“Tell me your name!” Amorth repeats, until finally she spits out a name: Asmodeus, a demon from scriptural lore.

“How many are you!” the priest demands, repeating the question as she grunts and shakes her head violently.

Finally, she responds defiantly: “We are five!”

Amorth begins making the sign of the cross on her forehead, prompting her to recoil. The chanting and blessings go on for several more minutes before Antonella calms down. Soon, she comes around as if from a dream. She opens her eyes and slumps in her chair.

After his bout with the demons, Amorth simply shrugs.

“That,” he said, “was a light one.”