Vatican City — Monday, 4:17 a.m.
Cardinal Giovanni Bellini died sitting at his desk.
His cassock was open, his chest bare, and a mark identical to the one in Jerusalem
burned over his heart: the second seal, the red horse.
In his left hand he held an envelope sealed with red wax and the papal insignia.
At 6:00 a.m., Father Elías Torres, a Spanish Jesuit and expert in demonology, was
urgently summoned.
When he saw the body and the mark, he crossed himself twice.
He took out his phone and dialed a number he had used only once."Rebeca? This is Father Elías Torres. We met in Damascus, remember? I need you to
come to the Vatican. Right now."
The second seal had already broken.
A new message appeared from the blocked number:
"Father Elías, welcome to the game. Five remain."