Nicola could just barely hear the voice calling out her name. She couldn't remember anything... except her master. Dracula…yes, he was all that mattered now. And she would be with him forever. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder, the person touching her was alive... filled with sweet blood. She felt a hunger like no other consume her. She needed to feed. Her eyes snapped open, glowing a bright blue and stared into the young girl's eyes.

Arene felt a wave of relief run through her as Nicola opened her eyes. But relief soon turned into fear. She gasped as Nicola sat straight up and grabbed her tightly by the shoulders. With lighting speed, Nicola had pinned Arene tightly to the wall, leaving no way out. Arene let out a cry of pain as Nicola drove her fingernails into the younger girl's skin. Arene tried to push Nicola off her, but it did no good.

"Nicola," she rasped in pain, "Nicola... it's me, Arene. Please... don't do this. You can fight his control on you."

Nicola stopped for a moment. That name... Arene... it meant something to her. This girl…this girl was her friend! She was about to back away when she felt her master's presence around her.

"Do not dwell on old memories my love," his voice ran through her head. "You do not need them."

Dracula had watched proudly as his bride attacked Arene. Now she was his forever! Nicola was strong and beautiful... but she obeyed no one but him. Arene was strong, yes, but she was nowhere near as strong as him! She could not break the spell he had woven upon Nicola and even if she did, it would do no good. Nicola loved him; he knew it! That was not a part of the spell! Nicola would be his forever.

Arene... she knew no one by that name. This child did not mater to her in anyway! Her eyes glowed brightly with hunger. She could feel the younger girl's fear from within and the fresh blood running in her veins. Arene looked at her with frightened eyes. Nicola pulled one hand off of Arene and her fingernails came out of the girl's skin. She licked the dripping blood off her fingers. Oh, how sweet this girl tasted. Arene tried to hide her terror and failed, even so, she struggled to no effect. Dracula's laughter rang in her ears. Nicola gave the girl a smile and let her fangs grow, moving in closer for the kill.

Arene tried to move, raze her arms to try to push her friend away. But she felt weak and she could not move her arms. There was some kind of poison in Nicola's fingernails; it was causing her to lose her strength. She could feel Nicola's breath on her neck and the tips of the fangs touched her skin. Dracula's laughter fell soft and with a wave of his hand, Nicola stopped. She looked back at her Lord with a look of confusion.

"Not yet, my bride," he whispered. "Let me speak to her, then both you and I will feast on her blood. Tell me, my love, "he said smoothly, "how does her blood taste?"

"Very sweet, my Lord," Nicola said, turning back to the girl who was trying as hard as she could to fight Nicola's strength.

"Don't listen to him, Nicola!" Arene cried. "He's pure evil, you must fight him!"

Dracula laughed. "She is right, my love. However, I highly doubt that matters, does it?"

"Not at all, my Lord," Nicola whispered.

Dracula smiled and came towards the two young women. Nicola released Arene and watched as the young girl fell to the ground. She tried to stand, but Nicola grabbed her arms and held her still. Arene felt crushed up against the older girl's chest, but almost screamed when she did not feel a heart beat. Dracula knelt in front of them and looked Arene clearly in the eye.

"Perhaps it is time we continued that conversation we started, hmm? I think it's time I told you a few things about your family's sordid past." Dracula gave her a very evil smile.

"Lies!" Arene spat and turned her head away. Dracula laugh quietly and cupped her chin with his hand, turning her head slowly. Forcing her to look him in the eye he spoke.

"Do not turn away, my dear. I'm sure you will find this very interesting..." His touch, though gentle, became strong and cold. "I know I will."

He paced a little while then began. "Let me tell you something of your family, Arene Van Helsing," he said slowly.