"My dear!"
Nicola
looked up from where she lay stretched across the bed and saw her
lord there, smiling down at her. She returned the smile and sat
up.
"I was waiting," she stated simply. Nothing else
mattered to her - just the man in front of her.
"I know,"
he replied. "You have been very good my dear and you drank all
that I left for you."
"Is there anymore?"
Nicola found herself asking.
"All in good time,"
said Dracula, a smile playing at his lips and a glint in his eye. "I
have come to grant all your wishes. Everything you've ever longed for
will be yours once this night is over."
"I am yours
forever," she whispered as he moved onto the bed next to
her.
"I know," he responded as he leant towards her,
nestling against her neck.
Nicola felt a sharp pain as he
pierced her skin and could not suppress another moan.
"The
pain will soon be over," his voice rang in her head, "and
we will be together always."
The room span around her and
Nicola lost track of time until she was suddenly aware of him moving
away from her slightly. She tried to follow his movements but her
eyes would not focus. Strong arms encircled her and lifted her up.
"Drink." Dracula pressed his wrist against her mouth and a
trickle of blood began to run from the wound he had made there. As it
hit her lips a thirst like none she had ever known awakened within
her and she clamped her mouth against his skin, sucking hard to try
and get more blood to quench her insatiable thirst. She cried out in
anguish as he pulled away and got up from the bed. The blood she had
consumed was pounding in her ears and a feeling of complete euphoria
had come over her. But still...she wanted more.
"You
shall have more, my dear, very soon," said Dracula reading her
thoughts, "but first you must rest a moment while your body
completes its changes. Then we will hunt together, my bride."
Nicola
lay back down on the bed and closed her eyes. Everything was so
different. She could see everything, hear everything. A whole new
world had opened up before her and she would discover it soon with
her lord's help and love. Somewhere a heartbeat echoed round a
deserted corridor. She searched with her mind but couldn't focus on
it. It could wait. First she needed to sleep...
Arene raced up the stairway as fast
as she could, her heart almost pounding outside her chest. The sound
of Van Helsing's voice still echoed in her ears and kept her strong.
She would not fall pray to the Count and she would save Nicola if it
meant her very life. The clothes Dracula had given her were lighter
and allowed her to move faster up the stairs. Finally she reached a
large oak door and opened it. Inside she found a lovely 18th century
room and a large bed in the middle. A figure lay upon it.
"NICOLA!"
Arene screamed and rushed to her friend's side. She placed her
fingers to Nicola's neck trying to find a pulse. She was breathing,
but no pulse came to Arene's fingertips. Tears filled her eyes.
"Oh,
Nicola," she began to cry, "what has he done to
you?"
Knowing she had to get help as soon as she could
she turned and rushed to open the door. She had to find someone to
help Nicola. Just as she opened the door and tried to run out a
figure stood in her path.
"Dracula," she
breathed.
"Ah, my dear," Dracula said, his smile
deepening and his fangs growing long, "what perfect timing."
Dracula pressed on into the room,
forcing Arene backwards till he was able to close the door, shutting
the three of them in together.
Nicola was aware of her lord's
presence nearby and opened her eyes as she sat up in the bed. She
smiled warmly at her lord but the smile changed to a frown as she saw
the young woman at his side. Something about her was familiar but she
couldn't quite place her. Why bother trying? Her lord would explain
all. She gave Dracula a questioning look and watched as a malicious
smile passed over his face. He glanced at Arene then returned his
gaze to his bride as he stepped towards her.
"It is time
for you to feed again my dear," he stated as he drew her towards
him and Arene.
Nicola stepped towards Arene. She was so hungry
and she could hear the blood coursing through the girl's veins.
Something was wrong though. Deep down she felt that she couldn't harm
her. It was as if she was her...friend...
Nicola paused and
Dracula stepped towards her. "What are you waiting for? Take her
now!!"
Nicola continued to stare at the
young girl, trying to place her. She knew that she knew this girl
from.... somewhere, she just couldn't remember. Dracula patience was
growing thin. If Nicola did not feed on her soon than she would
surely remember and the Count could not have Arene live. He gently
went to Nicola's side and spoke to her in a warm, coaxing voice.
"I
know you are weak, my love, but this girl cannot run away from you.
You must feed on her!"
Nicola took in the sound of her
Lord's voice and came closer towards Arene, but stopped again. Arene
looked desperately at Nicola.
"Please.... You have to fight
his hold on you."
Nicola looked at the girl again.
"I know you... where?"
Arene
tried to explain.
"It's me, Arene. Nicola, don't you remember? We met at the party tonight. We were trying to stop from Dracula from harming any of the other girls. He chose you to be his queen, but you have to fight him! Nicola, please.... I'm your friend."
