"The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right," came a voice behind them and they all looked round to see Nicola sitting up in bed and smiling happily.

Arene gazed at her friend. She looked so much better. The wan look was gone and her cheeks had a healthy glow once more. This observation did lead to a moment of sadness though as Arene wondered if this 'transformation' was really due to the rest she had just had or whether it was due to the presence of her love. She hoped that it was not the latter as it would cause her friend all the more grief when the Count had to depart.

"Such dreams I have had!" Nicola continued in a wistful voice that made Arene blush slightly. She could well imagine what the dreams entailed since it was the Count who gave them to her. She glanced across at Dracula and gave a start as she saw him looking at her, a smirk on his handsome face. "Damn this blood-bond thing," she thought angrily as she turned away.

"What is going on?" Nicola asked happily as she left the bed and came over to join them.

"The Count has just been telling us his plan," explained Carl when no one else spoke. He shook his head slightly at the look of pride on Nicola's face after this announcement. When this was over he would have to have a chat with her about this bizarre 'interest' in the undead.

"We begin tonight, my dear," Dracula elaborated as he stood and went to her side, wrapping his arms around her.

"It's only two hours till sunset," gasped Carl suddenly," we had better start our preparations.

Gabriel was pleased for an excuse to be out of the room. He found the vampire's presence infuriating and he wanted him gone as soon as possible. He was also beginning to worry more and more about this bond the monster had with his daughter. He had been more than relieved when Nicola had woken and joined in that conversation; it had broken up whatever had been going on between the Count and Arene. He was being foolish, he thought suddenly. He knew Arene had no interest in Dracula. The vampire was just playing with him. He got up and followed Carl to the door.

"Arene, are you coming to help?" he asked as he went. He wanted to keep her away from Dracula as much as possible.

"I'm just coming," replied Arene as he disappeared through the doorway. She was just turning to go when Nicola spoke.

"Arene....I just wanted to say....I mean I don't think I've said 'thank you'....for what you did...bringing my lord here and...everything."

"That's OK," Arene returned though her heart was far from light. "It will all be over soon!"

This said she headed off after Van Helsing and Carl without glancing once at Dracula.

"My lord," questioned Nicola cautiously after she had gone," you don't intend to hurt her in anyway to get at Gabriel do you?"

"No," he said softly as he looked down at her worried face, "not if you do not wish it."

Nicola smiled at him, her fears assuaged.

"Can you still read my mind at all?" she asked.

Dracula nodded then looked thoughtfully at her as he assessed what she was feeling and thinking. He let out a laugh then and pulled her close to him.

"I see you have not changed, my dear," he declared as he claimed her lips.

"Ah there you are!" a voice echoed round the corridor as Van Helsing and the others reached the library door.

Van Helsing let out an audible sigh as he turned to face the Cardinal.

"I am worried by the reports I've been hearing. Strange occult disturbances, Arene with blood all over her....We are not pleased."

"Well you see Cardinal," said Van Helsing with venom in his voice, "we have another 'guest' with us for a while."

"Another guest?" asked the Cardinal, a hint of warning in his voice. "Who is this guest?"

"Well it's Dracula actually," Carl said quickly.

"He is also attacking the young woman?" questioned the Cardinal with concern.

"Not exactly," continued Carl as he tried to think of the best way to phrase it. "You see...he's been brought back and...well just for a short time you understand....and he's going to help us."