She took no notice of him, but shrank back on the bed, as though something monstrous was coming at her. She screamed, throwing her hands over her face.
Wilhelm’s heart raced and the hair on the back of his neck tingled, sending a crawling sensation across his shoulders. He turned to Geruscha. “What is it?” Had Moncore done as he’d boasted? Had he driven her mad with his potion? Had he sent demons to torment her?
Frau Geruscha’s face was stricken and pale. She put her face so close that Rose couldn’t avoid seeing her. “Rose. What is it? What’s wrong? Rose, look at me. Rose.” Frau Geruscha persisted. “Do you see me?”
Rose half-gasped, half-sobbed as she finally made eye contact with Frau Geruscha. Then she seemed to try to talk, opening her mouth. Nothing came out at first, then a few sounds that could have passed for words—if they had made any sense.
What could be terrifying her? It was as though she were having a nightmare, but her eyes were wide open. She saw something that Wilhelm and Geruscha could not see. But what?
Wilhelm leaned toward Frau Geruscha, his brain bursting with anxiety. “Don’t you have some herb, some remedy to help her?”
Rose screamed again. Dear God, he couldn’t bear it! There had to be something he could do besides stand around helpless, watching her suffer, hearing her scream.
Frau Geruscha turned suddenly and grabbed Wilhelm’s arm. Her
eyes grew wide. “Demons. That fiend said he would demonize her. There must be demons in the room.”
“Why can’t we see them?”
“Perhaps she can see them because of the poison Moncore gave her.”
He drew nearer to Rose. She shuddered and shrank back, her face full of horror. He grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him. “It’s me. Rose, don’t look at me like that. I won’t let them hurt you.”
He looked around the room and shook his fists. He glanced back at Geruscha. “How do I fight demons?”
“You must cast them out.”
“How?”
“The name of Jesus. He gave us authority over the demons. Command them in the name of Jesus to leave.”
Wilhelm searched the room again, trying to follow Rose’s gaze, to see the evil spirits that were tormenting her. But he saw nothing, only felt an eerie presence that made his skin crawl as if covered with a thousand spiders.
Clasping Rose’s hand, he said, “In the name of Jesus, I command you demonic spirits to get away from this maiden, now.” His voice echoed through the room.
Rose’s breath rasped in her throat. Her expression seemed calmer, but her eyes continued darting around the room. She suddenly fixed her gaze on a back corner of the chamber and pointed, shrinking back.
Dear God! They were still there. Wilhelm scanned the room. “Show yourselves!” He shook his fists at them. But he had no power against them. Except of course the power of Jesus’ name. He was a child of God, so that gave him the power and protection of Jesus, didn’t it? Perhaps the demons couldn’t really hurt her, they could only scare her. He then remembered a verse from the Bible, which spoke of a believer’s ability to cast out any demon in his name. He had commanded the demons to leave her alone. Maybe he just needed to cast them out of the entire region.
“In the name of Jesus, I cast you out, demons! I command you by the power of Jesus to leave this room, this castle, and this region forever.” His flesh still crawled but he felt suddenly invincible. And he knew. In the name of Jesus was more power than Moncore could ever dream of.
He turned his attention on Rose. Her eyes swept the room again, but she looked peaceful. She slumped back onto the pillow and closed her eyes, her face pale.
Frau Geruscha leaned her head down until her ear almost touched Rose’s mouth. Her eyes met Wilhelm’s. “She’s sleeping.” Geruscha picked up the cup.
He sank to the floor on his knees and held Rose up while the frau gave her water. This time she swallowed without retching. She drank without opening her eyes, and Wilhelm placed her back on the pillow.
He watched the ever-so-slight rise and fall of her chest. He wanted to pick her up and never let her go. God, I pray that the potion will not hurt her any more. Help her wake up, God.
He glanced up at Frau Geruscha. “Will she live?”
The frau sighed. “I hope so. She expelled a lot of the poison, so that is good. We shall have to wait and see if she awakens.”
He let out a deep, calming breath, then clasped his hands tightly in front of his chest. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. “O God, you are mighty. We are witnesses of your great power. Oh, Jesus, thank you. Your name has cast out the demons from this place.” He paused, unable to go on for a moment. A dry sob escaped him. “Please don’t let her die. Block the poison from hurting her. Don’t let her die, God. Save her from this poison.”