The Count's eyes burned with a red glow as he sank his fangs into Aleera's skin. Arene cringed and turned away. For her, hunting a monster, no matter how evil, was easier than killing one. Aleera let out an inhumane shriek and her sisters turned to her. Sensing their master was no longer there to help them... but to kill them... they screeched out and transformed into their bat forms. Verona glared at Van Helsing.

"This is not over!" she hissed and she and Marishka seemed to disappear into the darkness. Carl ran over to Nicola and quickly shook her out of the trance. She moaned slightly, but when she saw Carl she quickly relaxed.

"Did we do it?" she asked, concerned for Arene.

Carl nodded and looked in the Count's direction. It was an horrific sight to see Aleera drained of her last remembrance of life and her body turned to dust. Arene stared at the pile of dust and made the sign of the cross, her eyes blinking back tears. She didn't want anyone to think she was weak by crying... especially her father.

Van Helsing saw Aleera turn to ash and rushed over to his daughter.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" he asked, looking her over.

Arene shook her head.

"No," she said softly, "he didn't hurt me."

Van Helsing nodded and quickly wrapped his arms around his daughter, stroking her hair.

"I was so afraid...."

Nicola ran to her master and fell into his arms at once, kissing him passionately. He enveloped her in his cloak, returning the kiss.

"Oh, my Lord." she breathed, "I was so afraid for you....so afraid..."

"Don't worry, my little bird, she will never harm you again," he whispered, stroking her face.

Arene turned to her friend and nodded.

"Nicola, are you okay?"

Nicola nodded back.

"Yes... thank you so much." Nicola watched as the Count released her for a moment and Arene ran to her, wrapping her arms around her friend.

"Oh, Nicola..." she said, hugging her friend tightly, "I'm so glad you are alright! I was so afraid they would hurt you. You're such a wonderful friend, I could not lose you!"

Nicola looked down at the younger woman and smiled.

"Thank you, mon cherie, from the deepest place in my heart, thank you."

The three men watched as the two ladies embraced and smiled. There really was something special between them, like long lost sisters. They finally pulled apart and looked at the others. Arene ran her fingers through her hair as she rested her gaze on Van Helsing.

"So what's the next battle plan?" she asked him noting Carl's look of confusion.

"'Next one?" he asked. "What happened to this one?"

"It worked alright," Arene said, looking in his direction, "but we are gonna need another one."

"Another one?" Carl asked, completely lost. Van Helsing put his hand on the friar's shoulder.

"She's right," he began. "We can not use the same plan on the other two, not now that they have figured it out. It would be far too dangerous for all of us. We will have to come up with a new plan and soon."