Nicola watched as Arene moved from her and headed towards Dracula. At first she stood rooted to the spot but then quickly ran after the other girl, pausing as she saw Dracula move towards her new friend.

"Why are you here?" Dracula asked with a smirk. "Because you answered the invitation. You are all here of your own free will." He watched her carefully, waiting for a response but then he noticed the other girl behind her. It was the one he had spotted a few moments ago. This one would be easier to control. She was completely in his thrall and he hadn't even tried to make her so yet! He called silently to her.

Nicola heard the voice in her mind. "Come here, my dear". She stepped forward then stopped momentarily as she looked at Arene. The other girl was saying something but she couldn't hear her. That voice called her again and she stepped right up to Dracula. The rest of the crowd seemed to vanish and it was just the two of them.

"What would you do for me?" Dracula asked as he stared into her eyes.

"Anything," she whispered, seeing a glint in his eyes.

"Truly?" he asked. Then without waiting for an answer he pulled her to him and bit into her neck.

The room began to spin and a slight moan escaped Nicola's lips. Then it was over. She felt herself released and stumbled backwards. He had just tasted her - no more. Luckily someone caught her or she would have fallen.

"This is Nicola, everyone," the Count declared, gesturing at her. "Now," said Dracula, returning his attention to Arene, "what was it we were discussing?"

Arene raced forward and caught Nicola in her arms. Placing two fingers to her neck, she breathed a sigh of relief; she still had a pulse. She looked back up at Dracula, shaking,
"What did you do to her?"
Dracula smiled evilly. "Nothing, see?"
Nicola moaned and opened her eyes. She rubbed her head and looked Arene.

"What happened?"
"You... You mean, you don't remember?" Arene stared at her in shock.
Nicola shook her head.

"I remember talking to Dracula... nothing else."
"So that's it," Arene whispered.
"What?" Nicola asked, wondering why this girl was acting like this.
"Not here," she mouthed.
Dracula smiled and addressed the crowd.

"My dear ladies... please enjoy yourselves!"
With that the performers, music, and dancing all started. It looked so beautiful it almost seemed like a dream, but everyone knew it was true! Several girls started dancing, others were talking to Dracula telling them how much they adored him. Arene helped Nicola back to her feet and the two walked over to one of the banquet tables.
"Thanks," Nicola said. "I guess I was just a little light-headed."
"Trust me that wasn't it," Arene thought to herself, but smiled.

"No prob. I don't think we were properly introduced though, I'm Arene."
"Nicola, nice to meet you!" She smiled and the two shook hands. "That was quite strange, what happened back there."
"Very," Arene said, her eyes focused on the Count. "You were bitten my him."
"Bitten by him! I don't remember that and anyway he wouldn't do that. Not in front of all these people."
"Maybe because they didn't see it," Arene said to herself.
"What?" Nicola asked.
Arene noticed as Dracula moved away from his guests and behind a large curtain. She turned to Nicola.
"Stay here and whatever you do, be careful."
Arene walked through the crowd and carefully moved behind the curtain, where she saw Dracula talking to a few of the performers,
"It is almost time," he told them. "Now that I have Nicola bitten, taking the others should be no problem. All of these girls adore me, it should be no problem at all."
"Master," one spoke up, "what do you intend to do with them?"
Dracula smiled.

"That's for only me to know, isn't it?"
"Forgive me master," the performer said, "but what if something were to go wrong?"
"It CAN'T go wrong," Dracula said, suddenly feeling another presence, "but... there is always a chance of having a guest that... knows too much!"
Arene gasped and tried to break away, except one of Dracula's servants had already grabbed her and brought her before him.