Wow ... the only story I know that bears a remote resemblance to that was Vlad the Impaler in the 13th century ... a truly mean man who impaled others who displeased him. It was said that he was the son of the devil himself, and that he would have to be impaled through the heart to actually die ... it only requires that I tell you that in the old Romantic language that the devil was called "Draco" to tell you what story this is and how long it has haunted European imagination...
So, yes, you're running with Bram Stoker for weirdness on this one ... well done!