His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 109

**Chapter 109**

**Claire’s POV**

An oppressive silence envelops the cabin after Ethan and the elders exit Elijah’s room, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with authority and unease.

It lingers like a dense fog, wrapping around us in the small wooden space, and for a brief moment, none of us dare to break the stillness. The faint imprint of Elijah’s hand on mine from earlier lingers in my memory, a gentle reminder that I can still breathe, that I am still here.

Beside me, Dr. Adrian shifts his weight, one long leg crossing over the other with a casualness that starkly contrasts the tension in the air. His eyes dart around the room, tracking every little creak and whisper as if they might reveal some hidden truth.

His gaze flicks toward the door through which the elders just departed, then back to me, his expression a mix of contemplation and concern, as if he’s weighing whether to voice his thoughts.

Before he can speak, one of Selene’s maids peeks around the corner of the hallway, her voice soft but urgent. “Claire?” she calls out, her tone almost hesitant. “They’re asking for you.”

Adrian lets out a low huff, a sound of exasperation barely contained. “Wonderful. Round two,” he mutters, his frustration evident.

My heart skips a beat, a jolt of anxiety coursing through me. I smooth down the oversized sweatshirt Selene lent me, the fabric still holding onto the faint scent of pine and antiseptic. It’s a small comfort as I follow the maid down the narrow hall, each step a mix of determination and dread.

With every stride, I feel a tightening in my chest, a familiar wave of nerves crashing over me. Interrogations are not my forte, especially when I’m still grappling with the chaos of that night, trying to piece together what truly happened.

As I enter the room, I find Elijah awake, propped up against the pillows, his skin still pale yet radiating warmth, a testament to his resilience.

Ethan stands beside him, a steadfast figure, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his brow furrowed in concentration. My mother is there too, her hands clasped together, her expression a mixture of gentleness and worry. Three elders linger near the far wall, their voices low as they discuss something inscribed on a clipboard.

When Ethan turns his gaze to me, the authority in his voice commands my attention. “Claire,” he says, and I feel an instinctive urge to straighten up. “I need you to recount everything again. Every detail from the moment the lights went out.”

I glance at Elijah, searching his face for reassurance, uncertain why I must relive this moment when it already feels like a bruise that has been pressed too many times. His eyes meet mine—soft, patient, despite the exhaustion etched into his features—and he gives me a small, encouraging nod.

“It’s okay,” he whispers, his voice a soothing balm. “Just tell them.”

Taking a deep breath, I ground myself in the steady rhythm of his chest rising and falling, a reminder that I am not alone.

“When the blackout happened,” I begin slowly, my voice trembling slightly, “everyone panicked. It was complete chaos. I couldn’t see anything, and people were pushing toward the exits like a herd of frightened animals. I remember turning around because Naomi—well, she walked right up to me. It was dark, but I could still recognize her scent, and she said someone was about to bump into me.”

One of the elders raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “She warned you?”

“That’s what it sounded like,” I reply, rubbing my palms against the soft fabric of my thighs, trying to quell the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. “But it didn’t feel like a warning. She didn’t sound scared or concerned—more like she already knew what was coming.”

Ethan’s expression sharpens, his eyes narrowing. “Meaning?”

I hesitate, the words feeling heavy as they settle in my throat. “Meaning she wasn’t surprised. At all. It felt rehearsed. And then, right after she said it—someone slammed into Elijah. It all happened so fast that I couldn’t even see shapes, but Naomi stepped back as if she had already predicted the movement.”

My mother stiffens beside the bed, her concern palpable.

Elijah’s voice breaks through the tension, low and steady. “Naomi sounded like she knew exactly what was about to happen.”

A heavy silence falls over the room. The elders exchange glances, their expressions serious.

Ethan shifts his weight, turning his attention to Elijah now. “Can you identify the scent of the person who attacked you?”

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