"My God, Velkan!"

Jericho looked closely at the figure who had just emerged from the shadows. Something was wrong with Velkan. Aside from the fact that his clothes were shredded and he was sweating all over, there was something in his eyes that did not look quite normal.

"What happened to you?" Jericho demanded.

Velkan grabbed Jericho and shoved him behind a bookcase.

"Jericho, I don't have much time. I have to tell you -"

"I thought you'd died!" said Jericho, grabbing Velkan by the shoulders. "I can't believe you're -"

"I'm as good as dead," Velkan replied.

Jericho opened his mouth but Velkan cut through his question.

"There is no time to explain. Listen, I know what happened to Lireela. He has her, he -"

"Yes, I know," explained Jericho. "I'm trying to find clues as to where Dracula is. I know it may not work, and I know you'll probably say it's hopeless, but -"

"Jericho, listen to me." Velkan grabbed Jericho by the arms. "Lireela is in the Icy Fortress. You have no chance of finding her. Do not try to -"

"I still have hope!" yelled Jericho, pushing Velkan off of him. "There is a way to get to Dracula's fortress, I just need to find it!"

"My father's been searching for -"

Velkan's expression changed dramatically. Suddenly he looked as if something was going to grab hold of him out of the shadows.

"Velkan?" Jericho looked closely at his friend and comrade. "Are you all right? What's going on?"

"Jericho..." Velkan's skin began to tighten, and suddenly he jumped six feet into the air and landed on the wall, from where he did not come down.

Suddenly Jericho realized what he was seeing. The transformation of a werewolf.

"NO!"

Velkan's eyes turned a sickly yellow shade, and his face began to change hideously.

All Jericho could do for a moment was shake his head, back away, and whisper, "No... this cannot happen..."

Velkan suddenly began to rip his skin off. In place of this came coarse brown werewolf fur. What five seconds before had been Velkan Velarious was now one of Draculas minions.

Jericho pulled out his silver gun and shot at Velkan, who dodged out of the way and jumped through the nearest window and out of sight.

Jericho knew this monster was no longer his friend. It would kill him without thought, and he knew if he saw the werewolf again he would have to kill it.