His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 243

Chapter 243

Claire’s POV

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“Is it just me, or is the ‘ancient mystical crystal’ starting to sound like a microwave about to explode?” I asked, my voice pitching up an octave.

I was currently staring at the gauge on the Council tap. The needle wasn’t just in the red zone; it was vibrating so hard it looked like it wanted to quit its job and move to the coast.

“It’s not a microwave, Claire,” Elijah said, his claws still out. He looked like he wanted to shred Julian, but he was also trying not to trigger a tectonic shift. “It’s worse. It’s a pressurized battery of raw lunar energy.”

“Oh, goody,” I muttered. “So we’re sitting on a glitter-bomb that can take out the varsity cheer squad.”

Julian leaned against a damp stone pillar, looking entirely too relaxed. “Technically, it’s more of a ‘radiant thermal discharge, but ‘glitter-bomb’ has a certain flair. Now, are we going to stand here and discuss interior decorating, or are you going to let me fix the pressure?”

“How do we know you won’t just lock us in the basement and take the Well?” I asked, squinting at him.

Julian placed a hand over his heart. “Claire, I’m hurt. Truly. I’m a Sentinel of the South. We have a code of ethics. Mostly.”

“Mostly?” Elijah growled. “That’s not exactly a glowing recommendation.”

“It’s the best you’re going to get while the floor is humming

‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at 120 decibels,” Julian pointed out.

The crystal let out a sharp ping. A small crack appeared near the base, leaking a swirl of golden mist that smelled like ozone and old library books.

“Okay, fine!” I shouted over the hum. “Elijah, let him through. If this place blows, we’re going to be the first ghosts haunting the cafeteria, and I refuse to spend eternity smelling like tater tos.”

Elijah hesitated, his eyes flickering between me and the tracker. Rinally, he stepped aside, though he kept his body coiled like a spring. “If you try anything, Julian, I don’t care about the blast. I’ll end you.”

“Duly noted,” Julian said. He sauntered over to the device, humming a little tune under his breath. He pulled a specialized wrench from his blazer pocket. “You know, the Reeds really were amateurs. They used a Grade-3 coupler on a Grade-5 output. It’s like trying to put a garden hose on a fire hydrant.”

“Can you talk less and wrench more?” I asked, my heart hitting 9 bpm. I wasn’t sure how long I could remain calm.

“Patience is a virtue, Claire,” Julian said. He gave the dial a sharp twist. The screaming sound of the crystal immediately dropped to a low, disgruntled mumble. The needle on the gauge slowly began to retreat from the ‘Death’ zone back to

Highly Concerning

“There,” Julian said, dusting off his hands. “Pressure stabilized. The gym is safe. The tater tots are secure.”

“Now get out,” Elijah said, stepping toward him.

“Now, now,” Julian said, wagging a finger. “I did just save your lives. And your school. I think I’ve earned a little bit of credit, don’t you? Perhaps a thank you”?”

“I’ll thank you by not throwing you into the elevator shaft,” Elijah offered.

Julian sighed, looking at me. “He’s very grumpy, isn’t he? Does he always wake up like this, or is it the mountain air?”

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Chapter 243

“It’s the Southern trackers,” I said. “They tend to ruin the mood.”

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“Fair point,” Julian conceded. He turned back toward the elevato I’ll leave you two to your… whatever this is. But don’t touch the dial. If you mess with the sequence, I won’t be around to fix it next time.”

Why did you help us?” I asked before he could step into the cag

Julian paused, his hand on the iron gate. For a second, the playful mask slipped. He looked at the glowing crystal with a look of genuine curiosity. “Because I want to see what happens next. Claire. If the Well explodes, the experiment ends. And I’m much more interested in the results of the ‘Hale Anchor’ than I am in a pile of rubble.”

He stepped inside and the elevator creaked upward, leaving us in the glowing silence of the cavern.

“He’s definitely going to be the villain in our autobiography,” I said, leaning my head against Elijah’s shoulder.

“If we live long enough to write one,” Elijah muttered. He looked at the crystal. “Felix! Are you there?”

“I’m here!” Felix’s voice crackled through the comms. “I saw the energy spike on my end. I almost called the fire department, but then I realized I’d have to explain why the basement was glowing. Is everyone alive?”

“We’re fine.” I said. “Julian ‘saved’ us. We’re currently in a state of extreme annoyance.”

“Classic Julian,” Felix said. “By the way, the Senior Prank meeting just ended. You guys need to get out of there before Henderson realizes the service elevator is moving.”

“We’re on our way,” Elijah said. He looked at me, his eyes softening. “You okay? Your heart rate is still a bit high.”

“I’m fine,” I said, checking my monitor. 80 bpm. “Just a little glitter-bombed. Let’s get out of here before I start hallucinating about organic kale.”

“Deal.” Elijah said.

We climbed the stairs instead of taking the elevator, avoiding the risk of being caught in the cage. As we slipped back into the main hallway, the school felt strangely normal.

Students were laughing, lockers were slamming, and the smell of floor wax was everywhere.

“One more Well down,” I whispered as we walked toward the parking lot.

“And one very dangerous tracker with a ‘save’ on his record,” Elijah added.

“We’ll pay him back,” I said. “With interest.”

Elijah smiled—a real, genuine smile that made my stomach flip.

That’s my girl. Now, let’s go get some actual food. I’m starving, and I refuse to eat anything that Julian would approve of.”

“Burgers?” I suggested.

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