Page 33 of Mercy Written in Blood

Neither answered. Dr Kameda opened her equipment case.

"We should establish a clean path before anyone enters."

"Professor," Haruki said.

Minamoto finally looked at him. There was no excitement in his face now. Only something much closer to fear.

"How many people have seen the journal?"

"Everyone who entered the chamber."

"Read it?"

"No."

"You're certain?"

"As certain as I can be."

Minamoto turned back towards the darkness. Behind the broken wall, the journal waited on the table where it had rested for centuries. The professor removed one glove, then put it back on.

"Seal the tunnel behind us," he said.

Ken frowned.

"What?"

"No one else comes down."

Haruki watched him carefully.

"You said you didn't know what this was."

"I said I would not guess from photographs."

"And now?"

Minamoto stepped through the breach. The others followed. Haruki entered last.

One by one, the chamber lights came on. Stone shelves emerged. The ancient maps. The bones. The white lotus spread across the wall.

Professor Minamoto stood before the journal, staring down at its cracked leather cover. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.

"This should not exist."

Chapter Four

The Journal

Professor Minamoto did not touch the journal. That was the first thing Haruki noticed. For a man who had crossed the city after dark to examine an object he believed should not exist, the professor showed no urgency once he stood before it. He remained at the edge of the table, gloved hands held loosely at his sides, studying the cracked cover as though proximity alone might disturb something.

Dr Kameda moved first.

"Everyone back."

Her voice was quiet, but the chamber obeyed. Ken retreated towards the breach with the workers. Dr Endo shifted his equipment case against the wall. Professor Takeda stepped aside without argument.

Haruki stayed where he was. Kameda looked at him.