Nicola smiled as Arene left the room and shut the door. Nicola stood there and looked around. She felt one third happy, one third scared and one third hopeful Arene wouldn't be in trouble at dinner.

She went to a nearby mirror and surveyed her face in the glass. She looked wan and tired - but then she hadn't slept well for weeks now. She removed her poncho, wincing as the material caught on her sore skin. Her arms were red and deep scratches ran along them. Aleera had done that with her nails the previous night. She was happy to be here in Rome with her friend yet she couldn't help but feel she was imposing and disrupting the pleasant life that Arene now had here. She fingered the necklace around her neck. It had been a gift from Dracula. It was all she had to remember him by and was sacred to her. The feel of the cool metal against her fingertips was reassuring and always calmed her. Just then though she was aware of a presence behind her. Nothing appeared in the mirror but as she turned she gasped in shock.

Verona, Aleera and Marishka stood there glaring at her.

"Wake up, wake up," she said aloud as she clamped her eyes shut.

"Hello Nicola, my dear," hissed Verona as she stepped closer.

This was no dream - she was awake. Nicola felt panic overtake her. They had never appeared when she was awake before! She backed up against the wall as the three women moved in on her.

"I want first bite," declared Aleera savagely as they came closer.

All three women prepared to attack. Their eyes turned pale blue and their fangs lengthened. Nicola resigned herself to her fate. She couldn't fight off one let alone all three of them. She hoped they would finish it this time and was only sad that Arene would have to deal with her death.

Arene walked slowly back from the dining room so as not to spill the drink she was bringing for Nicola. She had some water and a plate of food that she'd managed to beg from the cook on the assertion that she had missed lunch and was hungry.

She could hear some muffled noises from behind the door and frowned as she tried to balance the tray in order to turn the handle. She managed it at last but dropped the tray as she saw what was happening in side. The sound of the shattering glass echoed round the empty corridor.

Nicola lay writhing on the floor. Her mouth was wide open but no sound came out. Her clothes were torn and as Arene watched cuts began to appear on her arms and legs and blood oozed out, staining the floor.

Arene ran to her side and grabbed her arms, trying to hold her still.

"Nicola, please...snap out of it," she screamed as tears formed in her eyes.

Just then strong arms lifted her up and out of the way and Van Helsing knelt down next to her friend. He drew a vial of holy water from a pocket in his duster and sprinkled the contents over Nicola. One final deep gash appeared on her left cheek but then she lay still. Van Helsing lifted her limp form and lay her gently on the bed before turning to his daughter.

"Arene would you like to tell me what in God's name is going on here!?"