Page 51 of Girl, Unseen

‘Jesus. Anything else? Maybe I should do a Cockney walk while I’m at it.’

‘Cockney? What’s that?’

‘An area of London where criminals live.’ Luca tried his voice again, this time sounding marginally less like a cartoon wise guy. ‘Any better?’

‘Getting there. Just remember - Jersey's got soft Rs. Like you're too tired to finish the word.’

Luca shook off this new persona and assumed his normal self for a moment. ‘Look, if things get out of hand, I’m just going to start shooting. I shouldn’t need a mask and hair dye when I’ve got a gun on my hip.’

Felix jumped out of his seat. ‘No. Please don’t hurt any of them.’

‘What? These guys are sending you threatening letters and you’re worried about their safety?’

‘I know, but... Arrest them, sure. Just don’t kill any.’

Ella filed that little nugget of concern away for later. It was strange what indoctrination did to a person. She guessed there was an element of Stockholm Syndrome at play too.

‘I’ll try my best. What else do I need to know? I’m only doing this once, so make sure you give me every little detail.’

Felix shifted in his seat, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. But Ella had to give him credit – he was cooperating, even if it was under duress. Maybe there was hope for him yet.

‘There's a password. You gotta say it to Caleb. The guy on the door.’

‘Okay, what’s the password?’

‘Sanguine.’

‘Sanguine? Seriously?’

‘It's Latin,’ Ella said. ‘Means blood.’

Luca threw up his hands. ‘Fine. Sanguine it is. Then what?’

'Everyone files in. Forms a circle. Eight chairs, always arranged the same way.' Felix sketched the layout with his fingers on the table. 'Ezra stands in the middle. Sometimes, he draws symbols on the floor with chalk. Sometimes he just talks.'

‘About what?’

‘Everything. Nothing. Evolution. Transformation.’

‘Great. What if I have to take my hood down? Or remove this stupid mask?’

‘No. Members keep their disguises on the whole time. Only Ezra removes his. It’s like a removal of self. Like we’re all just numbers, not humans.’

Ella was beginning to itch. Was this a good idea? She wasn’t sure anymore.

‘In the meetings, I was usually the quiet one. Didn't say much, just kind of nodded along. But you gotta pay attention because Ezra might call on you, ask you something directly.’

‘What do I do if he asks me something specific about you?’

‘He won't,’ Felix said, shaking his head. ‘Me and him weren't close like that. He doesn't know me that well.’

Ella wasn't so sure. From her research, cult leaders made it their business to know everything about their followers. It was how they maintained control and kept people dependent. But she kept her doubts to herself. No need to rattle Luca any more than he already was.

‘And the other members? Will any ofthembe able to tell that I’m an imposter?’

'Not if you keep your hood up and mask on.' Felix scratched at his wrist, where the cuff had left a red mark. 'Number Three talks a lot. Real philosophical type. Number Five too, but different style. More aggressive. Number Six has a weird tic. Don’t mention it.’

Luca paced the room, decked in a pair of Felix's boots that they'd imported from his house. No detail was too small when you were infiltrating a cult. Luca glanced at Ella with a question in his eyes. She tilted her head towards the door. Luca nodded, then turned back to Felix. 'Sit tight. We'll be right back.'

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