I had reached up and pulled the castle of dreams down around him.

My mind has touched the farthest horizons of mortal imagination and reaches ever outward to embrace infinity. There is no knowledge beyond my comprehension, no art or skill upon this entire planet that lies beyond the mastery of my hand. And yet, like Faust, I look in vain, I learn in vain. . . . For as long as I live, no woman will ever look on me in love.

I want you to take off the mask, Erik, do you hear me? I want you to take it off right now.
-Luciana

Wherever this shadowed path might lead, we were both irrevocably committed to follow it to the end.

Ah, well...hell is full of burning boats, did you know that, Nadir? I daresay that's what makes it so bloody hot.

She wanted an Angel of Music . . . an angel who would make her believe in herself at last. I'd been the Angel of Doom for the khanum. There was no reason in the world why I could not be the Angel of Music for Christine. I couldn't hope to be a man to her, I couldn't ever be a real, breathing, living man waking at her side and reaching out for her . . . But I could be her angel' -Erik