Page 258 of Mercy Written in Blood

"I believe people with power often redefine catastrophe as anything that diminishes their authority."

Renji held his gaze.

"You include the Takahara."

"I begin with them."

Haruki became still. Sota's expression did not change.

"The Takahara proved coexistence was possible," he continued. "Not harmonious. Not without conflict. But possible. Humans participated in law. Feeding required consent. Violence by vampires could be judged as violence rather than privilege."

"You have read the journal," Renji said.

"Parts of it."

"How?"

"I helped recover it."

The words settled heavily. Renji's fingers tightened against his knee.

"You were at the Archive."

"Not when the historians were attacked."

"You knew where it was."

"Yes."

"Why allow the records to remain hidden?"

"We did not."

"You revealed fragments."

"To people capable of authenticating them."

"And they died."

Sota looked down at his tea.

"Yes."

The grief seemed genuine. Haruki distrusted it because of that.

"Who killed them?" Renji asked.

"I do not know."

"You expect us to believe you can arrange meetings inside public gardens, place supporters within institutions and obtain records concealed for centuries, yet you cannot identify the people murdering your historians?"

"I know who benefits."

"That is not the same thing."

"No."

"Who?"