Carl led Nicola to a chair in the centre of the room and pulled a pocket watch out of his pocket. As he did so laughter filled the room.

When the Count had managed to get his outburst under control he walked towards them, amused as Carl as he started backwards.

"There is an easier way," the vampire explained as he turned to his bride.

Dracula stared deeply into her eyes then slowly passed his hand across her face. As he withdrew his hand everyone saw that her eyes had closed and she was breathing deeply.

"But how..."Arene began, you do that to anyone?"

"In the past I could have done it to anyone weak willed but my powers are not what they were. Nicola is a separate case though...she is happy for me to control her."

Carl bristled at this and was rewarded by a smirk from the Count.

"Well, it seems our little friar here is having some ungodly urges towards MY bride," he said with a laugh.

"Not at all," cried Carl in shock, "I think of her as a daughter, like Arene!"

"Count!" warned Arene as she stepped towards them.

"Very well," Dracula said relenting, "but I was only playing with him."

Just then a wind began to blow in the room and Carl wished he had had the foresight to weigh down all the scrolls and papers that were now flying around their heads. Too late now.

"They're coming, everyone get ready," yelled Gabriel over the noise.

He and Carl stationed themselves near to Nicola's chair and Dracula and Arene stood a little way off, facing them. As the reached there positions the Brides began to appear. They were no more than faint outlines at first but soon they became more solid as they moved menacingly towards Nicola. It was time.

"Aleera!" called the Count and was pleased to see the woman turned round and look at him in surprise.

The other two seemed oblivious to their master's presence and kept their attention on their prey but Aleera was distracted without a doubt.

"My lord, you have return to me," she exclaimed triumphantly.

A moment later this triumph changed to despair and then to anger though.

Once he was sure she was watching Dracula pulled Arene close to him and kissed her passionately.

Arene struggled for a moment has she hadn't been ready for it but she soon relaxed into the kiss. This was to help her friend after all and she felt nothing for this man who held her so tightly in his arms.

Gabriel was dismayed as he saw the two of them but he tried to put it from his mind. He had work to do. The brides were attacking Nicola and he had to stop them. He and Carl grabbed crosses and bottles of holy water and leapt at the two remaining brides, forcing them back from their victim. They howled with rage but retreated. Gabriel allowed himself a glance behind and saw that Dracula has released his daughter. Relieved he pressed forward.

Aleera screamed and ran at Arene as Dracula released the girl, pushing her violently aside.

Arene fell to the ground and looked up to see Aleera charging at her. The bride never reached her though as her master grabbed hold of her and yanked her back towards him.