A/N: Here's the next chapter; it's a bit shorter than the other lately. Hope you guys enjoy it :)

Chapter Fifty-Four: Seeing a Hunter

Isabella ran through the village with Tristen and Sasha while their dads slowly walked. With both of their senses heighten; they could keep an eye on their children even if they weren't nearby. Isabella giggled as Tristen caught up to her and playfully tackled her to the ground.

"Tristen, hands off my daughter there." Erik approached the two kids. The boy quickly got off of Isabella.

"He's just practicing his wolf skills." Nadir came up next to Erik.

"Well he can practice on his brother and not my daughter." Nadir just rolled his eyes. "Come on guys, we have to get Meg's fabrics from the post office." The kids nods and bolted for the post office, making the dads sighs.

"Remember when we had that much energy?" Nadir asked as they walked after the kids.

"I do and I sure miss having that much energy." They both laughed as they approached the post office. Their kids were already there and once again, rolling around in the dirt. Erik went inside while Nadir stayed outside with the kids. When he came back out, Nadir was laying on the ground with all three kids on his back. Erik just laughed as he picked up his daughter and put her on his shoulders. Nadir looks around to make sure no one was around when he transformed into a werewolf. His sons rode on his back while Isabella sat on Erik's shoulders as the group made their way back to the castle.

As they came back to the castle, Nadir turned a few wolves howl and his ears perked up, listening to what the message was. Erik heard the howl as well and got the twins off of Nadir's back as the large wolf ran out of the castle towards the wolf cave. Erik took the kids inside while he sent a message to Meg, asking if she and Christine were alright. When Meg replied saying that they were fine, Erik sighed in relief but still was curious on what was going that would have even the wolves acting strange. Once he knew the twins were safe in the catacombs of the castle, he and Isabella went looking around the castle. He figured he'd teach Isabella a few things now. He led her to the balcony pathway, stopping at one point. He knelt down next to her.

"Alright, now I'm going to teach you how to use your heighten senses." She nodded. "Close your eyes…" She nodded and did what he said. She picked up the scent of blood and suddenly felt herself change. She shook her head, scared of what was happening to her. "Let it happen…" He said calming to her.

"B-But…what's happening to me?" She started shaking. He figured that she hasn't changed before and that it was her first time. He didn't answer but waited until she opened her now red eyes. "W-What do I do now?" She asked, unsure what to do.

"Use your senses…" She nodded and inhaled deep, instantly smelling garlic.

"Ew garlic." He smiled proudly. "Why is there garlic here?" She asked, knowing her dad doesn't have any garlic at the castle.

"Because a vampire hunter is here…" Her eyes widen in fear.

"R-Really?" He nodded. "W-What should we do?"

"Change back..."

"But how?" She asked him. He thought for a moment. "How do you change back so easily?"

"I just think of your mother." He answered. "Think of something that you love." She nodded, immediately thinking of her favorite horror movie and within seconds, she was back to normal. "There you go." He smiled and stood up. "Come, we have to greet out guest." She nodded and followed him back inside the castle. As they approached the front door, Isabella noticed Erik having gasping slightly from the overpowering smell of garlic. Unlike Erik, Isabella wasn't completely 'allergic' to garlic but she still didn't like it. He opened the door to see Van Helsing standing there. Isabella quickly hid behind her dad for protection. "What do you want?" He asked, not letting the man inside the castle.

"I wanted to come by to congratulate you on your opera; you did a wonderful job composing it." He said to the vampire.

"Thank you…" Erik tried to be nice, but he wanted Van Helsing to leave especially since Isabella was hiding behind him. But Van Helsing already knew about Isabella and also wanted to see her as well.

"You're welcome…I see you're spending time with your daughter." Now he had Erik's attention.

"You know I have a daughter?" He asked.

"I knew the moment I heard Christine was pregnant. For a moment I thought it was Ronald's, when she didn't meant the father at all, I knew it had to be yours." Anger filled Erik; he didn't like that fact that his enemy knew about Christine's pregnancy when he didn't. Isabella peeked out from behind Erik to look at the hunter whom Erik warned her about. "And you must be her." She nodded her head, staying behind her dad for protection. "I can see where she gets her shyness from…"

"What do you want?" Erik asked again.

"To let you know that I haven't forgotten what you did to my daughter." Isabella looked up at Erik, unsure what he was meaning. "And if it wasn't for your daughter standing behind you, I would drive a stake right through your heart." He threatened, making her eyes widen in fear. "But then again, I'm not a monster like you."

"I may be a monster, but so are you. You came after me by killing someone that I cared about and I am not someone who will just sit back and hide in the corner. Yes I killed your sister, call it revenge. You strike at me, I strike right back." Erik's voice was dark and threatening. Every word he said sent a chill down Van Helsing's spine. "Now, are you done threatening me or shall I find someone else to kill?" He flashed his red eyes at Van Helsing, warning him. Isabella watched as the hunter slowly backed away from the prey. She still hid behind him even after the hunter left and Erik sighed in relief, calming down a bit. "I'm sorry you had to hear all that…" He apologized to her.

"I-Is it true? That you killed his daughter?" She asked him, looking up at him. He sighed again and nod. "Who did he kill that was close to you?"

"Leila was her name…" She could tell that he didn't want to talk about it and understood why. Erik took the moment to go get the twins and then left to head to the wolf cage. Isabella stayed inside in her room, thinking. She had always thought vampires were cold and heartless, but she was proven that they are not. Yes Erik was cold and heartless at times when he needed to kill for food. She saw the side of him that her mother sees. She knew he would protect them with his life and make sure nothing happens to them.

Reviews are welcome :)