William Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet & Vampires

TRANSYLVANIA, 1462

F or the past six years, the Wallachian Province of Transylvania was ruled by Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless prince responsible for the deaths of forty thousand European people during his reign. Vladimir couldnt have accomplished this horrific feat alone, of course. A special part of his constituencya family of vampires known as the Capuletshelped him carry out this murderous rampage by feeding off of undesirables one by one.

In exchange for their work, the Capulets were given a large, imposing castle in the southern part of the Carpathian Mountains near the city of Transylvania and anything else their hearts desired. They enjoyed the benefits of being wealthy aristocrats by day, bloodsuckers by nightopulent clothes; priceless jewels; supernatural powers; and immortality. They owned most of the land in the area and had servants to tend to their every whim.

One might say that to be a Capulet was to be both envied and abhorred. However, if you were talking with a Montague, he would have told you that the Capulets were mercenaries of evil who had to be destroyed.

Blessed with a keen sense of intuition and vampire-slaying skills that could not be matched, the Montagues fought the Capulets at every opportunity to keep them from terrorizing the citizens of Transylvania. Their hope was to rid the world of these beasts, once and for all.

But recently the rules of war were changed. Prince Vladimir was ousted from the throne and imprisoned, leaving his half brother Radu in power. Radus first act as prince was to institute a peace treaty in the region of Wallachia, thereby forcing the Montagues and the Capulets into a truce.

But could peace really exist between sworn enemies, especially when one was as bloodthirsty as the Capulet family?

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossd lovers were fated to find out.

Citizens of Transylvania,

With Vlad the Impaler imprisoned for his crimes against humanity, the era of his violence is officially over. A peace treaty has been reached between the new government and Vladimirs mercenaries, the Capulets.

If any humans or vampires commit a violent act that results in the injury or death of another, their lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

Abiding by this simple, yet definitive law should lead to civility and tranquillity in our kingdom.

Prince Radu

J uliet sat on her bed and stared at her reflection in an ornate gilded mirror, which she held close to her face. With her fingertip, she traced the outline of her rose-hued lips on the glass, repeating the same movement over the subtle slope of her nose and the smooth youthful brow above her indigo-colored eyes.

She was not one to be vain. But in three days, the simple act of checking to see if a chestnut-colored tendril had fallen loose from one of her hair combs would not be so simple. Truth be told, it wouldnt even be possible, for Juliets reflection would cease to exist.

Keep your chin up, my lady, said a voice from behind her. God knows it will improve your posture.

Juliet felt her breath catch in her throat, surprised to hear that someone else was in her chambers. She set the mirror down on her lap and turned toward the door, where her beloved nursemaid stood, dressed in a white smock and holding a wooden brush in her hand.

Juliet sighed. Her nurse was here to help her prepare for a lavish ball that her parents were hosting this evening. However, Juliet would rather hide in her chambers for the night than play the role of dutiful daughter in a room full of vampires and strangersespecially since she was in such a somber mood.

I have more important things to be concerned about than my posture, Juliet said as she rose from her bed, still clutching the ivory handle of her mirror.

She walked over to the leaded terrace window and gazed at the snowcapped mountains that lined the far reaches of Transylvania. As a child, shed dreamed of leaving the castle and disappearing into the hills, where shed befriend all the wild animals and live off of berries. How foolish she had been.

I suppose you are referring to your birthday. The nurse strode across the room, her short, meaty legs pounding the marble floor. She stood behind Juliet and removed her mistresss robe, quickly pulling it off of both her arms. Most girls look forward to turning sixteen. Or am I mistaken?

Juliet closed her eyes, feeling the last ray of the setting sun tickle her skin through her thin cotton slip. Soon, exposure to direct sunlight would be the kiss of death for her.

Most girls do not have to kill someone and drink every last drop of their blood in order to live a day past it, she said.

The nurse circled in front of Juliet and glowered at her. Well, theres no sense in wishing for what is unattainable. Now sit back down so I can untangle that nest of hair before Lady Capulet comes to call. We cannot have her seeing you so unkempt.

Juliet nodded and shuffled over to her bed, heeding the nurses command. She knew better than anyone how easy it was to be scared of Lady Capulet.

But there was one thing more frightening than the matriarch of the Capulet family: a surprise raid on the castle by the vampire-slaying Montagues. There had been three security breaches beforeguerrilla attacks in retaliation for the brutal murders the Capulets had carried out at the hands of Vlad the Impaler.

In those dire hours, Juliet had always been fiercely protected, mostly by her older cousin Tybalt. But now she couldnt help but wonder if she wouldve been better off as a casualty. Of course, being dead would free her from her troubles, but dying at the hands of the Montagues would only cause more destruction in Transylvania. The Capulets hated the Montagues with every fiber of their unbeating hearts, and would certainly seek vengeance at any cost. She couldnt bear the thought of being responsible for anyones death, regardless of who they were.

Juliet let out a deep breath and tried to force these disconcerting thoughts from her mind. As the hair-brushs soft bristles massaged her scalp, she recalled a more carefree time, when she used to love counting the brushstrokes and listening to her nurse sing happy folk songs while she worked. When the nurses own child died many years ago, she practically adopted Juliet, and Juliet felt she could trust her nurse with anything.

Dont you take any pity on me, Nurse? she asked, her voice despondent and desperate for sympathy. Or my soon-to-be-damned soul?

Juliet heard no response as the brush kept moving through her hair. But then there was a pause, and Juliet felt the nurses lips press down on the crown of her head.

I do, child, the nurse replied tenderly. When you have doubts, remember that Ive been preparing my heart for this since you were born. Its been a wretched task.

A tear trickled down Juliets cheek, which she quickly wiped away. Thank you, I will.

The nurse wrapped her arms around Juliet and squeezed. Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?

Yes, switch lives with me, Juliet said with a small grin.

The nurse laughed into Juliets ear. That is quite a favor to ask.

I know, but you cannot blame me for trying, Juliet replied, her eyes smiling just a little.

Suddenly there was a knock at the chamber door and the nurse snapped to attention.

I wasnt expecting her ladyship for another hour or so, she gasped. The nurse handed Juliet the brush, then raced over to the closet and opened it.

Juliet managed a girlish giggle. Unlike the other vampires who slept until nightfall, Lady Capulets eyes always popped open the moment twilight arrived. Well, my mother does love to keep her human underlings on their toes.

The nurse fetched Juliets robe, shaking her head with disapproval. Nobody likes a young maiden with a sharp tongue.