Romeo & Juliet & Vampires by William Shakespeare

suddenly ripped through Juliet’s soul and she could not shake it. Juliet knew in her heart that she never would see Tybalt down here again, but not because he was a man of his word. As Tybalt turned away from her and reentered the cell, Juliet dashed down the dark underground corridor, hoping to outrun all the fears that were closing in all around her.

CHAPTER SIX
    W ith Mercutio and Benvolio right alongside him, Romeo took his first steps into the Great Hall, which was still filled to capacity with his family’s longtime enemies. He strolled along the edge of the crowd, his posture confident and a topaz-colored cap hanging slightly over his eyes so that his face was partially obscured. His cousins were wearing similar hats, thanks to the generosity of Maribel the servant maid, who helped them with their disguises after the power of the necklaces wore off. Somehow, she had managed to acquire some very formal attire that was bulky and ornate enough to mask all of their identities—and their secret weapons. If Romeo had bumped into Benvolio or Mercutio in town wearing these silken capes and other accessories, he certainly wouldn’t have recognized them.
    While he surveyed the crowd for a glimpse of his sweet Rosaline, Romeo was relieved to see that the costumes they were wearing seemed to have fooled the Capulets. The vampires floated about, conversing with each other gaily, without noticing that the Montagues had infiltrated their soiree.
    â€œSo this is what these disgusting mongrels do when they aren’t massacring innocent people,” Benvolio mumbled as he monitored the vampires’ every move.
    â€œFrom the looks of all this commingling, it appears that peace in Transylvania might actually be achieved,” Romeo said. He watched in amazement as two men on his left—one vampire, one human—chuckled with each other. Romeo never thought he’d see the day.
    â€œMaybe you should keep your opinions to yourself until you’ve seen a Capulet murder someone you care about,” Benvolio replied.
    â€œIt’s not Romeo’s fault that he isn’t old enough to join us on the front lines,” Mercutio said in his friend’s defense.
    Romeo gave Benvolio a cold, hard stare. “Honestly, I’m glad that I haven’t fought in any of your battles. All it has done is turn you into a bloodthirsty savage.”
    â€œ I am a savage?” Benvolio grabbed him by the arm, twisting his sleeve so tight that Romeo’s wrist turned a bright shade of pink. “You better take that back.”
    â€œOr what?” Romeo taunted. He was sick of Benvolio’sbullying, especially now when he needed his cousin’s help.
    Mercutio suddenly broke in between them, holding two large chalices in his hands and smiling as though he’d just ingested a liter of ale. “Good fellows!” he said cheerily. “Stop bickering and be merry. We are among our dear friends!”
    Then he shoved both glasses at Romeo and Benvolio, and quickly huddled together with them, whispering, “Who might try to tear us limb from limb if they find out who we really are.”
    Romeo realized Mercutio was right and reminded himself why he was putting all of them at great risk—the beautiful and perfect Rosaline. Arguing with Benvolio would only put his plan in jeopardy.
    Romeo held up his chalice and grinned at Benvolio. “Agreed, Mercutio. We must behave as gentlemen.”
    Benvolio was still clearly angry, but he held up his glass anyway and tipped it politely toward Romeo. “That is the difference between you and me, Cousin. You consider yourself a gentleman, but I am now, and will always be, a warrior.”
    â€œI will drink to that.” Romeo bowed to Benvolio, hoping to show his cousin some respect for his bravery, which could not be denied, no matter how Romeo felt about the violence between his family and the Capulets.
    â€œAnd so will I,” Benvolio