by Sarah Carter
SARAH KAY CARTER
SHIFTLESS
Copyright
This book is a work a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Shiftless ©2014 by Sarah Kay Carter.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without the express written permission of Sarah Kay Carter.
Cover Design by:
Anmar Nevarez
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Six months later…
Chapter 1
“Mom, this is so stupid,” Claire grumbles.
“Honey, stop now. It’ll be fun.” Her mom zips up her bag. “Just give it a try.”
Claire turns to her. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m 18. I’m too old for camp.”
“Dear, it’s not camp. It’s sort of a festival for us so people your age can mingle and get to know each other.”
Glaring at her mom, Claire says, “I don’t want to meet people of our kind. I don’t want anything to do with shifters.”
Her mother hangs her head. “Claire, you have to get to know shifters. Are you going to be alone for the rest of your life?”
“Yes, that’s better than someone finding out,” Claire growls. “What if someone at camp finds out?”
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed by.” Her mom sighs.
Stomping her foot, Claire exclaims, “Of course it’s something to be ashamed of. You want me to meet someone. Who’s going to want me in their bloodline? No one. Female Neturu pass on their traits more than the guys do, remember?”
Turning to Claire, her mother says, “I know more about the Neturu than you do. I’m a historian for our species. I realize that your shifting abilities are limited, but it’s not all about that. You’ll fall in love with someone.”
“How, mother? I either have to tell them when I first meet them or hide it and tell them later, which will make them mad because I was lying. What if someone wants me to shift? What am I going to do? I’m not going to this stupid camp. It’s like leading a lamb to slaughter.”
“It is not,” her mom groans. “You aren’t the only shifter with the problem.”
Leaning over on her bed, Claire spits out, “Mom…listen to me. I can only shift into one thing and I can’t even do that most of the time. I also can’t meditate into Shima. I’m the most dysfunctional shifter in our species. I wouldn’t want me in my bloodline. What makes you think someone else will? My plan is to marry a human. I can’t shift, so there’s nothing to hide.”
“I want grandchildren,” her mom moans.
“So let Ben be your grandchild-producer,” Claire says back. “He has no problem shifting. I’m the freak of the family.”
Her mom rolls her eyes. “Claire, you may grow out of it.”
“I’m 18, mother. There isn’t much growing left. Kids my age already know their limits.”
“You don’t know what your limits are, my dear. None of us have your limitations. We can’t explain why you do.”
With a glare, Claire says, “Because I’m a freak, plain and simple. There’s no other explanation. I’m dysfunctional. My only option will be to marry a human.”
“That’s not against the law, but close to it, Claire. If your human husband ever finds out, any memory of you will be erased. He would have no recollection of you, but you’d still love him. Is that what you want?” her mom inquires, putting her hands on her hips.
Claire responds with as much severity, “I can’t shift, so it wouldn’t matter.”
“You’ll find someone who loves you for you, and you’ll be happy. You may not pass this on to your children.”
Exhaling loudly, Claire says. “But I probably will. Please mom, don’t make me do this. I don’t want to go.”
“You’re going, so stop arguing about it,” her mom snaps.
“I’m 18 and I refuse to go!” Claire yells back.
“Then we’ll cut off your cash-flow and take away your car.”
Claire’s jaw drops. “You aren’t serious.”
Her mom sighs, “I’m serious. You need to do this, Claire. You have to get out into the shifting community.”
“Whatever,” Claire grumbles. “You finish packing for me. I’m going in the basement.”
“Please, I don’t want you bruised when you arrive at camp.”
A mischievous grin passes over Claire’s face. “Mom, I don’t bruise. I make other people bruise. I’ll be downstairs.”
“You’re your grandfather’s favorite student,” her mom shouts in the background.
“Don’t I know it.” Claire giggles. She runs down the steps and then cuts through the kitchen.
When she gets to the basement door, she hears, “Hey, wait up, little sister. I’ll give a real fight.”
Squealing, Claire turns around. “Ben?”
Her brother comes over and sweeps her up into a hug. “I heard you were going to take a run for it and I thought I’d come to see how you were doing.”
“Ben,” Claire whines. “Mom and Dad are still making me go to this stupid rendezvous. I don’t want to go. People are just going to make fun of me.”
“Kick their asses if they do.”
“That’s not the point. I’m going to be so embarrassed.”
Ben grabs her arms and ushers her to the side. “Alright, if you really don’t want to go, just hang out in your room the whole time. I brought you my laptop. It has Internet. It’ll give you something to do. Just hide out. Only leave for food. That’s my best advice.”
“That’s a good idea. I have a room to myself. I don’t know anyone. I can feign being sick. Cough, cough—oh, I don’t feel good.”
“You’re a horrible actress.” Ben laughs. “Just don’t leave your room. Text me if you’re super bored. You know when I have class.”
Claire hugs her brother tighter. “You’re my lifeline.”
“Come on. You might meet your future husband.” Ben chuckles.
She pinches his back and he yelps. “Don’t make fun of me. I can take you down and you know it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Ben moans. “Don’t remind me that my little sister is scarier than me.”
“Well…at least you know if someone picks on you, I’ll protect you.”
Ben grabs his chest. “Ouch. Bruise a man’s ego.”
“Come downstairs with me?” Claire pleads. “Please?”
“Fine,” Ben replies. “Take it easy on me.”
Claire laughs. “Yeah, okay, sissy. Come on.” S
he grabs her brother’s hand and yanks him down the steps.
———————
The next morning, Claire sits in the back of her parents’ car with her feet up against the back of the seat.
“Honey, please put your feet down,” her dad says.
Even though the sound is low on her headphones, Claire pretends she can’t hear him. The horizon starts to become more and more densely populated with trees. Claire rolls her eyes and scoots farther down in her seat. A little while later, her dad turns down a road that leads them straight into the forest.
“I don’t care what you say,” Claire exclaims. “This is camp. We’re in the woods. Hello?”
“Call it whatever you want,” her mom replies from up front. “You’ll have a good time.”
“I’m too old for camp,” Claire murmurs to herself. Then, they reach a clearing. A huge hotel looms in front of them. “Oh, thank God. It isn’t camp. We’re actually in the civilized world.”
Her mom turns around. “See? You’ll be fine.”
“Whatever.”
“Well, your grandfather paid for you to have your own room. You’d better at least send him some pictures,” her dad heavily suggests.
“From my room,” Claire exhales ever so slightly.
“What?” Her mom turns around.
Claire smiles. “Nothing. We must be one of the first ones here. I don’t see anyone.”
“Well, we had to bring you now,” her dad states. “I have a meeting later.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she sighs. “I just want to get into my room.”
They pull up front and park. The check-in desk has a few teenagers at it. Claire keeps her head down and her eyes off of them. Her parents talk to her non-stop. She wishes she could be anywhere near as excited as them, but this is her worst nightmare. Finally, they get her room key and they head upstairs.
When they walk into her room, Claire smiles. “Oh, sweet!” The room is actually almost a suite. There are two beds against the wall, but what catches Claire’s eye is the Jacuzzi sitting on the opposite wall. “Remind me to send grandpa a thank you card.”
“See? You’re his favorite,” her mom says. “You’ll be very comfortable here.”
“Are you going to be alright? Do you have everything you need?” Her dad asks.
Claire nods. “Oh, yeah. I’m good.”
“Alright. We have to go, but we love you. Try to have fun, okay?” her mom pleads, folding her hands together.
Trying to not roll her eyes, Claire says, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go. I want to take a shower.”
“Alright. See you later sweetie,” her mom murmurs as she hugs her.
“Bye, my dear daughter,” her dad sighs, kissing her on the head.
She waves at them as they leave. When the door shuts, Claire squeals. Sprinting over, she leaps onto one of the beds and starts jumping, then she falls back against the pillows. “This is going to be an awesome week in here. I won’t have to leave.”
She lays there for a minute, then she stands up and puts her suitcase on the bed. She opens it and grabs out her showering stuff. Long car rides always make her feel grubby. Singing to herself, she heads into the bathroom. The whole bathroom is marble and crystal. Claire grins even bigger. She starts the shower and shuts the door.
As it gets hot, Claire gets undressed. She’s very pleased with what she sees in the mirror: Her body is in perfect shape, could be because she practices and runs every day. Her hair’s blonde and styled a punky pixie cut. Her blue eyes are especially vibrant today, with a hint of green. She’s a babe and she knows it.
Turning Claire gets into the shower and enjoys the hot water. A little while later, she wraps a towel around herself and heads back into the bedroom. As she does, a voice says, “I didn’t realize the hotel room came with a complimentary hot, naked girl.”
Claire looks up to see a guy about her age standing in the room. She screams. “Who are you? Get out of my room!”
The guy puts his hands up. “Listen, this is my room. I don’t know why you’re in here.”
Glaring at him, Claire snaps, “I already checked in. This is my room.”
“I just checked in. I have a key,” he retorts.
“Well, obviously I have one, too, because it’s my room. Get out.”
“Listen, my name is Damien Blakely and it appears my security is lacking today.”
Claire freezes. “Damien Blakely, as in…the son of the Merjyet line?”
Damien nods. “Yes.”
The Damien Blakely…is hot. Really hot. His black hair is in a faux-hawk, and he’s got beautiful hazel eyes and perfect facial features. Damien’s gorgeous.
Claire stares at him for a few seconds, and her cheeks heat up from blushing. “I’m sorry, Master Blakely,” she finally whispers, hanging her head and staring at the floor. “I promise you, they did give me a key to this room and told me it was mine.”
“I don’t doubt that. It has to be a mix-up. Are you going to tell me your name?”
“I’m sorry. It’s Claire. Claire Livingston.”
“Well, Miss Livingston, I’m going to go downstairs and get a different room. I’ll be back when I’m done to retrieve my bags. Please, feel free to do what you need. I’ll knock before I enter, okay?”
Claire nods, not moving her gaze.
“You can look at me, you know. I’m staring at you wrapped up in a towel. The least that you can do is look me in the eyes, otherwise I feel like a voyeur.”
Claire looks up. “Sorry, Master Blakely.”
“Damien, please. Since you’re naked, I think we can go on a first name basis.”
“Are you sure?” Claire pulls her towel tighter around herself. “I don’t want to get into trouble.”
A gentle smile spreads across Damien’s face. “It’s fine. Now, I’m going downstairs and will be back in a little while. Okay?”
“Yeah,” Claire says, still completely embarrassed.
“Alright,” Damien replies. “See you in a bit.” With that, he turns and walks out the door.
When it shuts, Claire covers her face. “I want to die. Oh my gosh, I want to die. That was Damien. Damien just saw me in a towel. Oh, dear lord, I’m going die of embarrassement.” She goes sits down on the bed. “Please tell me that didn’t happen.”
Claire wants to cringe, but it dawns on her that she needs to get dressed. She scrambles to her suitcase. A minute later, she’s dressed and exhales in relief. Not knowing what to do to preoccupy herself, Claire walks into the bathroom to style her hair.
“This is horrible. This is horrible,” she keeps repeating.
A knock sounds on the door. Taking a deep breath, Claire walks over and opens it. Damien is standing in the hallway. He smiles. “May I come in?”
“Yes, of course.” Claire steps aside so he can enter.
Damien steps in and says, “Well, we have a slight problem.”
“What’s that?” Claire asks.
He turns around and clasps his hands behind him. “Well, they did double-book this room.”
“Okay.”
“And the problem is…there are no other rooms available. So, is there someone you can stay with? A friend possibly?” Damien inquires.
Those words make Claire’s heart drop. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t know a single person here.”
Damien’s eyebrows shoot up. “You don’t know anyone?”
Claire shakes her head.
Damien frowns. “Okay, well, all my friends have roommates, and my cousin is staying with his girlfriend. Hmm, what to do…”
“I can just go home. Trust me, I’d willingly do that.”
Damien shakes his head. “That’s ridiculous. We can just share the room.”
Her jaw drops. “Excuse me?”
“Well, I don’t know what else to do,” Damien retorts, with a smile. “Sharing my room with a hot girl isn’t a bad turn of events for the week.”
Claire blushes and looks away.
; “I’m sorry,” Damien stammers. “That was inappropriate.”
“No,” Claire whispers. “It’s fine.”
“Okay, so no sharing the room.” Damien sighs and runs his fingers through his hair.
All Claire can think about is that she wants to be the one running her fingers through his hair, to see if it’s as soft as it looks. The sheer horror of her thoughts makes Claire blush hard. “No. We can share the room. Isn’t that a breach of security, though?”
“My security has already done a check on you. There were no red flags. Anyway, I’m more than capable of defending myself.”
Claire giggles and she covers her mouth.
Damien eyes her. “What?”
“Nothing,” she replies, still trying to not laugh. “I don’t doubt your abilities.”
He raises his eyebrow, Damien says, “Okay, well Miss Livingston. Nice outfit, though I wish I met every girl dressed in a towel.”
“I think next time I should meet you dressed only in a towel,” Claire retorts with a smirk.
Damien’s jaw drops and then he grins. “Oh, I think we’ll get along splendidly.”
“Well, I think it would only be fair.” Claire walks over to her suitcase.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Damien chuckles. “So, tell me about yourself, since we’re going to be together for a week.”
Claire shuts down. “There’s nothing to tell. I’m 18 and going to college in the fall. I have one older brother, Ben. I pretty much keep to myself.”
“Don’t have many friends?”
“No, I have a ton of friends. They’re just human.”
“Not in the shifting community much?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. I know my brother’s friends and that’s about it.”
“Well, you’ll meet a lot of Neturu here.”
“Mmhmm.” Claire pulls Ben’s laptop out of her bag. She turns around and looks at Damien. “Do you need the room for anything?”
He smiles. “No. Though if I need to shower, I have to come out here in a towel.”
Claire blushes. “I was only joking.”
With a smirk, Damien shrugs. “We’ll see.”
“Oh, stop.” Claire snickers. “You so will not.”
