‘It was established in 1922 by the British-American occultist Alice Bailey, a fellow member of the Great White Brotherhood along with none other than our old friend Aleister Crowley, yet again. She was a disciple of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, the founder of the Theosophy movement and allegedly a big influence on Hitler’s obsession with the occult, credited with having once said “It is Satan who is the God of our planet, and the only God”. The Lucifer Publishing Company’s purpose was to disseminate, shall we say, esoteric literature to its growing army of followers. Within just a couple of years, Alice Bailey subtly altered the name of her organisation, to deflect the negative attention it had received from mainstream religious circles. I guess the wider world wasn’t ready for Lucifer quite yet. The organisation’s new name was the Lucis Trust. You may have heard of it.’

‘Are you saying it still exists today?’ Ben asked.

‘Indeed it does, except it’s grown massively in scope from its original concept and now enjoys NGO status within the framework of the United Nations, as well as close links with some of the most powerful and wealthy figures in the world. Past trustees have reportedly included the business magnate John D. Rockefeller, the richest American of all time, and other notables. Dare to draw too much public attention to the uncomfortable fact that the trust was originally named after Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness, and you’ll soon find the lawyers and the censors descending on you like a pack of yipping hyenas.’

‘Talking from experience?’

‘Some folks get all jumpy when you speak the truth,’ Shelton said. ‘Ostensibly, it comes across as a disarmingly wacky and innocuous New Age organisation, albeit one with some surprisingly lofty connections. Devotees pray a “Great Invocation” and take part in spirit triangles, pagan festivals and moon rituals. One of their illustrious former members, a one-time US Secretary of Defense, was said to worship the full moon on the banks of the Potomac. Why on earth would the UN want to associate themselves with something so flaky? You may well ask. But I’m more interested in other details, such as the fact that at one time, the trust was allegedly headquartered at 666 United Nations Plaza, in New York City.’

Wolf raised an eyebrow. ‘666. Number of the Beast.’

‘I’m sure it’s just a coincidence, of course. Just like the fact that their website also features interesting quotations from certain followers of the teachings of Alice Bailey. One in particular, who’s also cited as having written “No one will enter the New World Order unless he or she will make a pledge to worship Lucifer.” Elsewhere he wrote, “Lucifer comes to give to us a gift of wholeness. If we accept it, then he is free and we are free.”’

‘Nothing to do with Lucifer, then,’ Wolf commented wryly.