Page 454 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

it? It was obvious that Caraffa planned to do something to avoid Anna’s influence. But
what could that be? Regrettably only his sharp mind knew that. I fell into a stupor,
unable to make up my mind to undertake further steps. I only hoped that Sever would
appear soon...

But he failed to do that. It was getting dark. Restless I passed the night imagining
the worst. Only the hope that Anna still lived was throbbing in my horror-filled brain.
Caraffa was going to torture her to break me. Therefore he would certainly find it
senseless to torture Anna in secret. He wanted to hurt exactly me, and that gave me a
tiny hope of seeing her once again…
The morning came.

I was unable to fall asleep the whole night long and felt tired and devastated.
Uncertainty drove me mad preventing me from relaxing and thinking clearly.
Anna did not answer my calls. Most likely Caraffa put his protective shield on her. But
in my heart I knew that my girl was still alive.
Caraffa came in the late morning. To my surprise, he looked tense like an arrow
ready to be released. His dictatorial eyes looked at me with prickly attention, as if
deciding my sad fate right now.

– Come with me, Madonna! You will have to see a very unpleasant show. And it’s
totally your guilt, you know! I asked you to think, but you thought too long. I don’t have
any time left. I am sorry.
For some reason Caraffa was extremely angry. Something disturbed his sharp
mind, but it was not fear of not getting what he desired. It was another thing which I
could not catch yet. But he was obviously angry and nervous, giving me no time to
understand what it was.

We came down to the familiar basement. Nothing changed there. People screamed
like before. It smelled of death like before. And the blood froze in my veins in horror
like before.
– Before we enter there, I would like to ask you once again, Isidora, whether
you’ve changed your decision. – Caraffa whispered fixing his black eyes on me. – I
would not like to torture Anna. Her life is very valuable. Don’t you really feel sorry for
her?
I gathered everything that was left of my wounded courage and tried to calm my
trembling voice preparing an answer. I was on the verge of fainting. The body refused
to obey. My weakness killed me. I was terribly afraid to see what was hidden behind
the heavy door. I was not sure I could bear what the "holy" Pope had prepared for me.

– Of course, Holiness, I feel sorry for Anna... – I whispered in reply. – Like I feel
sorry for all the ruined wonderful lives which have already passed… and for those
which will pass... I am unable to understand you, Caraffa and, I think, nobody will...
But believe me you’ll have to pay very dearly for everything you’ve done.
– Oh, my dearest Isidora! It won’t happen today! – Caraffa laughed. – And I shall
think about what will happen in the future when it comes.

He turned a rusty key in the lock and slowly pushed the heavy door...
I saw a soul-freezing picture. In the middle of a small stone room Anna sat in a

Back to content

453