Arene started back then blinked. She regained her composure quickly though and nodded to the figure reflected in the glass.

"Good evening, Count."

"Arene, my dear, how lovely to see you again," Dracula replied sweetly but with an evil smile.

"Enough with the pleasantries Count," she said boldly. "I take it your presence here is because of Nicola?"

"Truly - why else would I be here," he answered.

"Can you really help her?" she questioned quickly.

"Yes I can but not in my present state," he replied. "My brides have a vendetta and that gives them strength but it takes all my power to appear to you like this. For me to help Nicola you will have to help me."

"No games Count," Arene countered. "If I was to bring you back it would be temporary only. I will not have you running free around the world again."

"Gabriel does not approve of this does he?" Dracula asked innocently. "He doesn't know his precious daughter is here talking to me. How angry he'd be if he knew! It is so kind of you to care about me though, my dear; to come and talk to me..."

"Shut up," Arene interrupted, "this has nothing to do with you and I. It is Nicola I care about...and I am NOT your 'dear'"

Dracula was silent for a moment and he looked at her thoughtfully.

"Very well, I accept your terms," he said at last.

"Then tell me what I need to do," Arene ordered.

Nicola, Van Helsing and Carl ran down the corridor to Arene's room. Nicola's mind was full of conflicting thoughts and feelings. On the one hand she was worried for her friend and was angry with herself for coming her and bringing these things upon them all but at the same time the idea that her friend might bring about the return of her lord was inviting.

Nicola reached the room first with Van Helsing at her side. She swung the door open and then stopped in shock as she surveyed the scene inside.

Arene sat in a circle of candles, a bloodstained knife lay at her side and a nasty wound on her left forearm was oozing blood. She turned as the door opened and blood markings could be seen on her face.

"Arene!" cried Van Helsing, pushing past Nicola into the room. "What have you done?"

"What I had to do," said Arene, a look of peace on her face which contrasted starkly with the scene around her.

"But how did you know what to do?" Carl asked as he and Nicola stepped into the room.

All three of them moved close to Arene as she stood up and grabbed a nearby scarf which she wrapped tightly around her wounded arm.

"Did Dracula tell you somehow?" Carl continued.

"Correct," said a familiar voice behind them and they all spun round.

Dracula surveyed with no small amusement the various responses to his appearance. Arene was standing there proudly, that young friar just looked shocked, while Van Helsing looked ready to murder him. "No change there then," he thought dryly. Then there was his bride. He would come to her in a moment.

"Hello Gabriel," he said mockingly, "how have you been since you murdered me...again?"