Page 262 of Mercy Written in Blood

"You do not know what they contain."

"Enough."

"That is how people justify reckless decisions."

"It is also how people begin necessary ones."

Haruki stood. The conversation had reached its useful limit. Sota remained seated.

"You asked us here to tell us disclosure is inevitable."

"No."

Haruki looked down at him. Sota lifted his gaze.

"I asked you here because inevitability is a comforting lie. It allows people to avoid choosing."

The wind moved through the open side of the pavilion. Leaves whispered along the edge of the pond. Sota rose. He was not tall enough to dominate the space. He did anyway. Not through force. Through certainty.

"The Unveiled are divided," he said. "Some want controlled disclosure. Some want a single undeniable act. Some want retaliation for centuries of hidden violence."

"And you?" Renji asked.

"I want the truth released in a way that leaves both humans and vampires enough time to decide what they become after."

"That is not possible," Renji said.

"Perhaps not."

Sota accepted the possibility calmly.

"But people who fear failure are not entitled to make ignorance permanent."

Haruki stepped towards the exit.

"We are finished."

"Not quite."

Ken rose again. Sota made no sudden movement. He simply looked at Haruki.

"You believe I asked for this meeting because I wanted to frighten you."

"I assumed you wanted something."

"I do."

"What?"

Sota's gaze moved from Haruki to Renji. For the first time, his composure seemed to carry something beneath it. Hope. That was more unsettling than anger would have been.

"You possess access we do not," he said. "Doctor Takahara can authenticate the Archive. You can protect the people who will be targeted when the records emerge."

Haruki stared at him.

"You think the Ishida Family will work for you."

"No."