Dracula knew Nicola would soon remember. Once again he leaned closer.

"Nicola please.... I am your master."

"Yes," she said, "you are my master always. Would you do something for me, my lord? I should like to have some fun with her first. Let's not kill her straight away."

As she said this Nicola moved towards him, leaning against him and letting one hand playing gently with his ponytail.

Dracula looked down at his bride with suspicion but he could read nothing in her mind or face that suggested she was trying to trick him.

"Very well, my bride," he said at last. "I will indulge you just this once. Truly you have a wild nature. I have chosen well."

This said he turned and moved towards the door.

"Do not be too long with your games though. Remember that her death will please me and I hope you will make me very pleased indeed before the night is out."

As the door shut Nicola turned to Arene and studied the other woman carefully.

"I do not know you but I know that my lord is keeping something from me. If you tell me what you know I will try to find a way to spare your life," she paused and her eyes strayed towards Arene's neck. "Make it quick though," she continued, " as I am getting hungry and my master will soon return."

Arene breathed a slight sigh of relief, knowing that she had been spared another few seconds. But this would not last long. Nicola could not contain her hunger forever and it was pretty obvious Dracula was going to make sure Arene was the only thing on the menu. She nodded to Nicola and spoke.

"I do not know a lot...only that Dracula chose you to be his new queen and he has plans for the other girls back at the party. I think he plans to make them his daughters, to replace the ones he lost. I swear I don't know why I'm immune to all of this or why he wants to kill me so desperately."

Nicola eyes narrowed. She moved closer, her hands slightly outstretched.

"My master wants me to kill you. And though I feel as though I know you...."

"He wants me to die at his hand or yours, I don't know why," Arene said, her hands moving to her throat at once. "All I know is that he's planning for you and all the others to belong to him before the night is out. All I can say is that you are my friend, Nicola. Vampire or human, you are my friend and I can't let you be hurt. Dracula will not spare me... for long anyway. Just...if anything...promise me you'll be careful."

Just then, they could hear footsteps coming up the stair way and a hand turning the doorknob. Nicola knew the sound at once.

"It's my Lord, he's come back," she said, "And he is also thirsting for blood."

As Dracula appeared in the doorway Nicola grabbed hold of Arene and sank her teeth into the girl's neck. She drank carefully. She was still not sure of her own strength and she wanted to try not to kill the other woman. She could feel Dracula's approval and she gently lowered Arene to the floor. She was unconscious but still had a faint pulse.

"Very good, my bride, but she is still alive," said Dracula as his arms encircled Nicola, drawing her up against his chest.

"Not for long, my lord," replied Nicola, gazing up at him. "Leave her here as she is now and her death will not be far away."

"I will summon the Dwergi to remove the body from here."

"No, leave it my lord, please. I should like to see her death. How fascinating death is!" Nicola tried to keep her voice neutral and her mind clear. He couldn't know the real reason she wanted Arene left.

"Very well," said Dracula, stroking his bride's hair. "Soon she will be dead and all will be as it should be. We are so close to success..." he broke off for a moment then smiled at his bride. "I have a few things to attend to but I will be back with you soon, my bride. This night will be special for us in so many ways."