"I've seen it before..." Arene whispered, "I..."

She closed her eyes. She seemed to remember a man... when she was not yet five months old. The man was smiling at her... holding her... that ring... on his hand...

Arene opened her eyes and tears seemed to sparkle within them. She turned her head away, not letting Nicola or Dracula see her tears. She had very few memories from her past. True, she had known and loved her family, but they were all strangers to her. Never telling her anything about themselves. She was so young when they died...

Nicola looked at her friend. "Are you all right, Cherie?" she asked kindly.

Arene wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at her friend, "Yes, Nicola, I'm okay."

Dracula smiled, all was going according to plan. He had both girls exactly where he wanted them. He could make Nicola his and Arene would be too heartbroken to do anything about it! He turned his attention back to Nicola.

"Some more wine, my dear?" he asked, pouring a little more liquid into the glass.

She nodded. "Thank you, my lord." She took another drink. Suddenly, something felt different, she felt more alive.... only dead...

It was time the Count thought as he looked at her, seeing a change start to go through her. He stood abruptly and held out his hand to her. She took it and he led her round till they stood next to Arene's chair. The young girl was regarding them anxiously. Good! He gestured to Nicola that she should move closer and then, with a look at Arene, he bit into her neck

Arene jumped up from the chair and grabbed his arm trying to pry him away from her friend but he was too strong. He flung his arm out then, sending her flying backwards several metres where she fell to the floor. As she looked up she saw that the Count had stepped back from her friend but what happened next made her cry tears of true anguish.

Nicola's head was spinning slightly. She watched with mixed feelings of joy and fear as the Count opened his shirt was drew his nail across his chest a short way. She stared at the deep red blood that glistened there a moment before running down. She heard his voice in her head. "Drink and we will be together forever." She hesitated no longer but leant in and caught the trail of blood with her tongue, pressing her mouth against the wound. Something akin to an electric shock passed through her as the blood filled her mouth. All other thoughts went away. The room disappeared and all that was left was her and her lord and the blood bond they shared.

Arene looked on in despair. She knew well enough what was going on now but she felt powerless to stop it. Some instinct inside her told her to bide her time. She would find a way to set things right but this was not the moment. Still the tears came though as she wept for her new friend.

The Count finally pushed Nicola away and she collapsed onto the floor. Arene sped forward to her as the Count moved off a few paces. The wound on his chest healed instantly and he began to rearrange his shirt, restoring himself to his usual immaculate appearance. He watched as the younger girl rushed to his bride and smiled. She was his now. Two heartbeats had been heard in the room earlier in the evening. Now there was only one!

"I wouldn't get too close if I were you," the Count warned Arene with a pleasant smile. All he got in return was a fierce glare.

Arene shook her friend's shoulder gently, trying to wake her from her swoon.

"Nicola, Nicola, it's me. Please wake up!"

Just then Nicola's eyes shot open, shining bright blue. She sat up and grabbed hold of Arene.