The Lost Symbol

A billowing veil materializes around me, thickening and dimming the light, hiding the world from view. Suddenly time accelerates, and I am plunging into an abyss far darker than any I have ever imagined. Here, in the barren void, I hear a whispering. . I sense a gathering force. It strengthens, mounting at a startling rate, surrounding me. Ominous and powerful. Dark and commanding.

I am not alone here.

This is my triumph, my grand reception. And yet, for some reason, I am filled not with joy, but rather with boundless fear.

It is nothing like I expect.

The force is churning now, swirling around me with commanding strength, threatening to tear me apart. Suddenly, without warning, the blackness gathers itself like a great prehistoric beast and rears up before me.

I am facing all the dark souls who have gone before.

I am screaming in infinite terror. . as the darkness swallows me whole.

CHAPTER 123

Inside the National cathedral, dean galloway sensed a strange change in the air. he was not sure why, but he felt as if a ghostly shadow had evaporated. . as if a weight had been lifted. . far away and yet right here.

Alone at his desk, he was deep in thought. He was not sure how many minutes had passed when his phone rang. It was Warren Bellamy.

«Peter’s alive,» his Masonic brother said. «I just heard the news. I knew you’d want to know immediately. He’s going to be okay.»

«Thank God.» Galloway exhaled. «Where is he?»

Galloway listened as Bellamy recounted the extraordinary tale of what had transpired after they had left Cathedral College.

«But all of you are okay?»

«Recuperating, yes,» Bellamy said. «There is one thing, though.» He paused.

«Yes?»

«The Masonic Pyramid. . I think Langdon may have solved it.»

Galloway had to smile. Somehow he was not surprised. «And tell me, did Langdon discover whether or not the pyramid kept its promise? Whether or not it revealed what legend always claimed it would reveal?»

«I don’t know yet.»

It will, Galloway thought. «You need to rest.»

«As do you.»

No, I need to pray.

CHAPTER 124

When the elevator door opened, the lights in the temple room were all ablaze.

Katherine Solomon’s legs still felt rubbery as she hurried in to find her brother. The air in this enormous chamber was cold and smelled of incense. The scene that greeted her stopped her in her tracks.

In the center of this magnificent room, on a low stone altar, lay a bloody, tattooed corpse, a body perforated by spears of broken glass. High above, a gaping hole in the ceiling opened to the heavens.

My God. Katherine immediately looked away, her eyes scanning for Peter. She found her brother sitting on the other side of the room, being tended to by a medic while talking with Langdon and Director Sato.

«Peter!» Katherine called, running over. «Peter!»

Her brother glanced up, his expression filling with relief. He was on his feet at once, moving toward her. He was wearing a simple white shirt and dark slacks, which someone had probably gotten for him from his office downstairs. His right arm was in a sling, and their gentle embrace was awkward, but Katherine barely noticed. A familiar comfort surrounded her like a cocoon, as it always had, even in childhood, when her protective older brother embraced her.

They held each other in silence.

Finally Katherine whispered, «Are you okay? I mean. . really?» She released him, looking down at the sling and bandage where his right hand used to be. Tears welled again in her eyes. «I’m so. . so sorry.»

Peter shrugged as if it were nothing of consequence. «Mortal flesh. Bodies don’t last forever. The important thing is that you’re okay.»

Peter’s lighthearted response tore at her emotions, reminding her of all the reasons she loved him. She stroked his head, feeling the unbreakable bonds of family. . the shared blood that flowed in their veins.

Tragically, she knew there was a third Solomon in the room tonight. The corpse on the altar drew her gaze, and Katherine shuddered deeply, trying to block out the photos she had seen.