Van Helsing and Carl pulled up outside the grand house and hurried to the front door, ringing the bell. Moments later a smartly dressed butler appeared and ushered them into a large parlour at the front of the house. It was beautifully decorated in the 18th century style but neither man was in the right frame of mind to appreciate this. Just seconds passed before the door opened again and Vladislaus and Nicola hurried in. Nicola looked pale and ran to hug each of her visitors in turn. Vladislaus was calm get subdued as he shook hands with the two men.
"This is a terrible situation," the Count said at last, "but my bride and I are willing to help you in any way we can. We must help Arene!"
"Good – I appreciate that," Gabriel answered quietly. "There is no plan as such yet except that we get to London as soon as possible and find Jekyll. I have horses ready…" he broke off seeing Dracula shake his head.
"There is a faster way," the former vampire declared. "I have already arranged for a private jet. My bride has packed and we can leave within the hour once you have had something to eat."
"A private jet?" asked Carl incredulously.
Dracula bowed slightly. "I am a lord after all – I can afford it. Plus my bride likes to travel in comfort."
He put his arm round her and held her tightly too him. "But come – there is a meal ready for you in the main dining room. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can be on our way and help you child."
Nicola led the way out and Van Helsing followed. Vladislaus went to leave to but was stopped by Carl's hand on his arm. He looked at the friar with an inquisitive expression.
"May I ask you something?" the young man ventured.
"Anything!" replied the Count, spreading his hands.
"Why do you still her call her bride?"
Dracula thought for a moment, a wistful expression on his face. "I don't know," he said at last, "force of habit maybe…or perhaps because she reminds me of a time when things were different. She was my bride before she became my wife after all. Call it a mark of affection if you will."
Carl nodded and followed Dracula as he turned and led the way to the dining room. As they went through the hallway Carl saw a number of bags already piled up by the door. What on earth was the Count taking with him, he wondered. Just then they arrived at the table though and Carl's reverie was interrupted as he fell upon the lavish banquet that had been prepared for them.
The dinning room was well furnished and beautifully decorated. Food was spread out all over the large table; it could have fed at least a hundred people. Carl licked his lips slightly. The little friar had always had something of a big appetite and decided to help himself. Nicola sat beside him and her husband sat at the head. Van Helsing sat on Dracula's side. Before long they were all eating and talking softly amongst one another. Dracula was eating quite pleasantly when he looked over at Van Helsing. The hunter had barely touched his meal and had hardly said a word to anyone. The Count gave him a knowing look.
"I know you are scared, my friend," he said gently, "but Arene is a strong child, she has faced death before and she will survive again."
Van Helsing closed his eyes. "Those times death came as a figure, she has never faced death from the inside." Van Helsing sighed. He knew how strong his daughter was in the face of danger and she was a good fighter. But she had never had anything like this happen to her. Jekyll would pay for what he had done. Dracula touched his arm.
"He will pay for his sins," Dracula told Van Helsing. Gabriel looked at him, could he still read thoughts? Dracula smiled.
"Only very little, it comes and goes."
Nicola smiled. "That's how our bond is so strong." Dracula kissed her on her cheek.
"It is the most phenomenal thing in the word to have a bond with the most amazing woman in the world," he whispered as the two shared a compassionate kiss that made both Gabriel and Carl smile.
Carl looked at them, a question popped into his mind.
"How is it that Van Helsing and I don't have a bond with Arene or with each other?" he asked.
Dracula smiled at the friar. "You love Arene, don't you?"
Carl nodded. "With all my heart," he said sincerely.
Dracula smiled, nodded and turned to Gabriel. He didn't even have to ask. Gabriel looked at his friend.
"More than life itself," he said with all his heart and soul.
"Then you both have your bond with her, it may not be as obvious now, but it will be soon and you certainly have a bond with one another, I can tell. She helped bring that. You three have a very strong connection and it will only get stronger. Especially you, Gabriel." He smiled at his friend. "Your bond with her can only grow, till one day it will be stronger than anything you have ever felt."
Nicola nodded. "It's like when Arene and I first met, she's my best friend and she will always be in my heart. I can feel what she is going through, just like she can feel me. That's the miracle of love; even in the deepest pain it will pull through in the end."
Van Helsing wasn't exactly sure what his friends meant, nor Carl, but they smiled at each other and then back at their dear friends. They continued to eat till they had all eaten their fill and started to head out. They collected their baggage and started to head out.
"Why all the bags?" Carl asked.
The Count simply gave him a very sly smile. "You never know when something might come in handy."
Carl blinked but nodded. They grabbed the rest of there bags and headed out the door.