Nicola thought quickly. This girl wanted to protect her it seemed. That was sweet but foolish. She felt that she knew the man in front of her reasonably well and she felt that other methods would work better with him. With this thought she stepped out from behind her new friend and made a low curtseyed as she had seen done in period films.
"Good evening, Count. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she declared, her voice submissive yet strong.
She moved up to the bars and extended her arm through two of them, offering her hand.
Dracula came out of the shadows and took her hand in his own, raising it to his lips and blowing gently upon it before releasing her once more. She pulled her arm back and stood there looking at him.
Arene was shocked at Nicola's actions at first but soon realised what she was doing. She guessed it probably was better than trying to fight their way out at present. The fighting could come later once they were out of this cage.
Dracula turned his gaze on Arene and gave her a penetrating look before giving a slight bow. This gesture was spoilt though by the smirk that appeared on his face.
Nicola was intrigued by this exchange and decided she should get the vampire's attention away from the young girl again as soon as possible. With this in mind she spoke once more.
"How long, may I ask, have we been your guests, my lord and how long do you intend to keep us so confined? It is not the most gentleman-like behaviour."
"You have been here two nights," the Count replied, his attention on her again. "How long you stay depends on a number of things and you presume much to think that I am in anyway a...gentleman."
"What do you want with us?" demanded Arene forcefully as she neared the bars.
"That," said the Count with another sinister smile," is for me to know and you to find out."
Arene could not help but look away as Dracula's gaze and sinister smile fell upon her. She didn't know what it was, but her heart told her that this was more than just a vampire holding two young girls up for ransom.
"You can't keep us here!" Arene spat. "Someone will find put that we're missing and come looking for us."
Dracula gave the young girl an evil look and spoke. "Oh, they will, I can be sure of it, but they will never find you. You would know my castle is hidden from sight. Let them try to find you."
Nicola knew that he was right, nobody had ever seen Dracula's fortress, let alone found it. She could tell that Arene didn't like the Count in any respect, though she didn't know why. Trying to break the tension, she came closer to him and looked him in the eye. Dracula was incredibly beautiful.
"May I ask why you chose us?" she asked, her voice form, but her tone gentle.
Dracula gave her a warm smile. "Once again, my dear, that is for me to know and you to find out. But you are both..." He eyed Arene with a look of power and revenge, "special, in your own right. I have a particular interest in you Nicola." He came closer to the bars and whispered softly. "I am looking for a new bride..."