Page 94 of A Silent Prodigy for the Lycan Princess

Emilien stands up, approaching them and staring at the screen. “It’s them, clearly. This is Claire.”

“They both received blood,” Arden says. “That’s how our culprits knew their blood group. They obviously didn’t donate blood. They were too young to do that, but they were recipients. Claire was in an accident and needed a blood transfusion. It’s said that she and her father disappeared shortly afterwards. Megwas really sick. Her body was inflamed, and she collapsed. That’s why she received blood. That’s not all,” he says before any of us can say anything. “Meg was diagnosed with lupus, but the diagnosis never reached her or the orphanage because she went missing shortly after.”

“Lupus,” I say, surprised. “She has an autoimmune disease? That’s rare for a werewolf.”

“But not completely unheard of,” Gustave mutters. “Isn’t Lady Valerie of weak health?”

“Not really,” Emilien says. “She was while growing up due to her having a very special gift. She is not in poor health anymore.”

“But she was a child,” Arden muses. “Gustave might be onto something. Maybe Meg is special too, maybe that’s what’s interesting about her. Maybe that’s why she is still alive.”

“Isn’t that too many maybes?” Emilien mutters his question.

“I agree,” Arden says. “I need more than that. Meg…” He pauses. “I will start going through the material we got from the orphanage. Every picture, every snippet with Meg on it. There has to be something, somewhere.” He pauses. “Now that we know how they find their victims, we know their hunting territory. We can finally narrow down the real victims of this case and where they were found. This will help us tremendously.”

“They have to have someone who works in the hospital,” Leila says. “I mean, to know who donated blood and who received it.”

“Maybe, but technically, it’s not necessary,” Zoé says. “It wasn’t too difficult to hack their system.”

“For so many years, though?” Gustave points out. “Did we check the employees of the hospital?”

“I did,” Emilien says. “None of the doctors and nurses stood out.”

“What about the others?” I ask, remembering the cleaning staff I walked by. “Cleaning staff, cooks, maybe someone for their IT?”

“You are right. I was too focused on the actual medical staff,” Emilien admits.

“We still don’t know what they are doing with the victims,” Gustave says quietly. “That’s driving me crazy.”

“Me too,” Arden mutters.

“Well.” Emilien sighs. “Let’s go to work. Tomorrow, the celebrations around New Year’s Eve begin, and I want us all to take the night and the next day off. We all need it.” I want to say something against it, and I can feel how almost everyone else is equally eager to argue with him. “You need it,” he interrupts us. “Just so we are clear, these are actually Eric’s orders, and I agree with him. You have all worked without any real rest, but the mind needs a break to work to its fullest. We won’t get any results if we continue to strain ourselves. So, let’s give it our all today and tomorrow, and then take the evening and the next day off.”

Leila nods. “Not much I can say against that.”

“You are right,” Arden admits. “I want to spend some time with Vander and also with Aurelia and her friends.”

“Me too,” I agree.

“There is a celebration in the pack’s orphanage,” Zoé says. “I want to spend New Year’s Eve with them.”

“So, it’s safe there?” Arden asks.

“Now that the Council is investigating, the ranked members all try not to take a wrong step,” Zoé says.

“A bit too little too late,” Arden says quietly.

Emilien looks at him and sighs. “I have to agree.”

“And you, Gustave?” I ask.

He looks flustered. “Promise me you won’t laugh.”

“We promise,” Zoé says.

“I’ll be with my family,” he says. “My brother is usually the center of attention, but I like him. He is nice to me, and it’s our own little tradition to go on a run for New Year’s Eve. Other than that, I want to read and relax. I hate partying and staying up late.”

“That came unexpectedly.” Arden blinks. “I thought you would be one of the frat boys.”