They hurried across to Carl, amid the violent winds that swept the corridor. Dracula lay slumped against the wall, blood pouring from the cut in his neck. He was still conscious at least.

"What happened?" Van Helsing demanded.

"They are too strong, both of them together," the Count admitted reluctantly. "I cannot take them out."

"But you were their master, surely you have power over them," urged Arene urgently. She knew that her friend didn't have much time left.

"They have anger to sustain them and more importantly they have fed off Nicola several times. I have not fed at all since that small blood offering you used to bring me here."

"But what of Nicola," asked Carl in surprise, "I thought that you and her..."

"I have not drunk from her," Dracula asserted as he laboured for breath, "she had lost a lot of blood to my brides and it was too dangerous for me to take from her too."

A pitiful cry echoed round the corridor as the brides intensified their attack on the defenceless young woman.

"We have to do something," exclaimed Arene. Then suddenly she knew, without a doubt, what she had to do.

She lifted the Count's head gently and ripped at her poncho till he neck was exposed.

"Drink," she urged, "quickly!"

"No!" cried Gabriel.

"There is no other way," she said so softly that the words could barely be heard over the din. She turned back to the Count who was looking at her with a thoughtful expression.

"Do it - now!"

She gasped as the teeth pierced her skin. She could feel the blood being pulled out of her. Her body tensed as it tried to resist and she fought to keep herself relaxed. She started to feel light-headed and her eyes shut.

The Count pulled back. Her blood was so strong. He felt almost intoxicated by it. He'd managed to stop short of killing her though. He quickly passed her limp form to Van Helsing, who glared at him with complete hatred, as he stood. He adjusted his coat and moved a stray hair back into place. He felt more like his old self again. With a look of wrath he moved in on his brides, adopting his bat form.