Page 72 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

“I would appreciate that,” she agrees. “I will try to get a vision, but let’s follow the plan for now.”

*ARDEN*

At the end of the day, my brain feels like it’s melting. I usually don’t mind spending hours reading documents and sorting through them, but this here was a lot, even for me. Gustave and Zoé look similarly spent.

“We did it,” I say, rubbing over my face. “I can’t believe we finished it, today.”

“All thanks to you,” Gustave says, sounding seriously stunned. “I have never seen someone go through papers so quickly. How can your eyes move so fast.”

“It’s not so much the movement of the eye, but the pace of my mind registering words,” I explain.

“Whatever it is, it is mind-boggling,” he says.

“You two worked very well, too,” I tell them. “It’s true that I sorted through everything, but Gustave checked the files a second time, and Zoé, you digitalized everything. It was a joint effort. You were both so fast and efficient; I couldn’t have had anyone better to assist me.”

At the silence that’s greeting me, I almost feel like I overstepped again. It’s so much easier with people I know, while everyone else easily misinterprets me.

“Thank you,” Gustave blurts out, his eyes lighting up in pride.

“We were really efficient, weren’t we?” Zoé beams before she and Gustave start a little silly dance together.

“At first, I thought we’d never finish everything, but we were such a good team,” Gustave says.

He and Zoé enjoy their moment for a little longer while I’m stunned that they indeed understood my words of praise. “How about we go and grab a drink?” I offer. “Well, at least Gustave and I can grab a drink. For Zoé, it will be one of the mocktails. My treat.”

“Really?” Gustave asks.

“I would love to,” Zoé agrees. “I’m just not sure how to return to the pack. I’m going to miss the last bus again.”

“I can take you,” Gustave tells her. “I will only have one drink or none at all.”

“That’s a pretty huge detour,” I say.

“It’s okay,” Gustave says. “Zoé is a friend and co-worker.” He looks away from me, almost like he is embarrassed to look at me when he says the next words. “It’s about basic respect,” he says quietly.

“What do you say?” I ask Zoé.

“Absolutely yes,” she exclaims.

“Well, then it’s set.” I open the door for both of them, following them down the corridor. The Council has a few places, and we choose a cocktail bar.

“Oh look.” Zoé beams. “Aurelia is there, too.”

She is right. Aurelia is sitting with her friends, having a few drinks. She perks up when she spots me and waves. It makes me realize how little time I actually spend with her. I really want to change that as soon as possible.

“Do you mind if we join them?” I ask Gustave and Zoé.

Zoé looks like that’s exactly what she hoped for, while Gustave looks a bit anxious. “Is this really okay?”

“Yes, of course. Come.” I lead the both of them to the table with Aurelia and her friends, happy when they all greet me with excitement. I know some of them have been her friends for a long time. It means a lot to me that they don’t hate me.

“I hope we aren’t interrupting anything,” I say.

“Only if you don’t have a drink with us,” Jazz says with a bright smile before turning to Valerie. “Why don’t you call Eric and ask him to join us?”

“It’s not a mate-free zone, anymore,” Terry teases, putting his arm around Marilou.

“Since it wasn’t a girlfriend-free zone to begin with, I don’t think it matters,” Tori teases him.