Everyone turned to look at Arene, tears poured down her face as she broke away from her father. Having no fear for just a moment, she ran forward and struck Dracula in the face. He stepped back, letting go of Nicola. She gasped for breath but leaned against the wall and looked at her friend, who was almost seething in rage.

"How can you be so blind?!?!" she cried. "Can't you see she loves you more than anything?! How dare you? Have you no heart!?!?"

Everyone in the room stood quietly as they watched her. She turned to Nicola and helped her fully to her feet. She then turned back to the Count, the tears still falling down her face,

"It's not her fault at all! I gave her back her memories! I provoked the attack! Don't you see? She did nothing!" she whispered. "Look how much she really cares! Don't you see how much she loves you? Don't you see how lucky you are?"

She looked at Nicola. "I've never known another person like her. She's not only my only friend...she's my best friend and Van Helsing..." she turned to look at him, "he's the only person in five years...who I can really say is...."she smiled as she looked at him, "family.... and I'm tried of just standing here and watching you harm them!"

She eyed him. "I know now... why you brought me here. You knew I'd be a threat to you and your brides. You knew I'd be more trouble than Van Helsing. I have been. It is time I pay for the trouble I have caused. I will not be afraid anymore... I will not let them be hurt anymore... so I will make you a deal. I will face you in battle. One on one. I will not be armed. I will probably die and I know it, but in exchange, you must free both Nicola and Van Helsing and you or your servants will never harm them again. "

Dracula looked at her with a new respect and admiration. She had courage this young girl.

"I accept your terms," Dracula said with a regal bow.

"No!" exclaimed Nicola and Van Helsing in unison but their objections were all in vain. Arene was determined.

Dracula stepped into the centre of the room and Arene followed suit. She was a little nervous but held her courage. This was her choice.

As he stood facing her Dracula let his fangs lengthen but he did not fully transform. He might as well give her a fighting chance after all.

Arene looked back at him then glanced down as she felt something cool slip into her hand. She weighed the silver stake, getting used to the feel of it then looked up at Van Helsing, who stepped back with a tear in his eye. She then concentrated on Dracula once more.

Once her attention was on him the Count decided to wait no longer. With a slight hiss he lunged at her and Van Helsing and Nicola turned away – not wanted to see the girl die. Nicola clung to Gabriel and he found himself wrapping his arms around her. The scream and noise of fighting didn't happen though and they looked round, unable to believe their eyes.

Dracula was frozen in mid-jump a mixed look of fear and surprise on his face. Holding him up and enveloping him was a light white light. The light was coming from Arene's chest, from her heart. She was leaning against the wall, staring at the light and unsure where this power had come from. She felt like something amazing was inside her, helping her and offering her strength and love. She felt happier than she'd ever felt and love emanated from her.

As they watched the light grew brighter and brighter and began to spread. Soon it reached Nicola and Van Helsing and engulfed them too. Nicola gave a small cry and Gabriel watched in amazement as her skin regained a healthy glow and her teeth and eyes returned to normal. She was human again. Just then the light disappeared and she stumbled forward till Gabriel caught her and helped her to stand again. There was a slight thump and they spun round to see Dracula, collapsed in a heap on the floor as Arene sank to the ground too, breathing heavily. Nicola ran to Dracula as Gabriel headed over the Arene.