Arene didn't like this at all. She wished Nicola had never taken a drink from the goblet. Whatever she was drinking was obviously not poisoned... but there was something in it. Her hunger continued to grow as she looked at the food set before her and she reached out for a piece of fruit, but pulled her hand back at once. The Count smiled.

"You will grow unwell if you do not eat something, my dear," he said. "Please... take your fill."

"I... I told you I wasn't hungry," Arene said in a soft voice, turning her eyes away.

"So stubborn," he hissed, his smile growing. "It... HE... runs in your veins."

She knew he was tempting her and said nothing.

The Count would not let her off that easily, his hands reached across the table and gently grasped each girls hand. Arene pulled away at once... but Nicola kept her hand in his and turned her eyes to him. The deep red liquid on her lips still shone and Arene could swear that it looked like... blood. Dracula was up to something. He obviously did not want them dead... not yet.

"What do you want from us?" Arene whispered as his eyes bore into hers. A smile came to the edge of his lips.

"Something that you will both give me before the night is over." He rose from his seat and motioned for both girls to do the same, which they did. "Perhaps you lovely young ladies would like to see more of my castle?" he asked as he offered his arm to Nicola.

Nicola nodded, wanting to be closer to him more and more. "I'd love to," she said, taking his arm and looking deeply into his eyes. Dracula smiled at her and kissed her delicately on the lips. Arene cringed.

"Is that jealousy running in your blood, Arene?" he asked, his eyes turned to her.

"Never!" Arene spat. At that moment, she knew that Dracula wanted something from Nicola. He obviously wanted her.... in more ways than one. As much as she hated it, she knew she would have to follow him, if nothing more than to protect Nicola. Taking a deep breath and crossing herself, she followed Nicola and Dracula out of the room. Nicola looked at her friend and touched her arm slightly.

"Don't be afraid, he won't hurt you," she whispered.

"Don't worry," Arene thought as she nodded to her friend, "I don't think that's what he wants to do to me.

Arene walked behind the pair, watching Dracula closely. If he tried anything with Nicola she'd be on him. She nervously fingered the crucifix in her pocket. This part of the castle must contain Dracula's living quarters she decided. It was less eerie than the dungeon area and seemed richly decorated. The thing that worried her now though was that he had led them through so many corridors that she had no sense of where exactly in the castle she was. What she needed to know was the position of the front door.

Dracula carelessly dipped into the thoughts of the girl behind him and a sinister smile lit his face. So like her father! Not for much longer though. He turned his attention to the woman who held his arm, studying her carefully. She was not obviously beautiful as his last brides had been but she had potential. She could be moulded and improved with a little care and she did have a fine spirit. She was not weak yet he knew that she would submit to him out of love. Oh yes her feelings for him were mainly still unaccepted but they were there. She was drawn to him in many ways. A physical attraction but also an attraction to what he was. She wanted to escape from the pain of living.

Nicola looked about her happily. This part of the castle was such a contrast to the other. It was so beautiful and mysterious, much like their host. She stole a glance at Dracula but turned away quickly as she realised he was watching her. She felt him stop walking and she stopped too, aware of Arene standing just behind them. She looked up into his face and saw his eyes on her, watching as they moved down towards her exposed neck. She gulped reflexively and unconsciously her hand moved to her neck. Instead of attacking her though he leant in for a kiss. She was taken aback at first but relaxed into it, enjoying the feeling of euphoria that swept over her. Just then there was a stab of pain though as he bit into her lips, drawing blood. At that moment though she almost fell as he let go of her and jumped back, scowling.

Seeing what he was up to Arene had grasped the crucifix firmly and stepped towards the pair, holding it out in front of her. She was pleased to see the Count release her friend and recoil slightly. She stepped in front of Nicola still holding out her amulet.