Dracula reached them and grabbed Marishka, ripping into her neck till the blood flooded out and glistened on the floor. She cried out in surprise and pain and Verona came to her aid. She flew at Dracula, biting into him fiercely but he wouldn't let go of Marishka and kept draining her till her body crumbled into ash at his feet. He was bleeding profusely again but the others watched on as he managed to swing Verona off his back. He lunged towards her but she was too quick and dealt him a blow that sent him crashing into the wall, breaking the stonework as he landed.

"Get up," Arene thought desperately, "get up!!"

Dracula raised himself to his feet again and he and Verona stood facing each other, with Nicola's limp form lying between them.

"I am most displeased, my bride," Dracula said slowly and with venom as Verona hissed at him and bared her fangs.

She ran at him but he side stepped and his fist wrapped around her throat. He bit into her neck all the while she beat against him, digging her long nails into his flesh. Finally it was over though. With a look of anger on her face her body shattered and the ashes were scattered by the winds, which then died down. The lights flickered and came back on and all looked as it had before except for the blood that flooded the floor and the damaged wall.

Nicola sat up suddenly with a gasp and looked around her.

"Where is my lord," she asked urgently and Arene was sadly reminded of "Romeo and Juliet" since the Count lay behind her friend. Even at a distance she could tell things weren't good.

The three of them rushed over to the two figures on the floor. Dracula had transformed back to his human form but he was not in good shape. The wound at his neck was severe and there was so much blood that Arene felt ill. She then saw what Verona had done before her demise. A ragged hole was apparent in the Count's chest where she had used her nails to slice into him.

The wail Nicola let out on seeing him was the most terrible thing that Arene had ever heard and even Van Helsing couldn't help but pity Nicola. He felt bad for Dracula too, despite his great hatred for him.

"There, there, my bride," Dracula said. "You knew I had to go anyway."

His voice startled them since they had all thought he was dead.

"I am glad to see you safe - do not mourn me," he continued.

With his last ounce of strength he reached up and brush the tears from her cheek.

"Vím, že jsi se mnou," he whispered as his hand fell and his eyes closed.

"Goodnight sweet prince," sobbed Nicola, "may flights of angels wing thee to thy rest."

Gabriel wasn't really sure this was appropriate for a vampire but held his tongue as he watched the sad scene.

Nicola collapsed onto his lifeless body and cried as she had never cried before. Arene wanted to go and comfort her but Carl motioned for her to stay put. He knew that the young woman needed a moment to herself.

Her tears ran down from her cheeks and fell onto the Count's wounded chest. Then something unbelievable happened.