The air on the ground floor was warmer than anywhere else in the castle, and the cold wind that shook the doors and rattled the windows of the upstairs floors was softer down here. As always, the place seemed deserted, but Crina remained tense as she walked, prepared for Brianna or Natasja or even Vladislaus to appear.

She needed to sit and think. Things were getting out of hand. It was as though she didn't know herself anymore.

Her fingers found the cool doorknob of a door, and she pushed it open to reveal a beautiful lounge. Fine wooden furniture seemed oddly out of place, trapped in the dusty sunlight that drifted in through the open window. There was a portrait on the wall, a picture painted wonderfully of a pale man with long black hair. There was only dust in the fireplace.

Crina shivered as she stepped into the cold room, a sharp wind blowing in through the window. Automatically, she went over to it, preparing to close it, when suddenly a blast of the air caught her in the face. She closed her eyes, inhaling freedom.

"Oh my God." It was too late for Crina, it had to be. She had changed so much, her innocence completely lost. Whether she liked it or not, the castle was the only place for her.

She sunk onto the window-ledge. It felt like she should be crying but she couldn't quite do it. She was becoming less human already. There was nothing she could do. Soon, she would become a vampire, she was sure. Vlad was bite her and she would become like Brianna and Natasja, blindly loyal, empty.

A hand closed over her mouth from behind. She recognised the feel of the glove from the night of the ball, but still she jumped, heart racing, struggling.

"Hush, Crina, hush," Van Helsing's voice came softly into her ear. "Stop struggling and I'll release you."

She fell still, deciding to find out what he wanted this time. As soon as he had released her, she turned to look into his soft, gentle eyes, shaking her head. "Van Helsing-"

"Gabriel, please," he said quietly.

"Gabriel, what are you doing here? Vlad will kill you," she said desperately. "You must leave!"

"Calm yourself." Gabriel spoke clearly, crisply, clearly unruffled by this information. "I have killed Vladislaus Dragulia at least once, my dear woman. It is you who is in more danger."

Crina sighed. "There is no danger to me."

"Only the danger of losing your soul."

Crina shook her head, rising. "It is lost anyway, Gabriel. What is it you want of me?"

"Leave with me, Crina," Gabriel said, his eyes begging her. "Leave before it is to late, Crina! I beg of you, do not lose your soul to Dracula!"

"I am staying."

"Crina, Dracula is evil!" Gabriel grabbed her shoulders. "Why can't you see that?"

"I can see that," she replied. Emotion welled up inside of her. "God, I can see that. I see that everyday I am here, every moment I am with him, and yet I cannot leave." A tear slid down her face. "I hate it, but I love him."

Gabriel sighed, his face darkening. He shook his head. "Crina, he is a monster," he said bitterly. "I am begging you to leave, if you do not... you will be regarded as evil. When we storm the castle... you will be killed as part of the evil of this place... there will be no mercy..." He lowered his head.

"You think you will be shown mercy in this place?" Crina asked, shrugging. "You would be a fool to try it."

For a moment they just glared at each other, fire burning in all eyes, defiance tense on the air. Then Gabriel took Crina's hand, his face soft once more.

"I only want to save you," he said quietly.

"You cannot." She felt the warmness of his fingers on her own.

"But Crina, you will be eternally damned if you do not leave soon! I can save you from that, I know I can!" he replied. "Oh God, Crina, please-"

"Stop." Crina rose, looking back at him firmly. "I do not need to hear this. I already know. Now, if this is all, I shall bid you good-day, Gabriel." And she headed forwards, away from him.

"Wait!" Gabriel cried, but she did not stop. Then he said coyly, "Your mother mentioned Ioan Valerious."

Crina froze, heart racing. She closed her eyes, her face growing hot. "And what of it, Van Helsing?" she asked, tartly.

Gabriel sighed. For a moment he was silent, and Crina glanced at him, seeing the apologetic look on his face. "I didn't want to mention it... but it seems I have no choice. Your beloved Vlad is responsible, Crina."

There was a huge lump in Crina's throat. Dread flooded through her. "Responsible for what?"

He shuffled, apparently uncomfortable. "His death, Crina. Vladislaus Dragulia killed Ioan Valerious."

"No!" Crina gasped. Tears splashed down her face, and she began to cry. Gabriel reached for her, but she ran, away from him. She sprinted through the corridors, sobbing, her heart breaking. How could Vlad betray her like this? How could he be so evil?

She collapsed against a wall, buried her face in her hands. Poor, poor Ioan... she had completely betrayed him. She had fallen for his murderer.

"Ioan!" she cried, screaming, horrified.

But there was no way to end the pain.

To be continued.

A/N: Here's a question for you: what are your thoughts on a Gabriel/Crina romance? I don't have one planned for this story but I'd like to know your thoughts on it. Also, I'm sorry I haven't updated for so long... I have GCSE exams in a few weeks and it's taking up most of my time.