To be fair, when Snape spoke Grindelwald's name, not only did Voldemort fall silent—even Kyle, eavesdropping outside, was dumbfounded.
What was going on? Why had Snape suddenly brought up Grindelwald? He had withdrawn from the wizarding world nearly seventy years ago and had stayed shut away in Nurmengard without ever stepping outside. Pinning this on him was a little unreasonable, wasn't it?
But Lucius seemed to have seized a lifeline. After a brief silence, he began frantically agreeing with Snape.
"Yes, Master, Severus is right. It must be him!"
"Draco... he couldn't possibly possess the Elder Wand."
"Master, Draco, he..."
"Be quiet, Lucius." Voldemort's voice was soft, yet beyond question.
Lucius Malfoy immediately dared not speak again. Kyle could only hear a series of heavy footsteps coming from inside the room.
"Give me an explanation, Severus," Voldemort demanded. "Why should I believe you? He is a defeated prisoner—what right does he have to command the Elder Wand? Or do you simply not want Draco to help me gain control of it?
"If I remember correctly, you are Draco's godfather, aren't you?"
Kyle suddenly felt an icy wind blowing from the room opposite, cutting across his body like blades.
There was not a trace of emotion in Voldemort's voice, only undisguised killing intent. Kyle could tell that if Snape said one wrong thing... or rather, if Voldemort believed he had said something wrong, he would kill him without hesitation.
The earlier rustling sound of something slithering returned, this time accompanied by frequent hissing. It sounded as though several snakes were flicking their tongues at once.
It was probably the Runespoor Harry had mentioned, another Horcrux Voldemort kept by his side.
In fact, that Runespoor was connected to Kyle as well.
Originally, the Horcrux should have been the blood-cursed Maledictus called Nagini...