Dracula was winning, every thing was going alright, they would catch Viktor and his men/women, but then the hateful, heavily accented voice of Viktor cried: "LEAVE, RUN!"

They fled, running terrified from Dracula's army, Viktor's men had fled the battle, leaving their considerable dead to rot in the summer palace, in Dracula's hands.

"Get them" shouted Dracula. "Don't let them get away, kill them!"

The vampires charged, catching some, but loosing others as once they were out of the doors and in the open, they could transform and fly away; Dracula's men were not going to chase them over sea and mountains to catch them, they were simply not worth it.

Dracula and his brides stood in the middle of a desecrated battle field, the carnage of it strewn about them, broken bodies, the wounded and the survivors were stirring; the survivors were going around and separating the wounded from the dead. They did not touch any of Viktor's army, leaving them as they lay.

"Why did they attack?" whispered Marishka.

"They swore they would never set another foot in this place" said a disbelieving Verona.

"Yes" said an equally disbelieving Aleera. "They can't have come of their own accord, it wouldn't be like Viktor, when he says something, he means it"

"Look" said Verona. "Here comes Misha, I hope she is not hurt"

Misha was limping slightly, one of the other vampires had had the audacity to stick a stake into her leg; wounds made by stakes didn't heal of their own accord and this one was deep.

"Misha, my darling" cried Verona. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Verona" said Misha, allowing the brides to hug and kiss her; they had been worried about her.

"My darling, what have they done to you?" said Dracula, seeing her leg.

"It is just a little cut master" answered Misha weakly, the "little cut" was really hurting now.

"Are you sure my darling?" asked a concerned Aleera.

"Gabriel!" she exclaimed, seeing him. "Are you alright? are you hurt?"

"No my love" said Van Helsing, hugging her. "But I am very happy that you are mostly unscathed"

"I don't understand why Viktor would attack" said Dracula.

"Maybe he is working for someone" suggested Verona. "He would do anything for more power or money"

"But who is willing to risk there neck to give it to him, uh? said Anna. "He could just steal if he wants money and..."

"But he can't steal power" said Misha, cutting Anna off. "Power is given not taken"

"Well" said Van Helsing. "There's only one thing for it, the Vatican"

"What can a stupid church do?" said Olivia. "They would never help us"

"No, but they night know who this guy Viktor is working for" said Van Helsing. "And it is not a "stupid church", Olivia"

"I suppose you have a point" said Olivia.

"But what if they don't?" said Corinthia.

Dracula held up his hand for silence.

"I am willing to try it" said Dracula. "Are you planing on taking Misha?"

"With your leave Count, I would take all the brides with me" said Van Helsing. "And you if you wish" he added.

"No" said Dracula. "Take the brides, Olivia and Corinthia to, it would in all probability be safer for them in Rome if Viktor is going to attack again"

"But master" cried Verona. "If he attacks again we want to stand at you side and fight him"

"No, my brides" said Dracula. "It is for your own safety, if you go with Van Helsing you can enjoy the delights of Rome"

"But master, what if they come to Castle Dracula?" said Aleera.

"Then we will fight them" said Dracula. "And you will be safe in Rome, no arguments, I have decided"