Carole Gill's Book Blog: All Pacts Lead to Hell!

Child murderer, Gilles de Rais, who rode with Joan of Arc

Gilles de Rais appears in Unholy Testament - The Beginnings as well as a short story. What follows is an excerpt about the monstrous, Gilles de Rais and his delusion regarding damnation. The demon, Eco tells of his encounter with this man. Eco is my favorite character. He's an intelligent demon. Sometimes evil and depraved but always honest. It is his punishment:

Excerpt: "It is I, your servant, Eco once again with an accounting of the ﬁnal judgement of a certain man that I myself witnessed–an individual who dishonestly made a pact with Satan. By the way, if there are any apologists for this man, then I can only say this: I heard his confession from the man’s own lips.

Gilles de Rais was his name, former aide to Joan of Arc and a notorious child murderer.

His castle and its grounds were ﬁlled with the mutilated remains of children savagely killed. Children had in fact been vanishing for years, but nothing was done. You see at this time in France a noble could rather do as he wished as long as peasants were the only ones being victimized.

de Rais used his servants and cousin to snatch the objects of his sexual depravity whenever he liked. Still on occasion he grew bored. At such times he’d over spend. He was very extravagant and regularly found himself in need of money. Like so many at the time he believed alchemy was the answer to money worries. He was told of a famous sorcerer who could turn water into gold. That is what drove him to contact the renowned Francois Prelati. Prelati was more than willing when he saw de Rais’ opulent lifestyle.

“Of course it is possible,” he said. “However, in order to do this my lord—a demon must be summoned from hell and in order for that to happen, I will have to write my spells in a book using the blood of children!”

The corpses of children were never far away and the request was cheerfully granted. Prelati was given more than enough children’s blood with which to write the book of spells for the summoning. He was also given other assorted grisly items for sacriﬁce. Prelati was pleased. “Now for the ﬁnal requirement–the pact. You must hold a parchment wherein you have stated your pledge to give Satan your soul!” de Rais agreed and the ceremony went on. What Prelati never realized was deRais had stipulated he would do anything, but he would not give up his soul!

The cheek! I mean really! I ﬁnd that rather distasteful though I am of demonic origins myself. But one has to recognize truth when one comes upon it. Eventually, de Rais was arrested for something else entirely–the child murders were discovered accidentally. The result, however, was a trial. Satan and I saw him during his trial. We were passing ourselves off as Papal Emissaries which was rather fun.

The court was incensed by de Rais’ contempt. He was hostile and condescending. When the court adjourned for a two-day break, Satan and I visited him. During those two days both Satan and I spoke to him.

A great deal can be accomplished under such circumstances! When court resumed, he returned contrite and pled for his entry back into the church. He confessed and said his one desire was to face his death bravely. Any nobility he had lost he was intent on recouping. He did of course foolishly believe the clerics who said he was forgiven and would enter heaven!

You see they may believe that to be the case, but in the last analysis, it is up to the old man there and we all know God isn’t a push over. If you think God forgives all manner of sin then take another scan through the Old Testament. I know where of I speak. I am the son of a fallen angel and let me tell you right now, there are those who immediately regretted siding with Lucifer and sought forgiveness. Their answer was eternal damnation, not forgiveness! When the end came, I saw de Rais go bravely to his death.

He wished to set an example to the others who were condemned with him: his cousin and some servants. Prelati managed to get off with his life but that was only temporary. As for de Rais, Satan and I were there to greet him when he reached hell.

“It is you!” he cried when his eyes beheld Satan. “Yes,” Satan answered. “And now you are mine, for it is only right!” If he looked horriﬁed then, he looked worse as the legion of demons began to descend on him–pinching and tormenting him.

“I have been damned!” he cried.

“For all time!” Satan replied. “You see in a way I am God’s heavy. I punish those who are not worthy of heaven. But also–!” he added, “I don’t like to be made a fool of!

Pact indeed, how dare you presume to hold back your soul from me?!” I winced to see the terrible pain and suffering that began to be inﬂicted upon this man. “Yes,” Satan cried. “A pact is a pact. There is no going back, no codicils here! Hell is not a court of law, there is no bargaining. Your sins are the currency that earns you damnation!” ‘Such is the word of Satan—Lord to all who are damned by deed whether or not they think they shall be.’

Eco—your servant in Hell.

Eco is featured in ‘Unholy Testament - The Beginnings,’ the sequel to‘The House on Blackstone Moor (where he made his debut) as well as 'Unholy Testament - Full Circle; and the fourth book in The Blackstone Vampire Series, 'The Fourth Bride.'

He was awarded best villain in the 2014 efestival of words for The House on Blackstone Moor and the book received best horror award.