The rain continued falling over Jerusalem as Jacob descended the hill surrounding the
Monastery of Saint Sabbas. The echo of the wind between the ancient walls reminded
him that every stone in that place held a story—and many of them were stained with
blood.
Father Elias awaited them in a narrow corridor lit only by two oil lamps.
"The fourth seal…" he whispered, handing him a manuscript wrapped in a blackened
cloth. "It should have never existed."
Jacob opened it with extreme care. The parchment was written in a mix of ancient
Hebrew and Coptic. The first lines described Thánatos, the manifestation of physical
death.
"Is this real?" Sara asked as she approached.
"More real than we would like," Elias replied. "Whoever bears it brings death without
the need to touch. Their presence alone is enough."
Robert swallowed hard.
"Are you talking about the killer?"
"No." Elias shook his head slowly. "I'm talking about what accompanies him."
Jacob felt the weight in the air. A subtle pressure, as if an ancient shadow were
watching from some corner of the monastery.
"We must find him before he activates the fifth seal," Jacob said.
"Not just find him…" Elias corrected. "You must prevent him from using the text still
hidden in the catacombs."
Three seals had been opened. The fourth was in the killer's hands. Time was beginning
to run out.