Chapter 108

           InthesplitsecondittookLangdontotakeinhissurroundings,herealizedhewasinasacredplace.Theembellishmentsintheoblongroom,thougholdandfaded,wererepletewithfamiliarsymbology.Pentagramtiles.Planetfrescoes.Doves.Pyramids.

           TheChurchofIllumination.Simpleandpure.Hehadarrived.

           Directlyinfrontofhim,framedintheopeningofthebalcony,stoodtheHassassin.Hewasbarechested,standingoverVittoria,wholayboundbutverymuchalive.Langdonfeltawaveofrelieftoseeher.Foraninstant,theireyesmet,andatorrentofemotionsflowed—gratitude,desperation,andregret.

           "Sowemeetyetagain,"theHassassinsaid.HelookedatthebarinLangdon’shandandlaughedoutloud."Andthistimeyoucomeformewiththat?"

           "Untieher."

           TheHassassinputtheknifetoVittoria’sthroat."Iwillkillher."

           LangdonhadnodoubttheHassassinwascapableofsuchanact.Heforcedacalmintohisvoice."Iimagineshewouldwelcomeit…consideringthealternative."

           TheHassassinsmiledattheinsult."You’reright.Shehasmuchtooffer.Itwouldbeawaste."

           Langdonsteppedforward,graspingtherustedbar,andaimedthesplinteredenddirectlyattheHassassin.Thecutonhishandbitsharply."Lethergo."

           TheHassassinseemedforamomenttobeconsideringit.Exhaling,hedroppedhisshoulders.Itwasaclearmotionofsurrender,andyetatthatexactinstanttheHassassin’sarmseemedtoaccelerateunexpectedly.Therewasablurofdarkmuscle,andabladesuddenlycametearingthroughtheairtowardLangdon’schest.