Deciding now he should try a new tactic, Ronan thought,What is your real name, ancient one? The one your unfortunate parents gave you at birth.

The laugh, rusted with hate, rolled over Ronan's skin and made it prickle.My name is long lost, even to me.

Ronan knew the ancient one lied and why he kept his name a secret. If anyone knew, the name might be used against the ancient one in a ceremony performed by a seer if that seer practiced magick.

I'm here now,Sorley said.

Relief filled Ronan. At least with Sorley and him combining energy, they may survive an attack from the ancient vampire.

Sorley's shaky voice filled Ronan's head.The ancient one is here, too.

I know.

Penetrate his mind for his name. Now!

Although Ronan knew what he planned was dangerous, he didn't see how he could ignore what he must do. He closed his eyes and threw the full power of his concentration outward. He would penetrate the psyche of the ancient one if only for a few seconds.

He pushed and pushed.

There.

A hitch as he intruded on the old vampire's brain slowed him down, like swimming through thick mud. Then he was in.Give me your name, ancient one.

Ronan sensed the ancient one's quiver, as if the awareness of Ronan piercing his mind felt highly unpleasant.What have you done?

The growl in Ronan's mind sounded like a lion, angered by the insistent teasing of a fly.

Taken a piece of your mind, Septimus Ademus.

Ronan could have cursed the old creature, called him a knave, a clump of shit on the bottom of his shoe, but didn't want to take the chance of bringing on another fight in this time or place.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,Sorley's voice said, a rasp of fear and awe.

Get out of here, Sorley.Go!

With a harsh, guttural laugh, the ancient one continued.You think knowing my name will save you and this wimp? Your other useless mortal friends? Then I gave you too much credit for intelligence.

Ronan's heart seemed to thud with thick beats and his breath stuttered. He knew he couldn't maintain the connection much longer. A strange and foreboding malaise worked its way inside him and demanded surrender.

He'd felt overpowering evil in the tunnels the last time he'd fought the old vampire.

When they'd saved Micky from the monster, he'd experienced the seeping, disgusting wound of evil that embedded itself in the very tunnel walls. Now he touched the wickedness with his own mind and it frightened him.

For added protection, Ronan inhaled deeply and imagined white and gold light surrounding him. A real glow, like the sun touching glitter, spread around his body.

Do it, Ronan said to Sorley,Protect yourself now.

Another shimmering sheet surrounded a shorter, skinner outline nearby Ronan's right side. Worried about his chatty friend's silence, he built the strength of the white and gold light around his own body. Because of the shielding the connection between the ancient one and him should break.

He's tainted now.The old vampire's slithering voice scratched over Ronan's mind like sandpaper.The darkest has him.

The darkest?

That which is darker than my soul.

Ronan couldn't believe it. He'd heard of such a thing, and the evil they'd encountered in the tunnels certainly qualified as the most evil Ronan had ever experienced.You can't have him.

The darkest. The darkest has him. He's been touched.

A mild panic flared inside Ronan, but before he could do anything the old one's presence evaporated like steam.

He glanced to his left and saw the glow around Sorley's body.Are you all right?

Of course I am.

The why the hell didn't you answer?

The glow around Sorley's form vanished.Because I couldn't. After we made connection with the ancient one's mind, I couldn't move. I couldn't get my bleedin' breath.

Let's get of here then and talk about this. Now we have his name-

No. We need to track more of the people wreckin' this town. We could have had some fresh blood tonight.

Ronan didn't like the way this conversation was going.After seven hundred years I don't like the taste of fresh human blood anymore. You know that. And you said you don't either.

The pause made Ronan wary.

Sorley spoke a minute later.They're criminals. I don't see the harm in it.

Anger made Ronan lose his patience.Think about what you just said, Sorley. Do you think, after living on thawed blood from packets that you'd be able to hold back with a mortal? Do you think you could stop short of killing them?

Sorley's voice, when it came, sounded almost as sullen as a teenage boy.You may not be able to do it. But I can.

Ronan held back, despite the fury that bolted through him like lightning. He couldn't believe what he'd heard coming from his old friend.

Sorley, though, couldn't let it go.We'd be gettin' rid of the scum of the earth. What difference does it make?

As they rounded a corner and started back toward Main Street, Ronan's irritation snapped like a whip.Because that would make you no better than the ancient one.

Feeling the ire radiating from Sorley was easy enough; the vampire was never much good at keeping his feelings under wraps.You think because you're the older vampire that you can lord it over? Do you think the rest of us are under your command or somethin'?

No. But you're not thinking clearly. You need to remember that taking fresh human blood will make you want more. You'll crave it every day until the need burns in your stomach like an ulcer. Don't you remember that?

I remember. But I won't need to worry about that if I've got the frozen blood.

What if all Hades breaks loose and you and I have to go without the frozen blood for awhile? Are you going to hurt a mortal for your needs? Think, man.

I am thinkin'. It's you that isn't bein' reasonable.

Like a monster long suppressed, Ronan's frustration burst forth.If you even think about hurting a mortal, I swear toGod-

You'll what?