Van Helsing got up and brushed himself down, wincing as he touched his injured arm. He then moved over to the two girls. As he did so many wails were heard from below them as the Count's daughters felt his death.

Nicola looked up and her sobbing ceased.

"Our daughters," she said as she looked up at the Knight, "what will become of them. I guess you will kill us all now?! I don't understand why we did not perish with our lord."

"I don't understand it completely. I can only guess that it was because he did not give any of you a full taste of his blood. You he changed as quickly as possible from what I've been able to gather and the others only had a small amount of blood pumped through them."

As he said this Gabriel held out his hand and helped Arene up.

"It is time to end this," he said as he turned towards Nicola, who stood waiting for her death.

"No you must not," declared Arene as she moved to her surprised friend and hugged her, shielding the other woman for Van Helsing.

"Dracula is dead now," she stated, cringing at Nicola's sudden wail, " and there must be some other way...surely we don't have to kill them!"

"There is one chance that I know of," replied the Hunter slowly, "but it will require something from you my daughter."

"I will do anything," replied Arene proudly.

Gabriel smiled. "You have courage...very well. This is what we need to do..."

Arene looked round as Nicola made sure her daughters were ready. The wires were connected and they were all in place, most of them still crying at their father's death. Arene couldn't help but feel for them, she knew what it was like to lose her family. Nicola flew back up to the platform where Arene and Gabriel were standing.

"Everything is ready and they are all in place," she said to Gabriel. "I still don't understand what you intend to do."

Gabriel pulled out a dagger and a small bottle of holy water that Carl had given to him. He looked at Arene,

"It's hard to explain, but from what your master told me a long time ago, I am the archangel, making Arene part angel as well. Now, when used properly, the blood of an angel can be used for healing. Because she is your friend and stayed beside you and other others, I would think that mixing her blood with holy water would change you back to human," Gabriel explained.

Nicola nodded in understanding, but turned in Arene's direction.

"But... won't it hurt her?"

"That's what concerns me," Van Helsing said. "If she loses too much blood, she might get sick... or worse."

Arene turned to them.

"I already said would do it no matter what the risk. I won't leave them like this... I would rather die than leave them like this."

Gabriel smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"You do have courage." He turned to Nicola.

"Are you ready?"

Nicola nodded and Van Helsing picked up the dagger.

"Alright then, hand me your wrist."

Arene did as she was told and Van Helsing quickly pulled the dagger across her skin. Arene cringed in pain as she placed her arm over the vat, letting the blood run. Van Helsing quickly added the holy water and watched it mix. As the blood flowed through each of the girls, the colour in their faces came back; they lost all trace of having wings and their teeth returned to normal. They then lay down on the floor to rest. Arene could feel herself grow very light-headed, but she didn't care. Once the last girl had fallen asleep on the floor Arene turned back to Nicola.

"Here," she said in a breathless voice as Nicola came over and Van Helsing placed the holy water on her wrist.

"Hurry before it's too late."

Nicola nodded and began to drink the blood. As she did, she could feel human life sweep through her again. She too gained the colour in her face and skin, her eyes became their normal hue and her fangs disappeared. She opened her eyes and looked at her friend.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No prob-" Arene tried to speak, but lost her footing and fell in Van Helsing's arms.

"Well done, my daughter," he said kindly.

Arene smiled.

"No one has called me that in years... Thank you."

He smiled and turned to Nicola.

"Get some sleep and we will figure out what to do in the morning."