br /> Both men stood frozen on the steps as Dracula descended to the floor of the chamber. He looked up at them, eyes blazing. "Here is true insanity for you!" he shouted over the din.
You wanted to learn the truth? Well, gaze upon it! Allow me to introduce you to my family! My brothers and my sisters! My creator's legacy!"
He hurled the candelabrum at the iron bars with all his might. sending sonic of the creatures scampering back.
"Shut up!" he screamed. "Shut up. damn you all. SHUT UP!"
As Conan Doyle and Stoker stood motionless, staring in stunned disbelief, the vampire slumped down, brought his hands up to his face and wept.
"For God's sake, Arthur!" Stoker said, grabbing Doyle's arm and spinning hint around. "This is madness! Hurry, we must get out of here before-"
He saw the expression on Doyle's face as Doyle looked past him and quickly turned around, expecting some new horror. Standing on the landing behind them was a beautiful young woman dressed all in white, with long black hair hanging loose down around her shoulders.
"My God!" said Stoker, "Violet!"
"Mr. Stoker!" she said, coming down towards them and holding out her arms. "Help me! Please! Take me away from this dreadful place!"
Stoker started towards her, but Doyle suddenly grabbed him and pulled him back. "Look out. Stoker!"
She snarled as Stoker was yanked out of her reach, revealing sharp, elongated canine teeth. She lunged at Doyle, but he twisted away from her and she screamed as her momentum carried her over the side of the long stairway. The scream was cut off abruptly as she struck the stone floor below, breaking her neck.
Dracula stood over the creature that had once been Violet Anderson, staring down at her broken body. "Forgive me, Violet," he said softly. "I could not help myself."
Slowly, he raised his head to look up at the two men above him on the stairway, his eyes glittering. Then he turned and walked over to the wall, taking a ring of keys down from a hook.
"Run, Stoker!" Doyle shouted.
As they sprinted back the way they came, the vampire threw open the first of the cell doors.
…
The lock on the warehouse door yielded to the laser easily. Steiger slowly pushed the door open while the others covered him.
"I think it would be best if you were to remain out here. Mr. Wells," said Forrester.
"Absolutely not," said Wells. "I will ask you to remember our agreement. General."
"I do remember it." said Forester, “and I appreciate your cooperation more than I can say, but my concern is for your safety."
"So long as Jane remains safe with your people at the Charing Cross Hotel, that is all that matters," Wells said.
"Mr. Neilson and Miss Craven will take good care of her." said Forrester, "and with Dr. Darkness there as well, she will he more than adequately protected. I'd feel much better if you were with them. If anything should happen to you-"
"You need have no fears on my account." said Wells. "I have no intention of indulging in any foolhardy heroics. But you will need me to deal with Lin Tao and Moreau. They trust me, whereas, I am sorry to say, they do not trust you people at all."
"I guess that makes us even," Steiger said. "I don't trust Moreau. And I don't know anything about this Lin Tao character."
"What is it you wish to know, Colonel Steiger?" said a voice from directly behind them.
They turned quickly to see the old Chinaman come walking towards them slowly out of the mist. He stopped a short distance away front them.
"It's him," said Andre.
The old man bowed. "I am Lin Tao."
"Stay right where you are," said Steiger, covering the old man with his disruptor, but Wells immediately stepped in front of him.
"Put that away!" he said. "Is that any way to treat a man who's trying to help you?"