‘Do you know what projection is, Seraphine?’

Seraphine smiled. ‘They wanted me to test you, like they were tested.’ She looked around at the others in the room. ‘But I told them, She won’t take on the dare. She’s too in control. When it comes to – what is it Professor Dutton calls it? – the mixing desk of psychopathy, your impulsive, risk-taking traits are turned way down low. It’s why you hide so well. I’m the same and I’d never have taken up the dare. I, like you, am too evolved, too perfected. So this was the only way to draw you in and show you what you can be part of. You started this because you knew we were outstanding. We are the master race. We control everything from politics to business. We pull the strings. We start the wars and end the wars. We are already in charge. Join us and you’ll be free to be who you really are.’

Bloom watched Stuart take his phone from his jacket pocket, check the message on the screen and smile. It was the smug smile of a man who had obtained what he wanted and who knew he always would.

Seraphine continued talking. ‘I know you’re probably wondering why we’ve all gathered here. The truth is I wanted them to meet you. They’ve heard me talk about you so much and most of them have spent a good deal of time watching you. But I wanted them to see why you belong.’ She turned towards Denise. ‘Denise was the first to join me. When I saw her potential, I realized what you’d seen in me.’

Bloom took a look around the room again. ‘This is not all of you, I take it.’

‘Of course not. We are many strong, but those details are for later … and only if you join us.’ Seraphine rotated the pencil between her thumb and forefinger. ‘If you continue to deny the truth, I will be forced to take extra measures. I’ll find another way to prove it to you. It was only when I saw all that blood spreading in a glistening pool across the floor that I realized just how different I was. I wasn’t horrified like everyone else. I was fascinated. Wanna see?’

Bloom stared at Jameson’s body on the floor. She knew what she needed to do, but she didn’t want to do it. He would wake up soon and hear everything and she wouldn’t have a chance to explain. If this experience hadn’t ruined things between them already, what happened next in this dank, dark room undoubtedly would.

Seraphine stood up. ‘You’ll see, I promise. Once I do this, you’ll see.’

‘There’s no need,’ Bloom said, meeting Seraphine’s gaze.

The other woman studied Bloom and then a smile spread across her lips. ‘You’re admitting what you are?’