Fullbright

As Luna gave her soliloquy, drawing tears from every member of the audience, a gentleman in a box-seat captured her attention.

Brilliant, golden, he burned like the sun.

She redoubled her efforts.

She wanted to make the sun cry.

Luna always played the tragic figure.

The one who walked alone through the darkness.

She was the moon.

And she’d never know the sun.

The new actress stared at the pile of gifts that littered Luna’s dressing room. “You could retire five times over.”

“Yes,” Luna said.

“Why do you stay?”

Luna’s gaze slid to shadows. “Because I must.”

Luna traced over the diamond necklace.

A gift from an admirer.

She would wear it for him then sell it at the end of the season.

She did not wish to remember him even though he would never forget her.

Pain. Longing. Sorrow.

Luna could wrench these feelings from her audiences.

It’s why they came. Why she was the most sought-after actress in Stonegate.

And she gave them what they wanted.