who doesn't rely on his own life energy."

"Those symbols you saw carved into your brother's body were part of a

necromancer's spell," said Merlin. His voice was now the same as Billy's,

only

without the Cockney accent. "Certain ancient druidic cults, those that

practiced

human sacrifice, used to paint such symbols on the bodies of their victims.

Similar rites could be found among other primitive tribes, from the blue

body-painting of the Picts to the war paint of the Native Americans. They

believe it was a way of increasing their power. What you saw on the body of

your

brother was the original version, only necromancers don't use paint."

"Does that mean his"—Blood hesitated—"his soul was destroyed?"

"It was eaten," Merlin said.

Blood closed his eyes tightly. "My God," he whispered.

"Perhaps now you can appreciate what it is you're faced with," Merlin

continued.

"The police are not equipped to deal with an immortal necromancer. If you

send

more police officers against him, more police officers will die, and their

deaths will only make him stronger."

"What can I do?" said Blood.

"What we need now most of all is information," Wyrdrune said. "We need to tap

into Scotland Yard's data banks."

"With your help," said Jacqueline, "we could network Archimedes with your

police

computers. Archimedes could download whatever information your special task

force has managed to come up with so far, and then we could request data

through

Scotland Yard that would be fed through your computers directly to

Archimedes."

Blood stared at her with astonishment. "You can't be serious! Do you realize

what you're asking? I can't give you that kind of access! You're asking me to

help you set up a security feed from the police data banks directly to

Archimedes. That would be criminal, to say nothing of using counterfeit

police

authority to call up information!"

"But it wouldn't be counterfeit police authority," said Jacqueline. "The

request

for data would be coming from Scotland Yard's computers, and they would be

receiving it directly."

"And feeding it straight to you," said Blood, "through a security link,

bypassing the police entirely! No, absolutely not. I can't allow it." He

rolled

his eyes in exasperation. "I don't even know what I'm doing here talking to

you

people! I'm supposed to be running an investigation! By rights, I ought to be

running you all in!" He shook his head and sighed. "I can't believe I'm doing

this.'