[PLAYER SPOILERS]

Howdy all,

I've currently run 5 or so sessions of CoS. The players retrieved Ireena from Barovia and have made it their goal to deliver her to the Abbey in Krezk after instructed to do so by the Barovian Priest. So, they finally arrive there, and I suppose I made the Abbot appear a little too inviting, because my players are about to hand her over to him! (Apparently, the flesh golem and asylum filled with mutant creatures weren't good signs?) They even crushed her dreams of being with Sergei!

Should I just let the party hand her over, or is that too easy, most likely resulting in the Abbot sending her straight to Ravenloft?

Should this be used as an opportunity for the players to encounter Strahd?

I think it would be a cool opportunity to have Ireena appear as Strahd's full-fledged sidekick in the final encounter, but that might not be as climactic as I imagine it.

What would be the best way to go about this?