Page 147 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

“I don’t know where he is,” Emilia says calmly, “but I certainly know what he is doing.”

None of us has the heart to reply to her words. She is a good-hearted and prideful woman. I don’t want to pity her openly – I know it would just embarrass her further, and add to how my father hurts and embarrasses her.

Once in the office and with tea and sandwiches in front of us, we exchange information. Calvin tells us he got some video material. Not the best quality, but apparently, he was able to spot a car with darkened windows, big enough to hold two or three kidnappers and two victims. They also drove in the direction of the cottage where we found Janice. “There is one more tape from another camera,” Calvin says. “It’s from a gas station further down the road. They seem to be driving west, but it’s impossible to tell where to.”

“Could you see the license plate?” Vincent asks.

“Yes, I am already on it.”

Once he is done, we tell everyone about our findings. We even share the possibility of it being a mean-spirited prank that went too far, although I don’t really believe that theory. “Does Florahave enemies?” Samuel asks. “She is such an innocent, sweet soul.”

At that, I laugh. “Only last year, she put seven bullies in their place and even took it up with one guy who continuously sexually harassed younger schoolmates.”

“Do you think one of them could retaliate?” Emilia asks when Samuel is too stunned to even speak.

“The last guy was really upset,” I say. “Actually, that’s the one I intervened with. I held my position over him and his father, who completely enabled him and wanted to swipe everything under the rug.”

“So, he has something against you too?” Vincent concludes.

“But do we really believe that?” Samuel asks. “A stupid kid and his stupid father?”

“Stupid people could do incredibly shady things,” Calvin points out. “And seeing how terribly they have been working, I doubt it’s someone intelligent behind this. Not trying to boast, but if it were me who kidnapped the luna and her friend, no one would have found them that fast!”

Usually, Calvin’s callous way of addressing things upsets others, but in this case, we can only agree. “Yeah,” Vincent says. “Even I could have pulled it off better.”

“Me too,” I admit.

“Same,” Jace says.

Janice nods. “Me too, and I don’t even have much criminal energy in me to begin with. But I wouldn’t be that dumb, and I certainly wouldn’t have involved humans. Even if these are people who are aware of us, I am sure they aren’t truly aware of what we are capable of. Also, involving humans always is a risk for many, many reasons.”

“I agree,” Calvin says. “A couple of humans might know about us, there might even be some in shady organizations that work with some equally shady shifters, but none of them knows much.During one of my jobs a while back, I was dealing with such a group and I can vouch that although they might think they know a lot, they truly don’t.”

“Maybe that’s why the humans were picked,” I say. “They don’t have any clue who they are fucking with. And they might be easily disposable to whoever is behind this.”

“Yes, but they will also easily break once questioned,” Geneva says. She turns to look at me. “Elden, can you use your gift to find clues?”

“It’s still tricky for me to use it, as I need to look into the future, and we are actually looking for something that already happened. Plus, I will need to work around Flora, because she is my mate,” I admit. “But of course, I will do everything to find Flora!”

“I am sure this is not your only gift,” Samuel says.

I look at him, surprised. “But nothing else seems to be out of the ordinary with me.”

“It’s just a feeling,” he adds.

“Well,” Calvin says. “I want to do some research. Vincent, mind joining me?”

“Sure, man, I am glad to.”

“And you two should return home,” Geneva tells Jace and Janice. “You need some rest, and you have told us everything you know so far. When something else comes to your mind, Janice, give us a call. One of us will be on the phone.”

“Of course,” Janice promises.

I watch everyone either go home or do some more research, then decide to fulfill my own promise and explore my gift further. I already know it’s going to be a long evening trying to touch on so many different futures and outcomes, but I need to try. It’s not like I would get a minute of rest anyway, not without Flora being back with me!

*FLORA*

I am playing my role as the cute and innocent dunce perfectly. Now, I have stopped the act of the teary-eyed, scaredy-cat and switched strategies- very successfully. I am trying to find out more by getting closer to them and understanding why they are doing what they are doing. None of the three seems to be a terrible person. The men always make sure to keep a respectful distance; they haven’t brushed past me or looked when I was in a vulnerable state. And Cindy seems to do everything to make me comfortable. They even let me out of my room.