Nicola remained in her lords' arms, feeling the love she had felt when she had first been his. She knew that he loved her and he would save her from the other brides. She looked up at him.

"How were you able to return, my lord?" she asked, wanting to know how this miracle had happened.

Dracula smiled but there was a hint of malice in his eyes.

"With the help of your dear friend. Her blood will keep me alive until the others are gone. Then I must return."

"Must you?" Nicola asked. "Can you not stay?"

He smiled and twisted a strand of her hair in his fingers.

"No, my love, I cannot. For when Arene sends me back, I will have to return and the blood-bond will be broken forever."

"Then it is not permanent?" Nicola questioned.

"No," the count said, "and I would think she would not want it that way."

Nicola felt a twinge of concern.

"Will she be forgiven?"

"By God?" Dracula asked as a few lights blew out in the room. "Yes, for she did it to save you."

"I meant by Gabriel."

Van Helsing knelt by his daughter's side and crossed himself as he looked up at the altar.

The two of them stayed that way in silence for a moment as Carl watched anxiously from the doorway.

"It was a brave thing that you did," Gabriel said at last as he turned to Arene.

She rested her tear-stained eyes on him, not daring to speak till she knew how things stood between them.

"I do not approve," he continued, "but you did it for the right reasons and now that it has come to pass we may as well make the best of it. The creature may prove useful after all."

"Thank you father," cried Arene as she flung her arms around his neck. He had forgiven her and that was all that mattered.

In the doorway, Carl felt tears spring involuntarily to his eyes as he watched the scene play out before him.

"But I need you to promise me," Van Helsing continued, "that despite Nicola's wishes, which I can already guess at, you will not allow him to remain after the brides are gone."

"You have my word," responded Arene. She cared deeply for her friend but in this respect she would be firm. The Count could not stay longer than necessary in this world.

Sensing the moment was right Carl went to join them and the three embraced each other in love and forgiveness.

"Now," said Van Helsing finally," let us go and have a word with our newly arrived 'associate'.