Nicola
knew she was too fast for Van Helsing to catch and continued to try
to strike but the Knight Of The Holy Order was also fast. He charged
at her and slammed into her side, causing her to fall.
"You
are strong, Gabriel Van Helsing," she said, changing once more
into her human form, "but my master will defeat you in the
end."
"That depends," Van Helsing said. "You
didn't seem too affected when Arene went off to stop Dracula."
"She
won't hurt him, she swore to me she would not hurt him," Nicola
said, then she added softly, "and she will keep her
promise."
Gabriel looked at her strangely.
"Why?"
"Oh,
Gabriel."
Nicola didn't get a chance to answer. She could
see her master standing in the door way and so could Van Helsing. He
had a powerful look on his face and seemed to be carrying something
in his arms; it was covered by his cloak.
"Very
impressive, Gabriel." Dracula said. "You have gotten even
stronger, but I have a feeling you will not harm me or my
bride."
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't!"
Van Helsing said, ready to draw another weapon if necessary.
Dracula
smiled.
"Just a hunch," he said as he pulled back his cloak. Van Helsing dropped his weapon and his expression fell at once. An unconscious Arene lay in Count Dracula's arms.
At first Nicola looked triumphant but then her expression changed. Arene had been her friend after all. Had been? Was. Nicola realised she was beginning to forget as she came more and more under the Count's influence. She wanted to make one last attempt to help the other girl before it was too late for either of them.
"My lord," she said, "I will hold her while you deal with him."
Dracula looked at his bride then passed Arene's limp body to her.
"But do not kill her yet," he cautioned. "Once Gabriel here is suitable...subdued...he can watch us kill her together."
Nicola nodded and stepped back towards the wall. Once Dracula had turned back to Van Helsing she frantically tried to awaken the other woman.
Dracula smiled as he approached the Knight. Gabriel didn't know it but he was trapped. Behind him at the window he could see his daughters returning from their feast. He silently called to them, charging them to grab the hunter.
Van Helsing spun round as he heard the shattering glass behind him but it was too late. Hands grasped at him and he was forced down onto his knees before the Count while one of the vampires bound his arms and legs. Van Helsing cursed himself. He had come too late and had made too many mistakes by allowing his feelings to overcome his judgement. God, if only he could get free he would make Dracula pay! Their job done Dracula's daughters left the room silently as he bid them do.
"Now that everything is as it should be," said Dracula calmly, "we can finally end the Van Helsing line and maybe my family and I will get a carefree life at last."
Nicola had been unable to awaken Arene from her swoon and now her lord was walking back towards them. He lifted Arene in his arms and returned to face Gabriel.
"May her death rest heavy on your conscience, my friend," he declared before turning to Nicola. "Come my bride - now we will end this."
"Good my lord, you take her," replied Nicola calmly. "I will watch HIM just in case he should break free." This said she moved round behind Van Helsing and placed a hand on his shoulder.
What was she doing, wondered Van Helsing as he saw a momentary look of distrust on Dracula's face.
Dracula thought for a moment.
"Very well," he said at last. Clearly his bride didn't want to kill this girl but she had sworn always to be his and he knew she would not do anything stupid in regard to Van Helsing. With this thought he bent over Arene's sleeping form as his fangs lengthened.
