Page 280 of Mercy Written in Blood

"You say it as though that makes it reassuring."

"It does not."

Renji examined the impressions. The larger belonged to a vampire; the channels surrounding it had been cut to receive blood directly from the palm. The smaller print required human warmth. Pulse. Living contact. The mechanism was not built for one species. It would not open for one.

Akiko looked at the second imprint.

"We need a human."

"No," Renji said.

Haruki's gaze moved towards him. Akiko lowered the tablet.

"The outer seal required mixed blood. This likely does as well."

"I am aware."

"Then unless Masato walks through that passage—"

"No."

Renji's voice sharpened. The chamber seemed to tighten around it. Haruki said nothing. Akiko studied Renji for several seconds, then looked towards Haruki. Understanding arrived.

"No," Renji repeated.

Haruki stepped beside him.

"You haven't asked me."

"I will not."

"Why?"

"Because we do not know what the seal does."

"It opens the wall."

"That is its intended function."

"What else could it do?"

"Preserve memory. Assess lineage. Extract blood. Kill an unauthorised person."

Kael shifted in the passage. Haruki looked at the handprint.

"Would your family have built something that killed humans?"

"Yes."

The answer surprised Akiko. Not Haruki. Renji continued before either could respond.

"If they believed the Archive would be used to harm those it protected, they would have defended it."

"Would they have killed Masato?" Haruki asked.

"No."

"Then the human side was built for someone they trusted."