Chastening of the Witch, Part 13
Date: 4/20/98
From: AngeliqueBouchard

Nicholas Blair sat in a cozy room he rented in the town of Collinsport. Although he had no intention of helping Angelique to face such a dangerous man as Judah Zachary, he was not one to run and hide. He decided to stay in Collinsport just to observe how everything unfolded.

A sudden uneasy feeling swept over Nicholas. He felt a nervousness he hadn't experienced since the first time he stood in the presence of Diabolos himself. "Judah Zachary," he whispered.

"Yes indeed," said Judah standing directly behind Nicholas. Swiftly turning around Nicholas came face to face with Judah's ugly sneer. "I understand Angelique has requested your help in fighting me. It was wise of you to decline." Judah stared menacingly at Nicholas. "You could not resist staying in town, however. Perhaps with the absurd belief that you could actually find a way to defeat me?"

"I was merely curious as to your plans," Nicholas said evenly, trying hard not to show his fear.

"My plans," Judah repeated. "Do you really think I believe your interest in me to be benign?" Judah studied Nicholas for a moment. "I will gladly tell you my plans. Then you can run to Angelique and tell her as well. It will only add to my pleasure to know she is suffering at the thought of her upcoming demise. Tomorrow night at midnight I hold a black mass and will destroy this body and claim another. Barnabas and Miranda will sell their souls and become my powerful disciples."

Nicholas knew the black mass well. "You spoke of Angelique's demise. Are you saying..."

"Yes. The blood sacrifice will be none other than Angelique and her worthless husband." Judah stepped closer to Nicholas. "I never fully understood your connection to Angelique. It is almost as if you are siblings rivaling for the master's approval, but with some unknown connection holding you to each other underneath."

"That is something even Diabolos won't disclose to you I see," said Nicholas taking some satisfaction that there were some things even the devil's son was not allowed to know.

Enraged, Judah stuck his face in Nicholas', "I have a new idea Nicholas. Why not inhabit your body for a while? I could do much with it."

"I have a better one. Why don't you leave here now?" Nicholas reached behind him into a wooden box on the bureau. He was not unprepared for a visit from Judah. He pulled out a Bible and thrust it into Judah's face. Judah cried out in pain and fell backwards. Nicholas' hands began to burn. Smoke rose as the Book seared his hands. He dropped it, not able to tolerate the pain.

Momentarily blinded and disoriented, Judah stumbled towards the door with his hands over his face. "You will regret this day!" he shouted before finally opening the door and leaving.

Nicholas ran to a bowl of water he had left out earlier. Steam rose from the bowl as he thrust his hands under the water. Nicholas stared down at his badly burnt hands and then at his pained expression staring back at him in the mirror. "If there is a way to destroy you Judah, I will find it!"

To Be Continued