Inside the room . . .

Van Helsing sat in a chair laboriously breathing as Michael wrapped and tended to the wounds as best he could. While they were preoccupied with his health, I was making my way over to the doors when I was blocked by Marlus again.

"Riana! We know you want to destroy him, but it's not safe outside. Stay in here where we can protect you."

He tried to put his arms around me, but I pushed them aside and continued on.

"Don't let her go whatever you do," Van Helsing said as he sat up and grunted in pain. "She doesn't want what you think she does."

Michael soon joined Marlus, and I collapsed to the floor on my knees with tears running down my face. I knew I could've easily moved them with my magic, but I didn't want anyone to get hurt, especially these men who had become my friends. All they could do was watch as I struggled with my inner conflict.

"How did you know?" I asked as I recovered from my emotional outburst.

"The Knights of the Holy Order recently told me you set out looking for Dracula; possibly to kill him. But now I have good reason to believe otherwise."

"Why didn't you tell me you already knew about her?"

"Michael, you had an idea of her goals; besides, I didn't want you to feel bad knowing I already knew."

"So . . . what is her true purpose, if she is not under his spell?" Marlus asked suspiciously.

"I can tell you right now she's not under a spell of any kind, but why don't you ask her exactly what she wants from Dracula."

They all stared at me for an answer, but nothing happened for a few, long moments. Suddenly, hacking sounds came out of nowhere, and something was hitting against the doors by familiar sounding creatures. The Dwergi were trying to break their way in.

"No!" I cried. "I will not be stopped!"

I rose quickly and was almost to my goal before Michael and Marlus could react. The doors still held strong, but the axes were making splintering holes, and we could catch a glimpse of the other side. Dracula's eyes cut straight through and he smiled as he watched the series of events unfold.

"Yes; come to me, my angel, so that I may rule the world."

But before I could grasp the handle, a small vial with holy water and a ruby gem rolled past my feet, and a few words left my body almost completely immobile. I turned my head to face Van Helsing.

"Where did you learn how to perform a paralysis spell?!"

"Let's just say I know how to deal with witches. Now don't try anything, or else I'll have to hurt you even more," he sighed as he grimaced in pain again.

"A witch?! By God, I had no idea!" exclaimed Marlus as he took a few steps back with wide eyes.

I looked down in shame. "Now you've exposed me for what I truly am."

"Lady Riana . . . why didn't you tell us this before?" Michael almost whispered.

"Isn't it obvious?! I was afraid, if people knew . . . I most likely would be burned or hanged. Which would you prefer?!" I shouted bitterly. "If you only knew what I went through, you would understand what brought me here . . . to him," I finished as I looked up at the doors that were slowly breaking in pieces.

"But he's just using you for his own selfish goals!" he yelled back.

"So?! I 'm using him as well; what difference does it make? It doesn't matter now—we'll all be killed anyway."

"Riana, is that your name?" Van Helsing paused to regain his breath. "If we survive this ordeal, how would you like to come back with me to Rome? There are people there who can help you."

"Don't you understand?! No one like you can help me—this is the only way."

"No, it's not!" Michael exploded. "If you continue with your plan and take over the world, you'll kill everyone until there's nothing left, and if you don't, he will."

"He's right. Evil turns in on itself, and it's not worth it to be alone or dead."

"Please, my lady," begged Marlus "do the right thing."

I stared for a long moment as I thought about this life-changing decision.

"What will become of me afterwards?"

"If you help us kill Dracula and we escape from this place, you can join our ranks and vanquish any evil that threatens humanity. You'll be around others like you, and you can even see the world," Van Helsing told me.

Hope returned to my eyes. "Alright; but I can't do it alone."

"Of course not; that's why we're here," he answered back as he tried to stand up with difficulty.