Episode 86: The Rats! The Rats!

Rats pour out of the sewers, spreading plague wherever they go. They are driven by several Nosferatu, who compel them from their hiding place belowground. So there's no real alternative but to go down and root them out, which is what we wind up doing.

The Nosferatu try to ambush Alexandra again, but she stays close to the group. Then they ambush Danny and Walker and get mauled, so they retreat. Finally, Juliet can sense their ancient evil and almost walks into their trap -- a stagnant cistern full of dark, oily water. She pours holy water into the cistern and EEEYOW all the Nosferatu, waiting under the surface, bounce up like scalded cats! A tremendous brawl then follows. The Nosferatu never even got to use Albert Ball as bait for their trap; he's found, drained but alive, around a corner.

Meanwhile, Diligence is stalked by a Nosferatu who is bitten and drained by Marty Lechtansi, Diligence's old vampire snitch. Marty drinks his victim whole, liquefying his skin and bones and drinking those, too, absorbing the victim's entire essence into his being with a burp. He confirms that demons are abroad down here in the sewers, working in packs. Packs of demons are very rare; the only explanation is that a stronger will is keeping them from turning on each other. But who's strong enough to command legions of demons from Hell?