All was set up in the room. Carl had told Nicola to lie down on one of the large tables in the library, which was clear of books for once, and around her he had placed various candles and religious symbols. She held a cross in her hands against her chest.

Van Helsing and Arene stood nearby, also holding candles.

Carl looked down at Nicola and spotted the necklace Arene had given her.

"Ah my goddaughter gave you that didn't she," he asked softly. "Good - it has many protective properties. What is the other one you wear?"

He was trying to make some small talk before they started to relax her and he did not realise the effect his question would have.

"It was a gift," she whispered as a single tear left her eye, "from someone dear to me."

"From Dracula," asked Van Helsing. He had heard the exchange between them despite how quietly they had spoken. As a hunter he had developed excellent hearing abilities.

Nicola nodded and Carl looked shocked for a moment but he mastered it and attempted to salvage the situation.

"Well love is powerful too of course," he stated as he reached for a nearby book. "Shall we make a start then?"

He opened the book to a page towards the middle and cleared his throat. He then started to chant in Latin. As he did so a gust of wind swept round the room throwing various papers from their places. Carl looked up in surprise but continued reading.

A terrible wailing noise was heard then three figures began to materialise in the room near Nicola. They became more and more solid in form till Dracula's three brides were standing there with looks of rage on their faces.

"Carl," Van Helsing warned.

"I know, I know," replied the friar desperately as he all but yelled the words written in front of him.

Arene went to run forward to Nicola but her father held her back.

"Not yet," he said urgently, "be patient!"

Arene looked despairingly at Gabriel. Something was wrong here she just knew it. The brides should be getting weaker as Carl continued but they appeared to be getting stronger.

Her suspicions were confirmed as Marishka moved forward towards Nicola and lifted her head up by the hair before biting savagely into her throat. Nicola seemed to have gone into some kind of stupor and made no reaction.

"Carl!" yelled Van Helsing again as he ran forward, Arene at his side. He pulled a cross from his duster and held it out in front of him. As they reached Marishka she shunned away from the cross and Van Helsing was able to gather Nicola in his arms and lift her away from the table. All three brides screamed in fury and disappeared in a world wind of paper.

The room returned to normal as the last few papers fluttered to the ground. Carl slammed the book shut and ran over to the others.

"I don't understand it," the friar cried as he dropped to his knees next to the others," the liturgies had no effect but they are still repelled by the cross. It makes no sense."

"I think we can agree that this is no normal haunting or possession," answered Van Helsing as he turned his attention to Nicola.

He shook her gently and she opened her eyes, blinking and looking round her.

"Are you OK?" Arene and Carl prompted at the same time.

"I think so," said Nicola slowly, "but my back hurts. What happened?"

"I'm not quite sure," Carl stated seriously, exchanging a look at Van Helsing, "but do you mind if I take a look at your back?"

Nicola started to sit up and Arene moved to help her as Carl lift her top up. There on her back the words were still emblazoned but this time they were clearer.

"Můžu vratit," read Carl and Nicola looked round at him.

"I can return?" questioned Nicola. "Why do you say that? I used to speak Czech with my lord," she mused.

"None of them touched her back," Van Helsing said quickly, "so what is doing that and what does it mean 'I can return'? The brides must mean something by it!"

"Will you please tell me what is going on!" demanded Nicola as forcefully as she could in her weakened state.

They others looked at each other then back at her. No one seemed willing to speak first.