The Lost Symbol

Mal’akh retrieved the vial of Peter’s darkened blood and uncorked it. With his captive looking on, he dipped the nib of the crow’s feather into the crimson tincture and raised it to the sacred circle of flesh atop his head. He paused a moment. . thinking of how long he had waited for this night. His great transformation was finally at hand. When the Lost Word is written on the mind of man, he is then ready to receive unimaginable power. Such was the ancient promise of apotheosis. So far, mankind had been unable to realize that promise, and Mal’akh had done what he could to keep it that way.

With a steady hand, Mal’akh touched the nib of the feather to his skin. He needed no mirror, no assistance, only his sense of touch, and his mind’s eye. Slowly, meticulously, he began inscribing the Lost Word inside the circular ouroboros on his scalp.

Peter Solomon looked on with an expression of horror.

When Mal’akh finished, he closed his eyes, set down the feather, and let the air out of his lungs entirely. For the first time in his life, he felt a sensation he had never known.

I am complete.

I am at one.

Mal’akh had worked for years on the artifact that was his body, and now, as he neared his moment of final transformation, he could feel every line that had ever been inscribed on his flesh. I am a true masterpiece. Perfect and complete.

«I gave you what you asked for.» Peter’s voice intruded. «Send help to Katherine. And stop that file.»

Mal’akh opened his eyes and smiled. «You and I are not quite finished.» He turned to the altar and picked up the sacrificial knife, running his finger across the sleek iron blade. «This ancient knife was commissioned by God,» he said, «for use in a human sacrifice. You recognized it earlier, no?»

Solomon’s gray eyes were like stone. «It is unique, and I’ve heard the legend.»

«Legend? The account appears in Holy Scripture. You don’t believe it’s true?»

Peter just stared.

Mal’akh had spent a fortune locating and obtaining this artifact. Known as the Akedah knife, it had been crafted over three thousand years ago from an iron meteorite that had fallen to earth. Iron from heaven, as the early mystics called it. It was believed to be the exact knife used by Abraham at the Akedah — the near sacrifice of his son Isaac on Mount Moriah — as depicted in Genesis. The knife’s astounding history included possession by popes, Nazi mystics, European alchemists, and private collectors.

They protected and admired it, Mal’akh thought, but none dared unleash its true power by using it for its real purpose. Tonight, the Akedah knife would fulfill its destiny.

The Akedah had always been sacred in Masonic ritual. In the very first degree, Masons celebrated «the most august gift ever offered to God. . the submission of Abraham to the volitions of the supreme being by proffering Isaac, his firstborn. .»

The weight of the blade felt exhilarating in Mal’akh’s hand as he crouched down and used the freshly sharpened knife to sever the ropes binding Peter to his wheelchair. The bonds fell to the floor.

Peter Solomon winced in pain as he attempted to shift his cramped limbs. «Why are you doing this to me? What do you think this will accomplish?»

«You of all people should understand,» Mal’akh replied. «You study the ancient ways. You know that the power of the mysteries relies on sacrifice. . on releasing a human soul from its body. It has been this way since the beginning.» «you know nothing of sacrifice,» peter said, his voice seething with pain and loathing.

Excellent, Mal’akh thought. Feed your hatred. It will only make this easier.

Mal’akh’s empty stomach growled as he paced before his captive. «There is enormous power in the shedding of human blood. Everyone understood that, from the early Egyptians, to the Celtic Druids, to the Chinese, to the Aztecs. There is magic in human sacrifice, but modern man has become weak, too fearful to make true offerings, too frail to give the life that is required for spiritual transformation. The ancient texts are clear, though. Only by offering what is most sacred can man access the ultimate power.»

«You consider me a sacred offering?»

Mal’akh now laughed out loud. «You really don’t understand yet, do you?»

Peter gave him an odd look.