That Way Madness Lies: XV of Shakespeare's Most Notable Works Reimagined

by Dahlia Adler

Her outside demeanor is calm as always, but Shai sees the storm still surging behind her dark eyes, knows a part of her feels sick about this but a bigger part is glad to have played a role after staying in the shadows for so long. “Well, that went about as well as it could have.” Shai smiles wryly. “Got the job done, I think. Thank you for playing your part so well. Let no one say Jews do not excel at theatre.” “Raph was pretty great too. You’re lucky to have such a talented stable of cousins,” she says with a curtsey. Then her face grows serious. “Listen, I’m sorry—” “Don’t.” Shai squeezes her hand. “You’ve got your reasons for hiding your Jewishness, and I’ve got my reasons for wearing mine on my sleeve. Or, more literally, on my head, I guess. We both know the world isn’t exactly kind to us.” “No, it’s really not. I hate how grateful I am that my dad has the least Jewish name ever.” “Well, you made good use of that here, and it was cool and brave as hell.” Shai grins. “Mi yode’ah im la’et ka’zot higat l’malchut?” Who knows whether you came to the kingdom for a time such as this? “Did you just quote Esther at me?” “Good ear.” “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose,” says Persia, cracking her own smile. “Nice job, cuz.”