Shifters (The Neturu Chronicles Book 3)

by Sarah Carter

  “I’m already a princess,” Lexi sighs, not thinking of what she is saying.

  “You’re a what?” Derrick gasps, choking on his sushi.

  She vigorously shakes her head. “No, no, I’m already treated as if I were a princess.”

  “Spoiled?” Derrick counters with a chuckle.

  Smiling, Lexi says, “Yes and no. My dad will buy me anything I want for the most part, but I’m not a materialistic person. My car is the only thing I went over the top with, but I inherited my father’s love of cars. He drove a car that cost 400,000 dollars when he was 17. I refused. I think that’s ridiculous.”

  “So, you weren’t kidding when you said your family’s rich.”

  Lexi shakes her head. “No, we are, but please, don’t go telling a lot of people.”

  “No, dude,” Derrick says. “You could get us really good tickets to Flogging Molly.”

  “Oh, that’s what you want?” Lexi laughs.

  Derrick’s eyes get wide and he nods. “Yes.”

  Rolling her eyes, Lexi takes out her cell phone. She presses an icon. It rings, and then a voice picks up. “Yes, Mistress Blakely.”

  “I hate when you guys say that,” Lexi groans. “It makes me sound like a dominatrix.” Derrick’s eyebrows furrow.

  “Sorry, Miss. What can I do for you?”

  “Tomorrow. Tickets go on sale for Flogging Molly. I need four really good seats.”

  There is silence and then, “You will have the tickets tonight. We don’t have to wait. Anything else I can do?”

  “Get us backstage,” Lexi exclaims, sitting up straight.

  “Very well. I will see what I can do,” the voice says. “Anything else I can help you with Mistress?”

  “Yes,” Lexi snaps. “Stop calling me that for the love of god!”

  “Mistress, your father would have our heads. You are Mistress Blakely. Daughter of the Merjyet line.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Yes, I know. I’m reminded of that every day. Anyway, you will get tickets?”

  “Anything you request Miss, as always.”

  “How about you get me out of going to school?” she remarks.

  “I do not think that is in my realm of power. You would have to talk to Master Blakely about that.”

  “I’ve tried,” Lexi mumbles. “All right. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Lexi hangs up and looks at Derrick. “We’ll have tickets.”

  “No way, seriously?” Derrick gasps.

  “Mmhmmm,” Lexi hums.

  “Well, well, well, look at this,” they hear next to them. Connor is standing there with his arms crossed. “What is this, and why wasn’t I invited?”

  Getting a little ballsy, Lexi replies, “We are having a date, if you don’t mind.”

  His eyes dart to Derrick. “R-e-a-l-l-y.”

  Derrick looks up at Connor. “Yeah dude. Go away.”

  A smirk twitches on Connor’s face. “I see. Well don’t let me interrupt.” He starts to back away.

  “Bro, I was joking,” Derrick laughs.

  “No, no, no,” Connor replies. “I don’t want to step on any toes.”

  “Oh? Is that what it takes?” Lexi says. “I have a boyfriend.”

  Connor narrows his eyes and looks at her silently. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Yeah, big, scary guy,” Lexi dramatically gestures. “Real territorial.”

  The corner of Connor’s mouth turns up. “Well then...”

  Her heart sinks at lying to him. “Yeah, I’m taken.”

  “What’s his name?” Connor asks.

  “What?” Lexi stammers.

  “What’s this big, scary guy’s name?” Connor inquires, smiling now.

  “Ashe,” Lexi replies slowly.

  Suddenly, they hear, “Whatever she is saying, she’s lying.”

  She spins. A guy a few years older than her is standing there. He has blonde hair and vibrant green eyes, but not unearthly like hers. “Ashe! You are such an asshole!”

  Connor and Derrick look around. Connor asks, “Where did you come from?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” Ashe replies.

  “Dude Ashe, my dad is going to be pissed. Have you lost your mind!?” Lexi screams.

  “I couldn’t miss out on your first day,” Ashe scoffs, nudging her with his hand.

  Eyeing him up, Connor says, “You’re the boyfriend?”

  Ashe laughs and looks at Lexi. “Really?”

  Come on. Go with it. Please.

  “No,” he replies. Ashe looks back at Connor. “I’m not her boyfriend, and she doesn’t have one.” Suddenly, he falls with a bang. “Woman!” he yells.

  “Go away, Ashe. My dad is going to imprison you.”

  Derrick looks at her. “Your dad is going to do what?”

  Shaking her head in shock, Lexi says, “My dad is like a parent figure to him. We say that instead of grounding. My family is very strict.”

  “Dude, that was totally uncool,” Ashe says. “You don’t want to cross me.”

  Lexi stands up and looks him in the eyes. “You want to go toe to toe? Really?”

  “I’m not stupid,” Ashe replies, narrowing his eyes.

  They stand there glaring at each other for a few seconds and then burst out laughing. Lexi jumps on him and gives him a hug. “I’m so glad you are here.”

  “I can’t stay long,” Ashe says. “Supposed to be somewhere else. But you know, I hear my name...”

  “I know. I know. I should have known better,” Lexi groans. She smiles and then gestures to her side. “Ashe, this is Derrick and Connor.”

  “I’m her alter ego,” Ashe says, reaching out his hand. “We are three years apart but are pretty much the same person. Trouble with a capital T.”

  Connor looks at Lexi and laughs. “You’re trouble?”

  Her cheeks light on fire and she whispers, “I’m kind of a handful.”

  “Been arrested?” Connor asks.

  “She can’t be arrested,” Ashe says. Suddenly, he grabs his butt and yells, “Ow!”

  “Ashe, seriously? My dad is going to kill you.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Blah, blah, blah.”

  “Seriously,” she snaps. “One of these days you’re going to push the envelope too far with him.”

  “That’s when my partner in crime will come to my rescue,” Ashe says. “Ooo, sushi.” He takes a bite. “Mmmmm.”

  “Everyone’s eating my lunch,” Lexi groans.

  “You need second lunch like a hobbit,” Ashe teases.

  She could kill him. “Ashe, oh my god.”

  “Come on, that’s like one of the best books ever written,” Ashe says. “You eat like a hobbit.”

  Mortified, Lexi stares at him with her mouth open. He grins at her. She narrows her eyes. Next time I see you hitting on a girl, all bets are off.

  He stops. “That’s not fair.”

  Oh, cry me a river, boohoo.

  “Lexi...”

  “She’s not talking to you man,” Derrick says, giving him a weird look.

  “I know what she’s thinking,” Ashe replies.

  “You need to go,” Lexi states.

  Ashe rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. “Fine, call me later.”

  She waves her fingers. “Fine, bye.”

  “Bye.”

  There’s a flash of light, and Lexi looks at the guys. They arelooking around. “Did we move?” Connor asks.

  “Yeah, what the hell?” Derrick replies.

  “I think it’s something in the air,” Lexi coughs.

  Connor frowns. “What were we talking about again?”

  “My boyfriend,” Lexi replies.

  He opens his mouth and then closes it. “I didn’t think you had one.”

  With a sigh, Lexi replies, “I don’t.”

  “Man,” Connor says, shaking his head. “My brain feels really foggy.”

  “Yup,” Lexi laughs nervously. “Anyway...”

&nb
sp; The first bell rings. “Oh, we have to go,” Derrick exclaims. He grabs a tray of sushi. “I will see you later.” He walks away, eating it.

  Lexi just points at him as he walks away and goes, “He stole my lunch.”

  “Yeah, you have no idea how much food that boy can consume. I think he may have a tapeworm.”

  “So, do I,” Lexi says. “I could probably out-eat him.” She takes one of the last pieces of sushi and pops it into her mouth. She chews with her mouth open. Lexi realizes making herself unattractive may be the only way to go.

  Connor smiles. “A girl who doesn’t hide her appetite. I like it. I like it, a lot.”

  “Oh come on, seriously,” Lexi groans, shoulders falling.

  “I feel as though this is a game,” Connor says, as he backs up. “Sorry for you. I really love games.”

  “No, no game,” Lexi articulates strongly. “We aren’t playing a game.”

  He smiles even more. “I have no idea what you are talking about Lexi Blakely.”

  “I want my car keys,” Lexi snaps.

  Running his hands over his pockets, Connor gasps. He pulls them out of his front pocket. “These keys?”

  “Dude!” she exclaims, going over by him. “Give them to me.”

  “Sure, here,” he counters. Connor holds them really high in the air.

  Lexi glares at him. “Give them to me, Connor.”

  “I am,” he replies. “Take them.” He grins broadly.

  Starting to laugh, Lexi finally gives in and she knows she can’t be mad at him. “Come on. This is totally unfair.”

  “Life’s unfair,” Connor says. “Now, we better throw everything away and get to class, so we aren’t late. Can’t be late on your first day.”

  “Fine,” Lexi groans. She cleans up the table and throws everything into the bag. They walk to the trash and throw it out. Lexi turns to Connor. “Can I have my keys?”

  “Nope,” Connor replies, shoving them back into his front pocket. “Won’t reach into there. So, we’re safe until after school.”

  Raising her eyebrow, Lexi says, “Who says I won’t reach into there?” A shocked look sweeps across Connor’s face. She smirks and then says, “I will see you later.” With that Lexi turns and walks away.

  She gets in the hallway and hears Lexi Blakely.

  It wasn’t me! Yell at Ashe.

  You have no idea what a disruption in time could do.

  Yeah, but you can’t have us be like brother and sister and not expect trouble. I see the future, and he time-jumps.

  I am going to punish him this time. See how he acts after being in solitary for a few weeks.

  You’re not going to do that, Dad. Relax. No one even realizes that it happens. The guys don’t even remember meeting him. It’s fine. You are surrounded by super beings. We can’t behave all the time.

  Yes, you can and you should.

  Dad, just leave him alone. I would know if he did any sort of damage.

  How do you know that for sure?

  Lexi stays quiet.

  Lexi Rose, what are you hiding?

  Nothing, Dad. It was fixed. It’s okay.

  What did he do!?

  Well, do you remember the time when he was 16 and he crashed that car.

  Yes.

  He went back in time and stopped it. It, sort of, created a ripple, and I saw it right away. I proceeded to yell at him, and he fixed it. Everything is back to the way it’s supposed to be. He’s got it down now. I let him know if something is amiss.

  You’re going to be the death of me. Both of you.

  I’m good!

  You haven’t used your abilities at all when you’re not supposed to.

  Well, if you put it that way...

  You can’t out the Neturu.

  I’m not Neturu, so I guess you’re fine. I’m not a shapeshifter. I’m Kenga. I’m an uber being. Not the same.

  Yes, and you do keep out of trouble. Tell Ashe he needs to stop.

  You tell him.

  We both know he doesn’t listen to me. So, try to convince him to be careful.

  Okay, I will. I have to go to Economics now. Why are you making me take this stupid class?

  It’s good for you to know.

  Whatever. I have to go.

  Love you.

  Love you too, Dad.

  Lexi walks into class and there are only a few students there. The teacher is not at their desk. Lexi goes over and waits. Suddenly, she hears, “Oh my god! That hair!” She closes her eyes and turns to the voice. When she looks, she sees a blonde girl with these amazing crystal blue eyes. She kind of reminds Lexi of Connor. The girl walks over to Lexi with her jaw down. Lexi braces for comments. “Holy crap, woman,” the girl says. “Your hair is outrageous.”

  Sighing, Lexi goes, “Yeah.”

  “It’s so cool!” The girl squeals. “It looks incredibly soft. Can I touch it?”

  Raising an eyebrow, Lexi goes, “You want to touch my hair?”

  “Yeah, sorry, I’m a little forward,” the girl says. “My name is Madison. Everyone calls me Maddie. Madison Lee Rogers at your service.” She sticks out her hand.

  “Lexi. Lexi Blakely.” They shake hands.

  “Your hair is amazing. How long does it take you to do it?” Maddie asks, eagerly with a huge smile.

  Lexi reaches up and touches it. “I’ve been doing it for so long, it doesn’t take that much time.”

  “So cool. Did you just move here?”

  “No, I’ve been homeschooled my whole life. My family thought it was time I went out into the real world.”

  “Your parents let you dye your hair purple?” Maddie inquires with a grin.

  Nodding, Lexi says, “Yup, they are the coolest parents ever.”

  “Have you made any new friends yet?”

  “I don’t know if you would say friends, but I’ve encountered a few people,” Lexi answers.

  A voice says, “You’re in this class, too.”

  They turn to see Jackie standing there. “Oh my god!” Maddie yells. “The bitch parade must have just walked past. I think you may have lost your way.”

  Jackie narrows her eyes at Maddie. “I’m not surprised to find you two talking to each other.”

  “I know. Smart, cool, awesome people usually tend to gravitate to each other. Oh wait, do I need to explain what gravitate means?”

  A look of pure hatred creeps across Jackie’s face. “Whatever, Maddie. You think you’re so smart.”

  “My GPA is a whole point higher than yours, so I think that at least means I am smarter than you. Of course, most middle schoolers are smarter than you.”

  “Whatever, Maddie.”

  “Is that your only rebuttal? Whatever Maddie.”

  Her eyes turn to Lexi. “If you want to save your social status at all, I would steer clear of this one.”

  “Really?” Lexi gasps. She turns to Maddie. “Oh no, not my social status.”

  Maddie’s hand flies to her mouth. “Yes, you will forever be doomed to the dungeon of the social ladder.”

  “Do you play music?” Lexi asks.

  “24/7,” Maddie replies.

  “I’m in.”

  “Oh my god,” Jackie groans, rolling her eyes. “Losers stick together.”

  Lexi clicks her tongue. She turns to Maddie. “Do you like Flogging Molly?”

  “Like them? I love them. Why?”

  “I just got four tickets, and one just popped up as untaken. Wanna go?”

  “Hell yeah!” Maddie exclaims, showing the rock sign.

  Now, Jackie glares at Lexi. “I was supposed to go with them.”

  “What kind of music is Flogging Molly?” Lexi asks.

  “What?”

  “What kind of music do they play?”

  Jackie shrugs. “Hard Rock.”

  Maddie bursts out laughing. Lexi laughs with her and then looks at Jackie. “No. Sorry. Eh. You’re wrong. Celtic punk. You don’t get to go if you don’t know what their music’s lik
e.”

  “You’re not going to get Connor,” Jackie states, staring her down.

  “Yeah, I’m trying to deter Connor,” Lexi says. Her heart sinks at those words.

  A smirk crosses Jackie’s face. “Not like you could get him anyway.”

  “Wait, what’s this about Connor?” Maddie interjects.

  Lexi turns to her. “He’s giving me hell. He stole my car keys this morning and won’t give them back. Now at lunch he declared that this is a game. I don’t know what he could possibly mean by that.”

  “Ohhh,” Maddie yells. “You’re in for a world of trouble. He likes you. He only gives girls a hard time if he likes them.”

  “How do you know?” Lexi asks.

  “He’s my cousin,” Maddie laughs. “I know him better than anyone. Oh, if he says it’s a game, it’s a game.”

  “No, no game,” Lexi whines.

  Jackie rolls her eyes. “Whatever, that’s totally not even true.”

  “Wait, are you telling me you know my flesh and blood better than me? Connor and I are the same age. We grew up together. We know everything there is to know about each other. What I do know, for a fact, is that he doesn’t like you that way. He never has. He also never will.”

  “Time will only tell,” Jackie replies.

  “It’s been two years,” Maddie says. “That window of opportunity passed a long time ago. Woosh.” She gestures with her hand.

  “Oh, we have a new student!” a voice exclaims.

  They turn to see a woman standing there. “Yeah, hi,” Lexi says.

  “You must be Lexi. My name is Mrs. Garrison. Are you excited about economics?”

  “Does anyone get excited about economics?” Lexi counters.

  Mrs. Garrison frowns. “Not very often, but I thought I would ask.”

  Lexi laughs. “I bet you make it fun.”

  “I try.” Mrs. Garrison replies. “There are two empty seats you can choose.”

  Maddie grabs Lexi’s arm and says, “She’ll sit behind me.”