Both men looked to find that Gabriel had ran from the room, tears pouring down his face, back down the hall to Arene's room and opened the door. His daughter lay on the bed, looking worse than ever. Her fingers gripped the bedclothes and sweat trickled down her cheeks. There was no colour in her face and she appeared lifeless and suffering. He came to her side and ran his hand over her face. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Father..." she whispered, happy to see the one who loved her there beside her. Treating her as though she were a delicate china doll about to break, he wrapped her in his arms. Carl and the Cardinal came into the room. Carl's eyes welled up with tears as he sat beside Van Helsing and stroked Arene's hair.

"But... I thought he would have helped..."

"No Carl," Van Helsing whispered, "he was killing her... this whole time... oh, God, what have I done?" He held the girl closer to his chest. Carl felt the sadness pile up within him when, suddenly, something caught his eye.

"What's this?" he asked, reaching for the parchment on Arene's pillow.

Van Helsing picked up the parchment and read silently before turning and rushing out the door, dropping the sheet of paper on the way.

Carl and the Cardinal moved in and picked up the letter, glancing at its contents.

Van Helsing

You will regret what you did to me all those years ago. I am back and your daughter will pay the price. What are you willing to do for your child? There is an antidote to the poison I've administered. I estimate she has 7 days to live.

What do you do Mr Van Helsing?

Your old friend

Dr Henry Jekyll (MD)

"We have to go to London! Now!" exclaimed Van Helsing as he marched back into the room, tossing a back at Carl's feet.

Carl didn't have time to answer as the Cardinal got there first.

"I understand that you want to find Jekyll and I too am worried for Arene but might I suggest a detour first?" the older man asked thoughtfully.

"A detour! That's ridiculous! There's no time!" Gabriel declared, exasperated.

"Where to?" asked Carl quickly before the Knight said anything he might later regret.

"Budapest," said the Cardinal evenly.

"What's at Budapest?" Carl questioned.

"Rather ask who is at Budapest," the Cardinal responded.

"Who? But…oh!" said Carl as realisation dawned on him. "What could they do though? Is it right to even involve them?"

"You mean Nicola and Vladislaus don't you," Gabriel asked as he finally understood what was being suggested.

"Yes," the Cardinal confirmed, answering Gabriel first before turning back to Carl. "As to involving them – I think Nicola would want to know about her friend. They've been through a lot together. You ask what use they would be – I think they might surprise you!"

With this he turned and exited the room leaving the two younger men alone.

"Uh, Van Helsing?" ventured Carl after a moment. "Do we take Arene with us?" He glanced at the wasted figure on the bed then looked back to Gabriel.

Van Helsing shook his head. "No – she's too weak. We will have to leave her here till we sort out this antidote…" His voice trailed off as emotion overcame him. Then he cleared throat and continued. "Come, there's not a moment to lose – let's go!"

"Where exactly?" asked Carl nervously, watching as the hunter bent and kissed Arene gently.

"Budapest," replied Van Helsing as he hoisted his bag on his shoulder and headed out the door, followed by Carl.