Vatican City, Rome, Italy

It was the same dream he had been having for the past seven months since his return to Rome. The blood on his lips and claws. The power he felt as the werewolf's blood ran through his veins. Only one thing was on his mind, kill everything. Once he had disposed of his main problem, Dracula, he could no longer distinguish between friend and foe. He had only seen her as a flash, she was a threat, she was going to destroy him…if he didn't destroy her first. His powerful muscles coiled, his heart pumped faster as the anticipation of the kill filled his thoughts. It only took a spilt second and everything released. He shot forward, jumping the incredible distance between him and his prey. He lunged for her and made contact. The force of his impact snapped her neck as they flew across the room and landed on the other side. She had died almost instantly, but not before injecting him with the serum, the cure to the werewolf disease. The werewolf within him slowly dissipated and with it, the cold reality of what he had done. He had known her for only a short time, but for that brief moment of time, it was the first time he had truly known happiness. He howled in anger, cursing whatever gods there were that caused this pain.

Gabriel Van Helsing shot up straight in his bed as he gave a loud yell, digging his hands into the mattress. He was hyperventilating and sweat rolled down his face. He looked down at his hands and could see they had slightly changed to the werewolf form. Lifting his right hand, he stared at it, concentrating on getting it to change back. When it was completely normal, he flexed his fingers while mentally making sure nothing else had changed as well.

Nothing is ever completely cured

He jumped to his feet and tensed up as someone had suddenly knocked at the door. His mind quickly ran through all the ways he could disable and possibly kill an intruder. He shook his head as he realized that: one – they were in the secret underground base of the Holy Order and that nothing would get through to this point unnoticed by anyone and two – an intruder hell bent on killing him wouldn't be knocking at his door.

"Come." He called out as he grabbed the shirt sitting on the corner of his bed. The door slowly opened as a young monk poked his head in. He looked a little scared as if Van Helsing was going to cut off his head. "Can I help you?" Gabriel asked a little impatiently.

"Cardinal Jinette has asked that you be summoned, he has an assignment for you." the monk stammered.

Van Helsing let out a very audible sigh. Just once he'd like to be summoned for something other than an assignment. "Tell him I'll be there momentarily." He finally said. The monk gave a quick bob of his head and hastily left the room. Gabriel stepped in front of the mirror and looked at the scar on the left side of his chest, the visible reminder of what happened to him, the change he had undergone. He still felt the werewolf's poison running through his veins. He didn't want to think about it anymore, he quickly put on his shirt, covering the scar.

As usual, the whole area was busy with activity. Men from all religions working on new devises, researching potential threats, and doing whatever they could to keep humanity safe from evil in the ways that they could.

And when they find a threat they can't handle, they call me to do the dirty work.

Van Helsing weaved his way between all the people who were doing their best to concentrate on their work as he brushed past them. He had spotted Cardinal Jinette on the other side of the room, near a large map. He finally made his way over to him, "You wanted to see me, another assignment I have been told." He said.

Jinette pointed to the map projected on the wall, "You're needed here, in Ireland. More specifically in a town called Ballyclonmor. They've been plagued by a menace we've identified as the Dullahan." The projector changed to an image of the Dullahan, a dark, headless horseman. In is hand, he carried a head the color yellow by its grey hair. "He has been terrorizing them for the past two weeks but it was only recently that we found out that it was him. His first six victims were those who lived outside the town and there were no witnesses. His latest victim was taken from the town itself, roped and dragged off. It is presumed the victim is dead though none of the bodies have ever been recovered. So far he has claimed four men, two women and a child."

Gabriel stared at the image of the Dullahan, seemed simple enough, kill the bad guy by any means necessary. Couldn't be any worse than killing Dracula. Memories flashed through his mind at the thought of Dracula. He shook his head to clear his mind of the images, he needed to concentrate on this new mission.

"What does he do with the bodies he has taken?"

"We're not sure, but legend has it that the Dullahan kidnaps humans that he thinks may be suitable for the Fairy Queen so there may be a chance that those who have been taken are still alive." said a very familiar voice behind him. Gabriel turned around and was pleased to see a short friar standing behind him.

"Carl, it's good to see you." he said, smiling.

Carl just gave a short nod with his head, "I've taken the liberty of gathering usual items for your assignment, and a few new things I think may come in handy."

"Good, you explain them to me along the way." Gabriel said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. Carl's eyes went wide and his mouth opened and closed many times as he tried to come up with some sort of response. He huffed a bit and his face finally read acceptance with a touch of annoyance.

"You know, I just wish for once that my ventures outside the abbey wouldn't result in the possibility of me getting killed, hurt or maimed." He answered.

Gabriel smiled, "Don't worry, Carl. You might get lucky on our trip." He said with a wink as he started off. Carl's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped, stunned at what he heard.

Shaking off his shock, Carl ran after Gabriel, "You knew about that?" he was heard calling after his friend.