Page 212 of Juliet & Her Romeos

Then the two shadow figures circle me with the knife.

Desperately, I try to crawl between them to reach my dying lover, who outstretches his hand to me. But they leap and stamp, cutting me off.

Crying, I make one final, desperate attempt, snatching hold of Swan’s hand, just as his eyes close.

The shadow man raises his knife above my head.

At that moment, Thiago leaps from the cage.

He wrestles with the man, blocking his attack. They dance around each other in a dark, distorted parody of the dance that’d started the routine between Swan and me, while I rest my head on Swan’s chest.

At last, the knife slashes as if across Thiago’s cheek, and he drops to the boards.

There’s sudden commotion in the front row.

Someone is rushing out of the theater.

It must be Olivia.

Got her.

My expression steels.

The music is building to its dark climax.

My throat is dry. My cheeks are wet.

The shadows descend on me like night. They twirl and dance in furious moves around Swan and I, as we lie on the ground together, the tragic lovers.

They dance closer and closer, until they’re entirely covering us.

The music rises and rises…

When the shadow dancers pull back, I lie with my eyes closed, murdered like my lover.

Ambrose described the scene just like this, even if one of his eyes had been blinded by blood.

I’m holding Swan’s hand. My head is resting on his chest.

We’re close in death at least.

Thiago grieves, pulling himself to his feet to stand over us, protective even now.

When the moon brightens, the light drives the shadow people from the stage.

Finally, the music lightens, the violin soars like it’s our souls rising to heaven or the stars that twinkle that bit brighter because we’re joining them.

Swan surreptiously squeezes my hand, as if he knows that I need to be certain that he’s still alive and here with me.

In the midst of the sorrow, the dancers who’ve been trapped in the two cages finally fly free, discovering a new world.

From both corners of the stage, they unite together.

Romeo partners with Cinders.

The audience are whispering again.

This is the first time our packs have danced together.

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