Nikolas recounts how two hundred years ago, he stopped Casanova from signing a devilish contract with Sombre:
(Nikolaus) “He knows who I am, which clues me to his true identity. I've heard of an Italian painter who, according to legend, sold his soul to the devil.”
“Gerolamo Sinistrari? But he died more than a century ago.”
“You shouldn't have interfered, Nikolaus.”
(Sombre's golden miniatures attack Nikolaus.) “Ah! Damned toys!”
“You've seen the extent of my power. Sign, old man, and you will be a different man.”
“The temptation is strong, but, all things considered... I think not. Take back your contract, Sombre.”
“In that case, I leave you to your melancholy, you old fool!” (With a flourish of his arm, Sombre and his golden treasures vanish.)
“Excellent choice, Giacomo. I always knew that deep down you were of good character, sir.”
“I hope I don't regret it. My youth, was he really capable of...?”
“It can't be much of a gift if he's traveling the world trying to get rid of it. That being the case, you would have been offering your services to a much more terrible master than Count Waldstein, my friend. Come; the Prague night has just begun. I'll introduce you to some women.”
“Gladly. But please let them be flesh and blood, Nik.”
(Back to present day with Harlan, Nikolaus, and Caleb Lost) “Is that a true story?”
“Do I look like the type who tells lies? Sombre wanted to sell my friend Giacomo Casanova to a prince of hell, just as Sonderling tried to do with you.”
“To Nergal?” (One of the princes of Hell in question)
“Probably... if Sinistrari, Sombre, and Sonderling are the same person. Now he's back in Prague, and you're still the target, Harlan Draka.”
Indeed, Jérôme and Gerolamo and Heironymus are three different spellings of the same name. The golden treasure which Nikolaus shows to Harlan means that Sonderling, the antagonist from Dampyr #23, has resurfaced for another round of mischief.
