[Scene V. In a temple on the edge of the city.]

Simonetta is bound before an altar.

Simonetta (angry, breathless): Release me immediately!

She struggles, but can't get free.

Dark laughter is heard from the shadows.

Lina comes forward.

Simonetta (angry, breathless): You! Where hast thou taken me?

Lina laughs again.

Lina: We have brought thee to our temple, where thou shalt be sacrificed.

Simonetta: Thou art mad!

Lina: 'Tis no foolishness of mine that brought thee here. 'Twas the fault of thyself.

Simonetta (confused): Mine own?

Philomena: Indeed, thou art a demon.

She steps from the shadows. Her voice is high and strained.

Philomena: Thou art nothing more than a vile serpent.

Simonetta: What have I done to thee?

She doesn't reply, only circles to the altar.

Simonetta (louder): What have I done to thee?

Philomena (angrily): Silence thyself!

She turns, smacking Simonetta, who falls to the floor.

Philomena: Thou hast defiled our laws, thou hast taken the heart of one engaged to another. Thou art a villain, and therefore thou shalt pay!

She turns, taking a knife from the altar. Its blade is red.

Simonetta screams.

Lina: Hold! 'Tis not time!

Philomena pauses and looks at her.

Lina: We must wait 'till the moon be high, for only then shall our magic take effect.

Philomena: So thou hast spoken, so it shall be.

The knife falls from her hand.

Philomena: But midnight shall see her death.

Lina (bowing): As you wish, milady.

She slips into the shadows.

Simonetta: What dost thou have planned? What dost thou plan to do with me?

Philomena: Thou hast lived in shame. Thou hast taken the blood of man. This night you shall pay for your crimes, this night you die.

Simonetta: Thou must understand. They have tricked thee!

Philomena (coldly): Your words fall upon deaf ears. I shall hear none from thee.

Simonetta (insistently): They have tricked thee! You must go!

Philomena: Silence!

She strikes Simonetta, who falls unconscious. She then leaves.