The Royal Ballet Presents

His eyes stick to me, burning my skin as I twirl across the stage. My legs ache with exhaustion, and my head spins, but his hunger pushes me to excellence. His voice echoes in my mind with each step, reminding me that my best isn't enough anymore. This Christmas, he's the only thing between me and rock bottom.

My back end spins out as I pull down an alley that's nearly too tight for the car to pass. My grip on the stick shift tightens as I drop gears. Trash cans hit the bumper and fly over the top of the vehicle, but I can't stop. The pointé is not the only thing I'm balancing over. I'm in too deep this time, and they are coming after me. I arrive at the door of the only person in the world I trust, but it's not my old dance teacher who answers my call. It's her son. Diego.

She twirls over a pointe, majestic and irresistible, translating her pain into art. I watch her every day from the shadows, waiting for the time to strike. One move to the next, she's a star, my Marcella. My brother says I'm obsessed. I shouldn't desire her as much as I do. Only he knows the kind of monster I am, but now it's too late for salvation. She's mine.