Page 121 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

I turn to Eric. “This gave us a lot of insight.”

“It proves that we definitely have more than one culprit,” Eric says.

“Not only that,” I mutter, “but the group’s strategist has to be their leader. He is losing control over them. Or this wouldn’t have happened. Someone in his group wants more power or more recognition; a piece of the cake.”

“That could be good for us,” Eric says. He gazes towards the infirmary where Nicolas ran to. “I wonder if we could talk to the child.”

“Nicolas said he isn’t talking,” I mutter. “He is in shock.”

“Still,” Eric sighs, “let’s take a look.”

I nod, following him to the infirmary. Everyone is so anxious and busy they barely pay us attention, which I’m more than glad about. We follow Nicolas’s scent to a small hospital room and find him sitting next to his son. The boy doesn’t look at him. He seems to be detached and shaken, and just keeps drawing something.

Nicolas gazes at us, surprised to see us again. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“He is not talking,” Nicolas says sadly, worry all over his expression. “He is… he is…”

“We’ll get him help,” Eric promises. “I will make sure that there will be a therapist coming to him today.”

“Thank you, Prince Eric.”

I step closer to the child, noticing the many sheets of paper he has already scribbled on. It’s always the same thing he draws. One of the papers has dropped to the ground, and I pick it up. It’s the abduction of his mom— so much about him not understanding what happened.

I look at the picture, taking in the details. It’s a typical child’s drawing, yet the blood freezes in my veins. The face of the kidnapper is blackened out, crossed out, but what draws me in is a sloppily drawn tattoo on his arm, probably a rune, and… he is wearing a necklace with an orange gemstone. No way did the boy make this up!

I turn to Eric. “I need to get back to the Council,” I say, showing Eric the drawing.

“He is wearing jewelry…” he says. “This could mean it’s like a signature for them. Or rather their symbol to spot each other.”

“And he has a tattoo,” I say. “Pretty sure that’s a rune.”

“What are you thinking?” Eric asks.

“Whoever leads them began hisprojectwith abducting Meg. He is the one who started the whole operation, the one who planned it. The codenames, the runes, it has to be his doing. Maybe he was also wearing a necklace back then—”

“Or he had a tattoo,” Eric says. “Return to the Council. You are right. You and your sharp brain are of more help there.”

Right at this moment Eric’s phone vibrates. He takes it out of his pocket, frowning. “It’s Emilien,” he says. “That can’t begood.” He reads the message swiftly, his eyes clouding with worry all of a sudden. “Return immediately, Arden.”

“What happened?”

“Emilien said that the auctions got canceled. Denis and Annette are not being sold anymore. Something happened.”

Chapter thirty-seven

A Much Needed Break

*ARDEN*

Ibasically storm into my office as if someone is hunting me. “It got canceled?”

“Yes,” Zoé says, her voice quivering.

“Fuck,” I curse. “Did they notice us?”

“I don’t think so,” Emilien says. “Zoé is still in the chatroom.”

“Other bidders are discussing the situation, too,” Zoé explains. “Someone said it happened before and that it’s probably a safety measurement.” She pauses. “What does this mean?”