‘Saving your ass!’ I hiss back. ‘Let down your vampiric shield, and I’ll guide you through the scene.’
Her green eyes widen. Our faces are so close together I can see tiny flecks of gold in her irises.Gorgeous.
‘W-what?’ Her plush bottom lip quivers, and I want to kiss it and bite it at the same time.
‘I can help you through this. But you have to trust me,’ I whisper.
She really shouldn’t trust me. But it’s either that, or this performance flopping majorly (and a stinging critique from the rest of the cast, which I really don’t want for me or her).
I grip Hester’s shoulder and whisper, ‘Let me in, and I promise it will be fine.’
For the audience, it looks like I’m giving her an encouraging friendly squeeze while I impart my creative ideas. But what I’m really doing is displaying my power. Only a vampire can fully appreciate another vampire’s strength.
Hester winces as I tighten my fist over her clavicle, and whether or not she fully believes what I am, she’s desperate enough to trust me in this moment.
A second later, I push against her mental wall, and I’m in!
Me:Fantastic. Now we can really act the shit out of this scene.
Hester’s mouth drops open, and I feel her pushing against my own wall. Fine, I’ll let her in briefly.
What the fuck? You’ve gotalotof explaining to do!
I chuckle and pat her arm for the audience, like I’m glad we’re both on the same page.Yeah, probably. But for now, let’s show these humans how well vampires can act.
Chapter 18
Hester | London, present day
I can’t believe this. Will is a vampire.A fucking vampire!
The shock must be all-encompassing, or Will is manipulating me, because I find myself back in front of the audience and saying my lines and moving around and gesturing like I’m watching myself from a distance. I’m acting!
A calming energy is flowing through me, so it must be Will. But for once, I don’t care about making a fool of myself. Everything flows naturally, like when I’m practising with Floss or Sadie.
It’s exhilarating to act without fear of forgetting my lines, and of course, I can admire Will’s superior acting skills. Then it’s over. There’s a smattering of applause from the audience; and I shuffle my feet, hanging my head, relieved that it’s over.
‘Thanks, you two,’ says Jordy from the back. ‘Anyone gotfeedback?’
The woman who’s playing Olivia tentatively raises her hand. ‘Um, like, Viola is meant to be lusting over Orsino here. I’d like to see her give more obvious asides to the audience demonstrating that. And, like, maybe some attempt to touch him while he remains oblivious. That would really amp up the sexual tension and comedy.’
I grit my teeth. What the hell does she want me to do? Pretend to hump him? This isn’t vaudeville.
‘Good feedback. Thanks, Abigail. Anyone else?’
A guy’s hand shoots up from the middle.
‘Yes, Ben?’
‘Yeah, I agree. There needs to be more fawning from Viola behind his back.’
The rest of the audience murmurs their agreement.
‘Great. Thanks, Ben,’ says Jordy. ‘Yes, and don’t forget the alternative title for the play isWhat You Will,which means it’s an opportunity to do anything you please. A night where passion is paramount. What about it, Hester? Can you make us believe you want to get Will into bed and give him a good ravishing?’ Jordy gives a smirk.
‘Uh, I can t-try,’ I stutter, unable to look at Will right now. I bet he’s loving this. The women in the front row titter, so he must have a silly expression on his face.
Jesus, it’s bad enough finding out he’s a vampire, but now I’m his dancing sex puppet. This is so humiliating.
