"Why you unholy monster!" Van Helsing responded with barely concealed rage, "how dare you use my daughter in such a way!"

"I think you'll find it was her using me," the Count replied calmly. "She asked me to tell her how to restore me after all!"

He ignored Gabriel then and turned his attention to Carl as he moved towards him.

Carl had had no direct contact with the vampire before and wasn't keen on starting now. He backed away as the Count advanced.

"What - no greeting?" Dracula asked in mock dismay as the man retreated.

"Count!" warned Arene firmly.

Dracula sighed but moved back away from the friar and let his gaze rest on his bride as he opened his arms to her.

Nicola had followed the various exchanges in a state of confusion. At first she hadn't believed it was real but then when she did accept that her lord was really there she grew anxious that he was ignoring her. Did he blame her for his demise? Did he no longer care for her? These thoughts fled from her mind though as she lost herself in his embrace. This was where she truly belonged. The only place she'd ever felt at home and at peace was in his arms. She looked up at him as tears formed in her eyes.

"There, there, my bride," he said, stroking her hair, "do not worry. I am here to take care of you now."

"I am still your bride then?" she asked anxiously.

"You are mine always; my favourite bride," he answered.

"A lot of good that's done her," Van Helsing declared sarcastically. "That's the reason those other monsters are after her!"

"Indeed," the Count answered, "I am most displeased with them and they shall feel my wrath."

Van Helsing was appalled at what was happening. He couldn't decide what was worse - seeing the Count here or seeing Nicola fawning on him as if he were some great man!

Carl shared some of his friends' thoughts. He too found it hard to understand her love. In all other ways she was a pleasant young woman. Why she could care for such a creature was beyond him.

Arene's thoughts were occupied in a very different way. She realised that she needed to explain something to Nicola at once.

"Nicola," she said quietly, "you need to know that this is only temporary. Once the brides are gone Dracula will be going too."

"He certainly will," interrupted Van Helsing. "In fact he's going right now! Carl - run and find me a suitable incantation to return this 'thing' to where it came from!"

Nicola cried out in pain at this but Dracula just smiled serenely at Gabriel. Carl was almost out the door but paused and returned to the room as the Count spoke.

"That would be pointless, Gabriel," he said pleasantly, "since Arene was the one who brought me back. She did it and I am tied to her now by a blood-bond. Only she can send me back."