Lisa Kleypas - Capital Theatre 01 by User

Author:User
Language: eng
Format: epub

“Sweet Jesus,” William exclaimed, staring spellbound at the blaze that had begun on the side of the stage. “Damon—we have to get out of here!” The boxes above, below, and around them were bursting in pandemonium as the audience realized what was happening. People fought frenziedly, pushing and shoving each other in the savage battle to escape the potential deathtrap. Women screamed in horror, while men brawled and pummeled to forge a path through the riot.

Damon stared at the blaze onstage, realizing it would be a miracle if they contained it. The Water reservoirs built above the stage appeared to be of little use, despite the crew’s frantic efforts to douse the fire. Red flames snaked along the painted flats and shot across the backcloth, sending scraps of scenery curling and blazing to the stage. Through the smoke and the rain of fire, Damon could see Julia’s slender form arching and bending as she plied a water-soaked cloth to beat back the flames. He was filled with terror and fury. She had remained behind with the male cast and crew to combat the fire. “Damn you, Julia!” he shouted, the sound lost in the frightened roar of the crowd. All conscious thought was consumed in the need to reach her.

Running from the box, he made his way to one of the twin grand staircases that led to the main theater hall on the first floor. The stairs were packed with the writhing, screaming mob. William was at his heels, following him as he launched himself into the melee. “Let’s try the side entrance,” William panted. “Less crowded than the front.”

“You go that way,” Damon said over his shoulder. “I’m heading back inside.”

“For what? For Julia? She’s surrounded by a dozen people who are perfectly capable of taking care of her. By the time you reach the stage, she’ll be outside…and you could very well be trapped!”

“She won’t leave,” Damon said hoarsely, staying close to the railing and shoving his way down a few more steps.

William grunted with the effort to follow him. “Anyone foolish enough to stay in that furnace deserves what they get!” He swore as he realized Damon wasn’t listening to him. “I’ll be damned ft if I go with you! Unlike you, I don’t have a heroic bone in my body.”

“I want you to leave.”

“No,” William said in outrage. “With my luck you’ll perish in the fire…and then I’ll have to be the responsible eldest son…Hell, I’d rather take my chances in here.”

Ignoring his brother’s complaints, Damon continued to the bottom of the stairs, vaulting over the railing when there were only a few feet left. William followed him into the swarm, toward the doors that led to the pit and orchestra seats. It was nearly impossible to make way through the violent flow of the crowd, but they managed to travel a few feet at a time until they were in the middle of the bedlam. The air was rife with wholesale panic.

Leaping over rows of seats in an effort to reach the stage, Damon caught a glimpse of Julia.

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