"No," Laurent said, not considering the prospect for a moment. The beautiful young man who had stumbled into his realm belonged to him now. It had been an aspect of the Phantom's genius that Laurent had never understood, the desire to possess someone. But now that his overly inquisitive guest had intruded, Laurent balked at letting him go. "This is your room now. You intruded upon my home, and you've seen my secrets. I cannot allow you to leave."

He continued holding the door to the room. Waiting. It was not a request, and the Opera Ghost's eyes were icy behind his golden mask.

Maybe he's too much trouble to keep. Maybe I should just kill him.

Laurent's heart beat faster at the thought, rejecting it with surprising vehemence. He had never before thought himself soft. It wouldn't be the first time he had killed a man, after all.