DETAILS

Voiceover: Rev. Dawson – “On the lonely island of Maljardin, and evil mist rises around the mansion cursed for centuries and another unwilling guest of Jean Paul Desmond has met with death, drowned by mysterious forces in the tides that surround the island. To the servant Raxl this force is the lovely Erica returned from the grave.”

Raxl watches Dan’s burial from the window of the mansion and sees Erica reciting the prayers along with everyone else. She vows that Erica must be destroyed. Erica enters and Raxl tells her she knows what she has done and promises her that she will use her powers to ensure that she does not kill again. Looking Erica in the eye, Raxl vows to destroy her.

Suddenly, Erica feels weak and collapses in a chair, muttering that everyone hates her. Jean Paul enters and is concerned for Erica, but he attributes her condition to Erica’s grief over having just attended Dan’s burial. He tells Erica that all will be fine. Raxl brings Erica some rose water in the golden bowl. Shocked, Erica tells her to go away and take the bowl back to her room, never to touch it again. Raxl does not move, so Erica makes Jean Paul tell her to go. Raxl finally does so, and mockingly “apologizes” for upsetting Erica. After Raxl leaves, Erica tells Jean Paul that she no longer wants Raxl around, saying that she has accused her of awful things. She tells Jean Paul to send Raxl away as she is worried she will destroy her.

In the temple, Raxl holds the golden bowl and pleads with the Great Serpent to bring about Erica’s destruction. In the main hall, Holly enters and is immediately concerned about Erica. Jean Paul tells her that Erica is fine and that it was simply the stress of the burial that bothered her. Mrs. Marshall enters and tells Holly to go to her room and rest. Holly is hesitant, but Erica tells her to do what her mother says and she can visit with her in her room later. Mrs. Marshall is quite concerned at their apparent closeness.

Upstairs, in Erica’s room, Quito is searching for the source of her magic. Raxl tells him that they will search Holly’s room afterwards. Raxl warns Quito that Erica wants to take Holly’s soul to hell.

Later, in her room, Holly is asleep as her mother watches over her. The Reverend enters. Mrs. Marshall tells him that she wants to join with him to fight against Erica. She is convinced that Erica is possessed by the devil and wants her stopped before she corrupts Holly. She asks the Reverend to perform an exorcism. Pretending to be asleep, Holly listens to their conversation. The Reverend is not sure of what he believes and is concerned that he might not be able to perform an exorcism. Mrs. Marshall encourages him to try as he is the only one who can help.

Downstairs, Alison and Tim enter the main hall. Alison cannot believe that Dan is gone and worries that they will never be able to leave the island. Tim advises her to talk with Erica, but Alison is not sure, saying that Erica is not the sister she knew. Tim tells her that everyone is suspicious of Erica, but still insists that Alison should talk with her. Jean Paul calls Tim to discuss Erica’s portrait. Tim heads upstairs, telling Alison he will talk with Erica. Alone, Alison silently thanks Dan for trying to escape, and wishes he could rest somewhere other than Maljardin.

In the crypt, the Reverend is studying books and notes. Raxl enters and tells him that she is surprised that he is studying books filled with evil. She says that in her religion, to know the devil is to meet with him. The Reverend asks Raxl if Quito will take them to the mainland and Raxl says she cannot help now as she obeys Jean Paul and Quito obeys her. Resigned, the Reverend tells Raxl that he has no choice but to consort with demons. Raxl tells him that he will regret it.

Upstairs, Erica tells Jean Paul that she does not want her portrait painted but Jean Paul begs her. He asks Tim when he can begin, but Erica still refuses. She tells jean Paul that he must consider the feelings of the guests. Jean Paul says the portrait can be done in their room. Erica still refuses, telling Jean Paul that he doesn’t need the portrait as he has her. Tim asks if he can go, but Erica immediately refuses, saying she might change her mind. She tells Tim she will inspire him to paint, but not a portrait of her.

Erica tells Jean Paul that he must never listen to Raxl again. As Tim and Jean Paul go down for dinner, Erica speaks silently to herself, saying that no matter what Raxl does she will win as Jean Paul loves her. Later, Holly enters Erica’s room. Holly tells Erica that she knows something very important that she must tell her. She informs Erica that she is afraid for her as she overheard her mother and the Reverend talking about her wickedness. Erica tells Holly that if she were to live again she’d be just like Holly – blonde and youthful. Holly tells Erica that the Reverend and her mother say she is possessed by the devil and that they wish to perform an exorcism. Erica seems frightened at the prospect.

Downstairs, Jean Paul orders Raxl not to speak to Erica. Raxl tells him that she cannot obey this, as her duty is to protect the Desmond family. She insists that Erica is there to destroy. Jean Paul orders her to be quiet, telling her that there are no grounds for what she is saying. Raxl insists she saw Erica push Dan down into the waves. Jean Paul says it was just a drowning, but Raxl insists Dan was murdered. Jean Paul says nothing will take Erica away and he commands Raxl not to speak to anyone about this. He warns her not to take action against Erica. Raxl nods and leaves.

In her room, Holly hears the tingly music and, trancelike, says she will obey. Meanwhile, Erica sneaks downstairs and attempts to speak with Jacques. She tells him that he has helped her come to Maljardin and told her what she must do, but she needs him now. The painting remains silent. She tells Jacques that the Reverend is going to try and free her of his powers but she doesn’t want to be free as she loves him. However, he must tell her what to do. The portrait speaks and tells her that the man of God must die.

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