When they arrived at the door to her room Arene paused.

"We'd better knock," she declared quietly. The last thing any of them would want would be to walk in on the two of them sharing an 'intimate moment'.

She rapped twice and was surprised when the Count opened the door and raised a finger to his lips to motion for quiet. They entered the room and saw why.

Nicola lay sleeping on the bed. She looked so peaceful and a light smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"But what if the brides come?" questioned Carl in a low voice.

"My poor child is exhausted," the Count explained, "and have no fear about my other brides. I have put a sleep upon her with such dreams that they will not dare come."

None of them were quite sure how to take this news and neither did they dare to ask what sort of dreams. They had seen the look on the Count's face as he said it and were in little doubt as to their content.

"Our conversation will not disturb her if we keep our voices low," the Count continued, "so do let us sit." This said he rested on the edge of the bed and let his hand play in Nicola's hair, which lay spread about her where she lay.

Gabriel was confused. The monster seemed to show actual signs of caring and that bothered him.

"Ah yes, you think me devoid of all decency don't you Gabriel," said the Count, anticipating the other man's feelings.

It was a statement not a question and Gabriel did not feel the need to respond.

"Count," Arene said quickly to discharge the tension building in the room," do you have any sort of plan?"

"Indeed I do, my bonded one," he said, enjoying Gabriel's discomfort, "but it will take some time."

"No tricks!" Arene warned. "Do not think to lengthen your stay here through games."

"I had no such intention," Dracula returned in mock horror, "all I mean is that we cannot deal with them all at once. We must draw them out one at a time. It will be safer that way."

"Safer for whom?" questioned Gabriel warily.

"For my bride of course," snapped Dracula. "You begin to try my patience Gabriel."

He had stood and was moving menacingly towards the Knight who stood his ground with a look of scorn on his face.

Arene imposed herself between them, hands on her hips as she glared at them both in turn.

"I want none of that!" she exclaimed. "You will have to learn to get along - it isn't for long but I need you to co-operate...for Nicola's sake."

The two men stared at each other for a moment then Van Helsing inclined his head and took a step back and Dracula did the same, bowing regally to Arene.

"So," continued Arene," what is the plan?"