchie nodded. “Why am I not surprised? And was Pip here as well?”

The boy shook his head. “But Mister Erik was,” he offered, eager to get the whole truth off his chest. “I told him what I heard.”

Her eyes widening, Katherine gasped. “I have to go to him,” she said.