only one of the six saw an inbound streak of yellow, too fast to permit a reaction. All three of the missiles hitthey could hardly miss a stationary targetand in each case the six-pound warhead functioned as designed. Less than five seconds after the first round had been fired, the towers were eliminated, and with them also the machine guns that protected the laser facility. The sentry to the Archers front died next. He hadnt a chance. Forty rifles fired on him at once, with half of the bursts connecting. Next the mortars fired ranging rounds, and the Archer used his radio to adjust the fire onto ray ban sunglasses frames what he thought was the guards barracks. The sound of automatic-weapons fire cannot be mistaken for anything else. Colonel Bondarenko had just decided that hed spent enough ray ban sunglasses frames time communing with a
arrivé. Deux minutes. An indecipherable confirmation came crackling back. The agent stowed the device, turning now to Langdon. You will meet the capitaine at the main entrance. The driv ray ban sunglasses frames er ignored the signs prohibiting auto traffic on the plaza, revved the engine, and gunned the Citro.n up over the curb. The Louvres main entrance was visible now, rising boldly in the distance, encircled by seven triangular pools from which spouted illuminated fountains. La Pyramide. The new entrance to the Paris Louvre had become almost as famous as the museum itself. The controversial, neomodern glass pyramid designed by Chinese-born American architect I. M. Pei still evoked scorn from traditionalists who felt it destroyed the dignity of the Renaissance courtyard. Goethe ha ray ban sunglasses frames d described architecture as
administered. It was The Way. He knew he had sacrificed much to follow Opus Dei, but he had received much more in return. A vow of celibacy ray ban sunglasses frames and the relinquishment of all personal ray ban sunglasses frames assets hardly seemed a sacrifice. Considering the poverty from which he had come and the sexual horrors he had endured in prison, celibacy was a welcome change. Now, having returned to France for the first time since being arrested and shipped to prison in Andorra, Silas could feel his homeland testing him, dragging violent memories from his redeemed soul. You have been reborn, he reminded himself. His service to God today had required the sin of murder, and it was a sacrifice Silas knew he would have to hold silently in his heart for all eternity. The measure of your faith is the measure of the pain you can
through this painting. I think you know how my grandfather would feel about that. Grouard felt dizzy. Please... no. Thats Madonna of the Rocks! He dropped his gun and radio, raising his hands over his head. Thank you, the woman said. Now do exactly as I tell you, and everything will work out fine. ray ban sunglasses frames Moments later, Langdons pulse was still thundering as he ran beside Sophie down the emergency stairwell toward the ground level. Neither of them had said a word since leaving the trembling Louvre guard lying in the Salle des Etats. The guards pistol was now clutched tightly in Langdons hands, and he couldnt wait to get rid of it. The weapon felt heavy and dangero ray ban sunglasses frames usly foreign. Taking the stairs two at a time, Langdon wondered if Sophie had any idea how valuable a painting she had almost ruined.
Langdon exchanged puzzled looks. Sophie leaned in and grabbed the box, lifting it out. My God, its heavy! She carried it gingerly to a large receiving table and set it down. Langdon stood beside her ray ban sunglasses frames , both of them staring at the small treasure chest ray ban sunglasses frames her grandfather apparently had sent them to retrieve. Langdon stared in wonderment at the lids hand-carved inlaya five-petal rose. He had seen this type of rose many times. The five-petal rose, he whispered, is a Priory symbol for the Holy Grail. Sophie turned and looked at him. Langdon could see what she was thinking, and he was thinking it too. The dimensions of the box, the apparent weight of its contents, and a Priory symbol for the Grail all seemed to imply one unfathomable conclusion. The Cup of Christ is in this wooden box. Langdon again
elaborate genealogy. Few people realize that Mary Magdalene, in addition to being Christs right hand, was a powerful woman already. Sophie could now see the title of the family tree. THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN Mary Magdalene is here, Teabing said, pointing near the top of the genealogy. Sophie was surprised. She was of the House of Benjamin? Indeed, Teabing said. Mary Magdalene was of royal descent. But I was under the ray ban sunglasses frames impression Magdalene was poor. Teabing shook his head. Magdalene was recast as a whore in order to erase evidence of her powerful family ties. Sophie found herself again glancing at Langdon, who again nodde ray ban sunglasses frames d. She turned back to Teabing. But why would the early Church care if Magdalene had royal blood? The Briton smiled. My dear child, it was not Mary Magdalenes royal blood that
men. Langdon had read descriptions of this ceremony and understood its mystic roots. Its called Hieros Gamos, he said softly. It dates back more than two thousand years. Egyptian priests and priestesses per ray ban sunglasses frames formed it regularly to celebrate the reproductive power of the female, He paused, leaning toward her. And if you witnessed Hieros Gamos without being properly prepared to understand its meaning, I imagine it would be pretty shocking. Sophie said nothing. Hieros Gamos is Greek, he continued. It means sacred marriage ray ban sunglasses frames . The ritual I saw was no marriage. Marriage as in union, Sophie. You mean as in sex. No. No? she said, her olive eyes testing him. Langdon backpedaled. Well... yes, in a manner of speaking, but not as we understand it today. He explained that although what she saw probably
over. Ive been trying to pull you back into safety for the last several hours. A warm wind was now pushing through the station as a train approa ray ban sunglasses frames ched with a low rumble. Sophie had every intention of being on it. Langdon apparently had the same idea; he was gathering himself together and moving toward her now. The man you want is Rémy Legaludec, Sophie said. He is Teabings servant. He just kidnapped Teabing inside the Temple Church and Agent Neveu! Fache bellowed as the train thundered into the station. This is not something to ray ban sunglasses frames discuss on an open line. You and Langdon will come in now. For your own well-being! That is a direct order! Sophie hung up and dashed with Langdon onto the train. CHAPTER 89 The immaculate cabin of Teabings Hawker was now covered with steel shavings and smelled of