Page 91 of Mercy Written in Blood

"This discussion is finished."

Haruki spoke before he reached it.

"I have copies."

Kael stopped. That had not been true ten seconds ago. Haruki felt Reina's gaze cut towards him. Ken went perfectly still. Ayako's expression did not change.

Kael turned slowly.

"Copies of what?"

"The tunnel photographs."

"We seized the devices used at the site."

"You seized the ones you knew about."

Kael crossed the room in two steps. The speed was almost invisible. One moment he stood near the door. The next his hands rested on the table opposite Haruki. Reina stepped between them. Ken reached inside his jacket.

Ayako said one word.

"Enough."

Everyone stopped.

Kael looked down at Haruki.

"Where are they?"

"Safe."

The lie settled more easily than Haruki expected.

"What do they show?"

"Ask your retrieval team."

"You do not understand the danger of what you are withholding."

"And you do not understand how poorly I respond to being ordered out of my own affairs."

Kael's eyes shifted. For one instant, Haruki saw something ancient beneath the controlled exterior. Not hunger. Not rage. Calculation. The Accord representative was deciding how far he could push without turning the entire Ishida Family against him. That meant Haruki had something of value. Even if the copies did not yet exist.

"What do you want?" Kael asked.

"Partnership."

"You are not equipped."

"Then equip us."

"No."

"Keep saying it. It hasn't worked so far."

Kael straightened.

"You will receive limited briefings."