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The room is all shades of gray and black with a bright white bed and pillows. It is almost like I’ve had a stroke and can only see in black and white.
The door clicks shut, and I turn around, my back to the far wall. I don’t want to give anyone the opportunity to sneak up on me.
“Welcome,” the man says. “My name is Edgar, and I will be your guide this weekend. I am here to answer questions, assist you through the process, and fill any reasonable requests you have.”
He emphasizes the wordreasonable.
“This room will be yours for the next five days, and as soon as you remove your mask, I will leave you to get settled.”
I freeze. “Aren’t the masks meant to protect our anonymity?”
He nods. “Among the other guests, yes. But the hosts want every person present to be known by someone working. I’m sure we have nothing to worry about with you, sir, but knowing that someone knows their identity helps the other guests operate within the normal bounds of human interaction.”
I’m not sure what normal interaction can occur at an event when human beings are being presented as cattle for purchase, but I suppose I understand.
Still, anonymity was the main pillar of my plan. Without it, I risk being kicked out.
Or worse, killed.
“That is not what I signed on for,” I say.
Edgar frowned. “You are entitled to that opinion, though if you do not remove your mask—only briefly, of course—then you will be asked to leave. I am sorry.”
I run my tongue over my teeth, glad Edgar can’t see my deliberation. Then, slowly, I reach behind my head and undo the silk tie. I tip my head forward to catch the mask, and then run a hand through my hair as I stand tall again.
Edgar studies me blankly for a moment before his eyes widen.
My hands clench around the mask, and I’m prepared for whatever comes next.
If he recognizes me and has been instructed to alert someone, I’ll kill him. He seems like a nice enough man—as nice as someone who works for the LeClerc Cartel can be, anyway—but I’ve killed nicer men for less. No one will stand in the way of me saving my family.
However, just as fast as recognition crosses his face, respect follows.
He lowers his eyes and tips his head forward. “I had no idea I was in the company of such a powerful man. It is an honor to assist you for the duration of the event, sir.”
My brow furrows. “You recognize me?”
“You are the leader of the Volkov Bratva, are you not?”
He is not entirely sure, I can tell, which means he may not know my connection to Eve.
I nod once. “I am.”
Edgar responds by dipping his head even lower. “It is my pleasure to be in your company. Do you have any other questions about the process for this weekend?”
“How will my identity be logged?” I asked. “Will it be recorded anywhere?”
“Only in my mind,” Edgar answers quickly. “Given the nature of the event, the Cartel understands that our guests want the highest level of privacy, so your presence here will not be recorded anywhere except in my memory.”
“And one person’s memory can hardly stand up at a trial,” I say with a nervous smile.
Edgar laughs, though I see his nerves in the tightness of his neck. His role here is just as precarious as mine. He could utter one word of my presence and end my entire plan right now, but he also has to be wary of me. If I were more superstitious, I could have him killed simply for being the only person here to see my face.
It is this mutually assured destruction that comforts me.
Edgar folds his hands behind his back and turns to a closet in the corner. He pulls open both doors to reveal a row of differently colored and patterned suits. “Since you are not allowed to bring any luggage with you, clothes have been provided. They are all new items tailored to the specifications given when the mask was registered, though other arrangements can be made if they do not fit.”
Rick registered the mask, so it is a good thing he and I are close in size. He is thinner than me, which may prove to be an issue, but nothing much will be lost if I have to walk around with an unbuttoned suit jacket.
