Free Romeo & Juliet & Vampires by William Shakespeare Page B

about—and a man who was also a Montague.
    â€œOh, be some other name,” Juliet said as she watched a comet’s tail streak the sky with a brilliant white light. “But if this Montague swears his love to me, I will no longer be a Capulet.”
    There was a sudden noise in the orchard—perhaps a lark flying from one tree branch to another—but Juliet ignored it, too lost in her thoughts.
    â€œOh, Romeo, if you went by another name, I would adore you no less. But can either of us dismiss the facts?”
    Another sound came from the ground below. This time, it was louder and caught Juliet’s attention. She briefly peered down into the darkness, wiping a stray tear from her eye. But she saw nothing out of the ordinary.
    â€œIt is impossible to ignore or forget the history between our families. The stories I have heard about how my uncles have brutally slain your cousins. The vicious Montague raids that Tybalt protected me from again and again.
    â€œMy heart is not prejudiced, my dear, but my mind—”
    â€œIs as alluring as your face,” said a booming voice from within the orchard’s walls. “And as sharp as your wit.”
    Juliet stumbled back a bit, completely stunned by the abrupt interruption.
    â€œWho’s there?” she asked.
    â€œApologies, my lady, but I heard you speaking on your balcony and could not spend another moment in silence,” the voice replied.
    Juliet covered her mouth with both her hands. This was so embarrassing.
    Unless perhaps…
    â€œIdentify yourself, please, sir.” Juliet approached the terrace banister and leaned over so she could have a closer look.
    A gentleman stepped out from behind a lattice fence in the far corner of the orchard. He came into view when he took off his hat and gazed up, the moonlight striking the familiar and flawless contours of his face.
    Juliet would have been thrilled to see it was Romeo, had she not just made a total fool of herself by revealing all of her feelings. What a disaster.
    â€œI can only imagine what you must think of me,” she said, her voice quite timid. “Now you know I’m a Capulet, and you have seen me talking to myself like an idiot.”
    Romeo placed his hat back on. “I have no ill will toward you, Juliet. And I don’t care what either of our families has done to each other. I only want to make you happy.”
    â€œHow did you find me here?” Juliet said with a smile so big, her cheeks hurt a little.
    â€œIt was by chance,” Romeo said, his eyes neverdrifting away from her. “But from now on, I will no longer leave our fate up to the whims of the universe.”
    Juliet’s smile suddenly began to fade. “I’m afraid our fate is doomed, my lord, regardless of how we feel.”
    â€œWhy is that? Because I am a Montague and you are a Capulet?”
    â€œYes, of course.” Juliet bowed her head sadly. “How can we ever get past that?”
    â€œSweet Juliet, I personally have never taken the life of any Capulet,” Romeo said eagerly. “Nor anyone else, for that matter. And I am certain you can say that you have never struck another person, whether they were Montague or not.”
    Juliet nodded in affirmation, although she knew that in three days, she would be expected to do far worse than that.
    â€œThen why must we judge ourselves by the sins of our fathers? Why must we hate because they hate? Our love, Juliet, should be as free as we allow it to be,” Romeo reasoned.
    â€œ Our love,” Juliet repeated, her heart dancing.
    â€œOh, Juliet, please don’t be doubtful,” Romeo pleaded.
    â€œIt is not that simple.” Juliet wished that she could let her emotions run wild, but one of them had to act reasonably.
    â€œWhat else could come between us?”
    â€œWhat else? I am turning into a vampire! In three days, no less.” Juliet looked directly at Romeo to see his reaction, and