Page 40 of The Human Element (The Human Element Collection #1)

There didn’t seem to be a floor she could visibly see, but she was able to walk easily forward.

After a moment she was afraid she wasn’t in the right place as there didn’t seem to be anything here at all, but then she saw it; a massive white structure like those of ancient Greece or Rome.

It was made of what looked like marble, with large columns that rose from floor to ceiling.

Lorelei thought it looked like many of the Roman pantheons she saw in history books and historical etchings in her father’s work at the museum.

She stood at the bottom of the stairs that led upwards to the entrance of the structure.

On either side stood a statue, the base similar to those of the pillars supporting the structure up, but it was topped with this strange geometric symbol.

At its core were six circles, one in the center and six others surrounding it like flower petals.

Connecting the 5 circles was a near star shape.

This pattern repeated again, a larger surrounding the original.

It spun and rotated, making it mesmerizing to watch.

She hadn’t realized the dark, silent figure that stood behind her. Lorelei turned to finally see Daemon, his bright green eyes standing out spectacularly in this place full of white. He raised an eyebrow at her and tilted his head toward the spinning shape.

“That’s the symbol for Metatron’s cube. Because of his ability to access his intuition, he is the keeper of the Akashic records.

He monitors all things here, and protects the information.

This cube is like a protection as well as the representation of all things.

It is the representation of the knowledge and unity of the Universe itself. ”

Lorelei looked once again at the symbol, and then turned to look around, wondering if Metatron was there watching them right now. Daemon walked forward and kissed Lorelei’s forehead softly, looking down to meet her eyes.

“I’m sorry the journey was so difficult for you.

I could feel your fear and anxiety, but each person has to make it past their own mind and challenges; they can’t be assisted once they have asked for access into the records.

Every person’s entry is different from another’s, as it is concocted out of each individual’s thoughts, their past experiences, biggest fears, dreams, nightmares, and current reality. ”

Lorelei tried to think back to what she even experienced but it felt like static in her mind.

“I don’t remember what happened before I got to the hallway to be honest.”

Daemon merely nodded.

“Yes, once you enter the records there's a form of amnesia you experience. It was Metatron’s way to be kind; some peoples struggles to get into the records can be quite brutal, almost traumatic and terrifying. He wanted everybody who could brave their minds enough to make it here, to be able to be free of what they experienced on their journey. He figured they could fully receive the information they were so desperate to seek without those negative emotions from their arrival here to block their minds as they move forward inside the records.”

Lorelei looked into Daemon’s eyes again, searching for a sign as to what his experience getting here was like.

Was his journey more terrifying and brutal?

She only knew tidbits of what he'd told her of his past, but nothing in detail.

She could only imagine what he saw as he made his way here.

She was also curious if the amnesia only affected humans, or if he got it as well.

Instead of asking, she turned to look up the stairway to the entrance of the building.

“I’m assuming what we need is in there?”

Daemon nodded, grabbing her hand, as they both started towards the steps, when a figure dressed all in white armor, fell in front of them, blocking their way.

Daemon pulled Lorelei back, away from the figure standing before them.

When Daemon acknowledged the figure, his voice was filled with a mixture of admiration, and fear.

“Good evening, Metatron. We have come for information.”

Metatron loomed above them, having the higher ground on the steps.

He was twice as tall as Daemon, with a floor length gown trimmed in gold, a golden plate of armor on his chest that attached to large shoulder protection Lorelei recognized as a pauldron, a type of armor that covers the shoulders and most of the back and chest. Pauldrons were popular in the 14th and 15th centuries, one of the many articles of history her father inspected and studied during his 20 years at the museum.

The ones Metatron donned were far superior to any she’d seen when her father worked.

They were made of pure gold, cascading down his shoulders in a way that resembled the shell of an armadillo.

It was both striking, and menacing to behold.

Metatron eyed them both, turning directly to Lorelei.

“Hello, Child of the Prophecy. You’ve made it to the Akashic Records.”