Murmured whispers filled the air from the crowd below.

I lounged against the balcony, watching as the multitude of people trickled in. A majority of them waved cameras, making it was hard to tell the journalists from the crazed fans. Though, I figured I could assume any holding the overdone signs covered in hearts were the second category. Probably.

My fists gripped the railing as I scanned for drones. I spotted two? No four, each hovering in the foliage of some nearby trees. Professional models, with sleek black cases. I grimaced and turned away from them. Better not to stare, especially considering what was coming next.

I took a deep breath. It was showtime.

When I was certain everyone was paying attention, I raised a single finger and waved it back and forth in front of the crowd. People jeered, and cameras flashed. With exaggerated movements, I staggered back and rubbed my face, yelling insults that would make a sailor blush.

The creak of the back door opening stopped my commotion and silenced the crowd. Blinking, I hurriedly moved aside to let the woman of the hour saunter into the light. I scowled at her, and she waved me off as she stepped into my vacated space.

With a bow, she took off her oversized sun hat and waved it at the crowd. They chanted her name in response, along with her characters’ various titles.

“Vanessa. Vanessa. Vanessa. Queen of the dead! Crypt Keeper! Wight Widow!”

“You all make me sick!” I shook my fist at them, which had the effect of their volume increasing tenfold.

With a growl I hoped they could hear, I turned to Vanessa.

“This is all because of you!” I stabbed my finger in her direction as I spoke. “They’re here to see you!”

Her smile grew into a vicious grin as she gestured at her admirers.

“Not a fan of my admirers?” She posed, a hand sweeping up her neck to brush a strand of her long white hair behind her ear.

My eyes scanned her pristine skin, and I sighed in relief when it showed no signs of any marks. That could start some rumors. Her pale skin picked up bruises like no one’s business. With a shake of my head, I refocused my scowl, and aimed it as much towards the crowd as her.

With a grunt, I threw up my hands. “They’re loud and annoying. Just because you’re in the revamped Crypt Lord film—”

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“—Opening night this Saturday at 5:00pm!” She twirled, and I watched the figure hugging, sequined monstrosity sparkle in the light. The Cameras went nuts. I hoped they got some good ones. She looked stunning in that dress.

“Right that one. Besides, now they’re going to chase you to our local theater. The one on Molden street? I liked that theater.” I leaned against the railing. “Red carpet treatments are going to ruin it. We will have to turn up early. ALL BECAUSE OF YOU IDIOTS!” I directed that last part down below.

Her eyebrow raised a touch, and I tried to restrain myself. No need to overdo the scene.

“Well, they can hardly blame me for that!” Her tone was downright irritated, and I took another step back. “I’m allowed to have fans!”

“But that doesn’t mean I need to suffer for your new fame!” I stomped around the balcony, throwing my hands up again. “It’s not fun being photographed all the time.”

That got her to smirk, and she let the audience see it. She slumped onto the corner of the balcony, and I was sure I saw her eyes go towards the tree line. “Oh, I don’t mind. Why not show off when you look this fantastic?”

Before I could say anything, she blew a kiss into the crowd. One guy fainted after a desperate bid to catch it from the air.

Pathetic? Yes. Unexpected? No.

“Well, why wouldn’t you?” I gestured at her. “In a designer dress like that. The Silk Spider does fantastic work. Isn’t that right, folks?”

Cheering exploded from below as I watched Vanessa strut around from the corner of my eye. When the crowd finally died down a little, I let loose the perfect retort.

“It’s just a pity you need so much help to look that good.” I leaned back on the railing and flipped her off.

The lingering cheers turned to Boos and a couple of death threats. I sneered down at them and gave them the finger, too. It was fun, dangerous, but fun. More cameras flashed, and I could almost see the journalists scribbling in their notebooks.

I wondered what headline they’d go with? High-rise jealousy? Beauty and the Bastard? Vanessa’s next action knocked the thoughts straight from my head.

In two strides, Vanessa was at my side, hand raised. I braced myself for the slap, and all went quiet as she struck me. As my head flung sideways, I let out a loud, pained gasp, and I staggered back the final two steps. My butt hit the railing, and I tilted. Someone down below screamed, while others cheered.

I scrambled for purchase and grabbed the rail before I went any further back.

With an outraged huff, I marched back inside, slamming the door behind me. As the sounds of flashes and voices intensified, I smiled at the empty room. Before I slumped on the couch to wait, I slipped off my shoes and grabbed a drink.

She would only be another ten minutes. I watched her for a while, as she played to the crowd by shouting down random movie lines and waving until I was sure her arm would drop off. Finally, she slipped back inside as we closed the windows, and shut ourselves into the furthest room in the house.

Once the door clicked shut, we collapsed on the bed. We let silence fill the air as we stared at each other.

Her lips twitched, and mine followed suit.

Then the laughter started.