Nicola continued to block the way but all the while she was trying to think of a way to help the girl without exposing her lord to danger. Then she hit upon it. It might just work!

She returned to her human form and moved up to Van Helsing. She silently mouthed her plan to him, hoping he could lip read. She saw him nod and continued to move closer to him. Then she leant in and kissed him.

Vladislaus released Arene and looked round aghast. What was his bride doing? He stood there in confusion for a moment as he watched her embrace his enemy. Arene slumped a little against the wall but was still conscious enough to know that she had to move. She moved away from Dracula and half ran all the way round behind Gabriel and Nicola.

Seeing her arrive Nicola released Gabriel and prepared for the blow. As his arm struck her she fell backwards only to be caught by her lord.

Arene was now safely behind Van Helsing and he had a weapon trained on Nicola as she stood in front of Dracula. It was stalemate.

"What were you thinking, my bride?" hissed Dracula harshly as he helped his bride to her feet.

"I figured it would distract him while you killed the girl then he'd be off guard and I'd be able to kill him," she said simply.

"Ah, you are so young," the Count whispered, at ease again. "Next time tell me your plans first."

"I will my lord," she answered obediently.

Gabriel meanwhile was asking Arene if she was all right.

"A bit weak," she replied quietly, "but I'm OK!"

"We need to get out of here now! I need to get you to safety," the knight continued.

"Not without Nicola," Arene asserted.

"I agree she helped us a moment ago but she's still a vampire and is still evil," Gabriel maintained, "so what is it you plan to do with her?"

"I don't know…something…" Arene said in despair.

Dracula and Nicola now stood side by side a few metres away and faced Gabriel, who kept Arene firmly behind him.

"Truly," Dracula said at last, "we seem to have an awkward situation here. One of us has to make a move Gabriel!"

"Indeed," replied the Hunter.

Still they both stood there. The tension in the air was electrifying and Nicola and Arene glanced at each other, wondering who would make the first move.

Arene looked at the man before her, not knowing what to think. It was a stalemate, both men stood there, waiting for the other to attack, who knew how long this would take. She turned her eyes back to Van Helsing and felt a smile come to her lips. This man, this man was her father and though she had never really known him till now, she loved him. And how deeply she hoped that he loved her...

Nicola could sense the girl's feelings and nodded to herself. She could understand, she too loved the man she was next to. Dracula was her master and he would always be, she knew it and he knew it. She was not about to let him be hurt in any way; she loved him too much. As she gazed at her friend, Arene nodded, understanding that they had to put their friendship aside for a little while and they had to choose a side. Nicola could not yet remember the friendship she had with this young child, but something in her heart would not let this child go.

The two men stood facing each other, neither of them even blinked, it was too dangerous. For them and for the ones they loved. Neither man could stand it if they lost the one next to them, it would be the end. Van Helsing raised his weapon and pointed it at Dracula's chest. Nicola hissed and stood in front of her master, fangs bared and eyes glowing. She would be ready to attack if he shot. Dracula smiled and stepped out behind her,

"Don't worry, my dear, Gabriel will not get the chance to kill me this time. For in a few moments, he will be dead!"