Romeo & Juliet & Vampires by William Shakespeare Page B

hundred of me. None of you are getting out of here alive.”
    Romeo was stunned by what was happening. In mere seconds, a roomful of Capulets could unite and rip him, Benvolio, and Mercutio to shreds. But when Prince Radu and his host, Lord Capulet, suddenlyemerged from the crowd, Romeo realized he might be able to end this situation peacefully.
    â€œDear Prince! Lord Capulet!” he croaked as loudly as he could.
    He caught their attention immediately, as well as the attention of Tybalt, Benvolio, and Mercutio, who were moments away from killing one another.
    â€œOver here!” Romeo waved an arm above his head frantically, making a spectacle. The great Lord Capulet looked a bit skittish as he and Prince Radu approached.
    â€œWhat is the meaning of all this commotion?” Lord Capulet said, seeming to be extremely displeased with Romeo’s antics.
    â€œMy lord, these repulsive creatures are Montagues.” Tybalt reluctantly let go of Romeo’s neck and shoved him away. “I was just about to—”
    â€œIntroduce us!” Romeo interrupted, shaking Lord Capulet’s hand before Tybalt could do or say anything else.
    Lord Capulet and the rest of the lot gawked at each other, totally stunned.
    â€œIs that so?” he asked, steeling a quick, uncertain glance at his nephew.
    â€œOf course!” Romeo threw his arm around Tybalt as if they were childhood friends. “We were so happy that you extended an olive branch to us and requested that we join your celebration here. Weren’t we, men?”
    Benvolio and Mercutio looked at each other andshrugged, putting their weapons down at their sides.
    â€œAnd all of this is because of you, Prince Radu,” Romeo went on, shaking the prince’s hand. “You and your peace treaty have changed Wallachia for the better, and I for one applaud Lord Capulet for being such a strong proponent of it.”
    Prince Radu’s eyes lit up, obviously pleased by what he’d just heard. “I applaud him, too.” He turned to Lord Capulet and smiled. “This is a great achievement, and I am thoroughly impressed with your family.”
    Romeo looked at Lord Capulet, who at first had an indignant expression on his face, but soon it transformed into one of submission. “Thank you, Prince. We were hoping you would feel that way after being here and meeting us.”
    A vein in Tybalt’s pale forehead pulsated as he punched the air in frustration. “This is preposterous! They are our mortal foes! They should be hanged or disemboweled for daring to set foot on our property.”
    â€œI thought I had put an end to those kinds of barbaric acts,” the prince said to Lord Capulet, obviously dismayed by how Tybalt was behaving.
    â€œListen closely, Nephew. These men will remain at the ball and no harm will come to them,” Lord Capulet said, staring Tybalt down. “Is that understood?”
    A disgruntled Tybalt nodded in affirmation, then stalked out of the Great Hall without saying another word.
    Lord Capulet turned in the opposite direction and held his arm out in front of him. “Come, Prince Radu. Let us join Count Paris in the courtyard. There is much for us to talk about.”
    Once Lord Capulet and the prince took leave of them, Benvolio and Mercutio doubled over in laughter, trying to catch their breath in between gasps.
    â€œRomeo, I cannot believe you just did that!” Mercutio said as he clutched at his side.
    â€œLeave it to you to talk your way out of being killed,” Benvolio added. “I have never seen the mighty Tybalt sulk like a baby before.”
    Romeo, however, was too focused on searching for Rosaline to engage in his cousin’s and friend’s antics. Once again, his eyes drifted from woman to woman, seeking out the most delicate skin and most radiant smile he had ever encountered. After a brief moment or two, he noticed a petite maiden crossing the floor about fifty