"No!" Arene screamed and ran in front of Van Helsing to protect him, "I won't let you!" Spur of the moment, she pulled a crucifix out of Van Helsing's coat pocket and threw it at Dracula. Nicola knocked it to the side and slammed into Arene. Gabriel was about to follow, but Dracula transformed into his bat form and attacked the hunter.

Nicola threw the girl on the ground and smiled as she could hear the shatter of bones. Arene let out a cry of pain as she felt her upper arm break as she hit the ground. Nicola was stronger than she thought. A small bit of blood dripped down her arm and onto the ground. Nicola dipped her fingers into it and tasted it. It tasted so...familiar. Suddenly, she could recall the girl from somewhere, as if she knew her, as if she was her... friend. She looked at the girl, slightly confused.

"Arene?" she asked.

Arene's eyes widened. How could she remember after.... She looked down at the pool of blood. That was it! Nicola could regain her memories through Arene's blood. Keeping her wounded arm close to her chest, she beckoned Nicola to come forward and beside her. She looked over to see her father fighting with Dracula. She knew what had to be done. Pulling on the sleeve of the turtle neck she was wearing, she produced her wrist.

"Drink quickly," she said softly, but urgently. "Don't worry about me, just please... drink."

As the blood washed over her tongues the memories came flooding back – waking in the cage, sitting at the dining table, the wine – oh god the wine! She remembered. She pulled back with a gasp and looked at Arene.

"Arene," she whispered, "what is happening here?"

"Nicola – we have to do something! Help Van Helsing please!"

Nicola looked round, suddenly aware of the two men again. Gabriel was in trouble. He was pinned down and any moment her lord might strike. She nodded to her friend.

"Be ready to get out of here when I make my move!"

Then with no other warning she stood, transforming and flying at Dracula. She took him by surprise, knocking him to the ground.

Arene ran to Van Helsing and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"We've got to go!" the Knight declared, grabbing her hand and trying to pull her from the room.

"Not without Nicola," she cried, pulling against him.

The tables had turned. Thinking her friend had had time to escape Nicola had pulled back from her lord but was now facing his wrath over her attack. He had her pinned against the wall, his hand around her throat. She was back in human form and made no attempt to fight against him. She had made her choice and would face the consequences. Besides – she loved him still.

"So, you would betray me?!" demanded the Count, his eyes glowing blue with rage and his fangs lengthening.

Arene looked back at her friend, fear in her eyes. She pulled against her father,

"We have to help her! He'll kill her!" she cried, but Van Helsing only pulled her closer.

"There's nothing we can do," he whispered, trying to pull her away. "We have to leave."

Arene looked back to see her friend was in danger.

"No, my lord, I would never betray you," she whispered as his grasp on her throat tightened. His eyes glowing blue.

"Yet you stopped me from killing Gabriel! How do I know you won't try to kill me?!?" His fangs grew long and Nicola closed her eyes in fear.

"ENOUGH!!!!" a voice cried out.