Dominique and Henri had been married about six months, when she decided she needed to intercede on her daughter’s behalf. Ever since the accident when Nicole had fallen and lost consciousness, she had behaved in a way that was not in keeping with her character. While the whirlwind of her courtship and marriage to Henri had taken all of Dominique’s attention, she was no longer able to dismiss her worries about her daughter.
The more she saw of her child’s behavior, the more frightened Dominique became. Nicole’s actions varied with her audience, she was like a chameleon, changing to appeal to the target of her intention. Her behavior was so manipulative. When she was in the presence of the Abbot, her behavior held a thinly veiled charge of sexual electricity. Around Henri, she was the sad child, lonely and tormented by her peers, appealing to the protector in his character. With her mother, Nicole played on her worry over her health concerns. She was damaged and dependent, in need of healing and care.
Before the accident, she had been guileless and while she had kept a lot of her pain to herself, Nicole had never displayed this level of corrupt manipulation. What could have caused such a change? The Bible is filled with admonitions about demons and possessions. Dominique was not given to such notions, those ideas did not fit with the theology that she embraced, but maybe she was wrong about the existence of such evil beings.
She had tried to talk to Henri about it but he thought she was worrying needlessly. She was just a young person who had suffered and was lonely—nothing more. But his placations did little to calm Dominique’s worries. She had never known how to reach Nicole and it was becoming increasingly difficult. Finally, Dominique, in desperation, went to search out the counsel of the Abbot.
He was, after all, her biological father and perhaps had some insight into the cause of her problems. It really had not occurred to Dominique that the behavior Nicole had displayed was exactly like the characteristics of her father. Deciding it was best not to tell Henri she was going to speak with the Abbot, Dominique quietly left the cottage in search of her advisor.
He was in the small chapel preparing for a service when she found him. After so much time trying to avoid contact with this man, it was strange now to be seeking his advice. She started haltingly, “Good Afternoon, Father. Might I have a word with you, regarding…umm, Nicole?”
He had not seen much of Dominique since her marriage to Henri, something he had not been very pleased about, but had to admit she looked happy. “Of course, what seems to be the problem?” He was quite shocked and frankly, pleased, that she had sought out his counsel.
“Well, I have been concerned about her behavior since her accident, she seems…different.” Dominique began, not sure how to broach the subject of demons. “Do you believe something could have happened to her during that accident? I fear she may have been possessed!” Dominique blurted out, crying and letting out her fears for the first time. Sobbing, she managed, “I just don’t recognize her any longer. She behaves like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before – could it be demons?”
Taking Dominique by the shoulders and gently leading her to the pews, the Abbot considered his response. “I will tell you that last fall I saw something that, frankly, scared me. It did seem to me she had been possessed by the demon, Jezebel. I said nothing to you because I thought better of that assessment later. She is just a child, but she is a troubled child, nonetheless. Does Henri agree with your misgivings?" She calmed herself and continued, “No, he thinks she is lonely.”
“But you don’t believe that is all that is going on with her, correct?” The Abbot continued. He certainly wouldn’t mind driving a wedge between Dominique and Henri. Dominique answered, “I am afraid, I’ve never believed in demons or the like, you know that. But she is not my Nicole—I don’t know who she is!” She was frantic and this was out of her control, a place she did not like to be.
“Alright, if you feel strongly about it, I can perform an exorcism. I have been called upon to perform them before. We could do it as part of our next Confraternity meeting, that way Henri will never know what is going on. He has shunned our little brotherhood so he will be none the wiser. How does that sound?” Dominique felt a little better about it, perhaps she could leave this up to the Abbot, as it was his area of expertise.
Dominique decided it would do no harm to have Nicole participate in one of the Confraternity ceremonies and perhaps the Abbot could actually help her. It was decided that they would perform the exorcism soon, as Nicole’s ninth birthday approached. If this went according to plan, it would happen in early October and Henri would be away. Dominique hated doing this behind his back but she feared for her child’s spirit and he was just never going to understand.
Nicole was told that she was to be participating in one of the Abbot’s church plays. She was already aware that her mother was called upon to act in his plays sometime and this made her feel special. The exorcism would happen in the grounds of the small chapel where there was an outdoor altar, probably used ages before for sacrifice. It was all set.
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Henri was, in fact, away on the evening they had designated for the exorcism. Nightfall had descended early, leaving the air feeling colder because of the threat of rain in the heavy mist. Wearing his dark brown robe, the Abbot mentally prepared himself for the role of exorcist as he approached the chapel.
Nicole skipped ahead of him, completely unaware of the true nature of the “play” in which she was to perform. The Abbot pulled her to him and tried to explain a little of what she could expect in the churchyard. They entered the small chapel, lit only by flickering candles, and sat together on one of the pews. Although, the Abbot had explained that others would be joining them. The sight of the masked congregation entering through the rear of the chapel carrying candles and chanting was extremely frightening. Nicole decided maybe she did not want to act in this play, after all.
Back at their cottage, Dominique paced and waited nervously for them to return. When the door opened, she was shocked to see Henri. Leaving early, so that he could surprise them for Nicole’s birthday, he did not expect for Dominique to look so stricken at the sight of him. “What is wrong, Dominique, where is Nicole?” He seemed to know instinctively that Nicole was involved somehow.
“I’m sorry, I know it is not what you wished but you don’t know her like I do. There is something terribly wrong! The Abbot is going to perform an exorcism tonight. Nicole thinks it is a play that the Confraternity is performing.”
“My God, woman, she is just a child! Do you have any idea how many manipulative women reside in the Royal Court?” He thundered, “If they are all possessed then I daresay we are all living in Hell!” Seeing the anger on his face, she backed away and stammered, “Can you forgive me going behind your back? I am sorry, I didn’t know what else to do…” before she could finish her thought, Henri had stormed out the door, leaving it wide open.
Nicole, dressed in a gauzy white tunic, shivered as much from the chill as from the fear that gripped her heart. The Abbot held her on her back on the cold marble altar top. He held his cross aloft and mumbled his prayer, over and over. He raised his cross in two hands and began his litany in clear, slow tones.
Crux sancta sit mihi lux
Non dra co sit mihi dux
Vade retro satana
Numquam suade mihi vana
Sunt mala quae libas
Ipse venena bibas
His left hand deftly pulled the shaft of the cross down to reveal a lethally sharp blade and he shouted, “Get thee behind me, Jezebel!”
Nicole’s eyes flew open wide as she screamed and struggled beneath the hands that held her captive on the altar. The knife perched inches above her heart, her scream pierced the palpable silence of the chapel. Just then, a strong hand shot out from the Abbot’s right side, grabbing his wrist. So immersed in their ceremony, no one had noticed Henri’s entrance into the chapel.
“What the bloody hell are you doing?” Henri rasped, his grip tightening on the Abbot making him let go of the knife. Henri’s left fist shot out and caught the Abbot’s jaw, knocking him to the ground. “Have you completely lost your mind? Good God, man, she is just a child! I am warning you, Ian, you stay away from my family or it will be my turn to exorcise your demons!” His face, red and angry, made the Abbot cower further.
“Henri,” he pleaded, “you do not understand what you are dealing with. If, in fact, she has been possessed by the demon, Jezebel, then you will live to regret stopping me. Mark my words, she will wreak havoc in your lives.”
Shaking his head at this nonsense, Henri walked past the Abbot to retrieve a terrified Nicole from the cold, dark cemetery where she had escaped to during the commotion and now hid trembling.