Gabriel didn't need to turn around to know who had spoken, but he did so anyway.
"Vladislaus," he said coldly.
It was indeed. Dracula's face was twisted into a cruel smile, his shiny hair pulled back neatly. He was dressed in his usual attire, the only new item being a long, thick cloak of heavy black velvet. He parted his lips slightly to reveal his fangs.
"You're dead," Gabriel whispered. He felt Carl's hand, drenched in cold sweat, grab his own and cling onto it tightly.
"I know," came the vindictive reply, as Dracula's smirk widened. "Shame, that, hmm?"
"I damned your soul to hell!" Gabriel said through clenched teeth.
"It was a waste of your time, Gabriel, and frankly a waste of mine too," Dracula said coolly. "It seems the Devil does not wish for me to reside there."
"And so hell spat you back out!" a small, trembling yet angry voice from behind Van Helsing snarled.
"Ah, Carl," Dracula smiled, peering behind Gabriel. "Hiding behind your boyfriend, are you?"
For some reason, Gabriel felt colour rushing to his cheeks. It wasn't that he was ashamed of Carl, nothing like that at all, but their relationship had seemed like a sweet, beautiful secret, and his arch-enemy suddenly announcing it as though it was the most disgusting and sick thing he had ever heard angered Gabriel.
"Shut up," he muttered angrily.
Dracula cackled. "What are you going to do, Gabriel?"
Gabriel suddenly threw his fist at the vampire, hooking him in the jaw. Dracula staggered back, hissing, black blood running from his mouth.
"That," Gabriel said.
Dracula cackled lightly. "You really don't get it, do you, Gabriel? I can't feel pain. I can't feel anything."
"What do you want here?" Gabriel asked.
"Revenge," Dracula snarled. "Once and for all, I will rid this earth of your scum!"
His eyes glowed red as he said this, and he grabbed Gabriel's shoulders and tossed him across the room as though he was no heavier than a bag of sugar. Gabriel crashed into the dresser.
Carl stared fearfully at the vampire who was edging closer to his bed, a wicked grin on his face. He slowly extended his hand. "Come with me, Carl."
Carl whimpered in response, and scrabbled back, up against the wall.
"I will not harm you," Dracula purred.
Gabriel's hand grabbed the vampire's wrist, and both Carl and Dracula turned to see him standing angrily, eyes narrowed and blazing with anger, a deep, bloody gash on one side of his face from where he had hit the dresser.
"You're not taking him anywhere," he scowled.
Dracula seemed to consider this, his mouth falling into a thoughtful pout. "I will take you, in his place, then," he said finally.
"No!" Carl shouted from his spot huddled against the wall.
But Gabriel wasn't listening to him. He nodded slightly. "I love you, Carl."
"Gabriel, no," Carl whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.
Dracula smiled. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a handkerchief which was dripping with some clear liquid. He pressed it to Gabriel's face, covering his mouth and nose. Carl watched in horror as Gabriel's eyes widened, then closed as he fell unconscious into Dracula's arms. Dracula grinned evilly at Carl, then jumped out of the window, still clutching Gabriel. He rose again a few seconds later, now in his foul bat-like form, and Carl ran to the window, tears mingling with the sweat running down his face as he stared after Dracula, carrying the only person the friar had ever loved away from him.
Carl knew what he had to do.