Shift (The Neturu Chronicles) (63 page)

               
Toby turns around. “In your leg?”

               
“Yeah. On the inside of my thigh,” Kayla whispers. “So they can track me.”

               
“I knew that,” Toby replies, finally smiling. “But I didn’t know where it was.”

               
Trying to stifle his laughter, Cane says, “It was probably put there to be less
conspicuous.  Not a lot of our kind will look at the inside of your
thigh.”

               
“I sure hope not,” Kayla retorts.

               
There is a heavy, awkward silence, before Jackson leans over the front seats
and turns on music.  Kayla asks a million questions about Toby and Cane’s
training.  They answer most of them, but then respond that some of it is a
secret.

               
Two hours later, Kayla’s stomach growls. “Okay, I’m starving.  Brownies
will only go so far, and I’m starting to feel twitchy.”

               
“We can stop and eat,” Cane replies.  “We can charge your car too.”

               
He pulls off at the next exit and they head into the restaurant.  This
time they only have to bribe the owner with a hundred dollars to charge the
car.  They all sit at a table.  Cane looks at his menu, but then
asks, “So how long have you been Damien’s girlfriend?”

               
She opens her mouth and then closes it.  “We aren’t technically boyfriend
and girlfriend,” Kayla mumbles.

               
Both Cane and Toby put down their menus.  “They assigned you members of
the guard and you aren’t even his girlfriend?” Toby inquires slowly.

               
“Yeah,” Kayla exhales softly, trying not to meet their gaze.  “They want
to protect me for another reason, I think.”

               
“And that would be?” Toby inquires.

               
“Don’t tell them,” Jackson murmurs to her.

               
Kayla doesn’t say anything.  Toby leans forward.  “We need to know
everything if we are going to protect you.  What you tell us goes no
farther than this table.”

               
She turns and looks at Jackson.  He sighs. “She’s a morrae.”

               
Cane’s eyes snap to her face. “No way.”

               
“I’m a what?” Kayla asks.

               
“Morrae,” Toby replies.  “An ultimate shifter.  How many things have
you turned into so far, forty, fifty?”

               
“I just started shifting,” Kayla declares, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.

               
Toby leans forward. “What do you mean?”

               
“I didn’t know what we really were.  My parents hid it from me.  I
literally have been shifting for less than two weeks.”

               
“That’s messed up,” Cane stutters.  “So what…you’ve only shifted into one
thing?”

               
Feeling scrutinized, Kayla glares and says, “No, I’ve turned into three.”

               
“The last morrae I knew turned into seventy-five things.  He was slightly
annoying.  You’re not annoying, so that’s a positive,” Toby interjects,
trying to change the subject.

               
“What’re you getting?” Jackson asks Kayla, nodding toward her menu.

               
She frowns. “I don’t know.  I think I need to go to the bathroom.”

               
“They have one of those here,” Cane quips. “Maybe even two, a girls’ and a
boys’.”

               
Kayla laughs. “Really?  No, I feel twitchy.”

               
“I’ll go with you,” Jackson says. “To watch the door.”

               
“Actually, that’s our job now,” Toby states, standing up.

               
“I don’t want you to go to the bathroom with me,” Kayla squeaks.  “That’s
weird.”

               
Toby chuckles. “I’m not going to go
in
the bathroom, just stand outside
of it.”

               
“I know, but it’s still weird,” Kayla says.  “Jackson can do it.”

               
“No, he really can’t.  We’re under direct orders.”

               
With a groan, Kayla stands up. “Come on, watchdog.”

               
“Ouch,” Toby quips.  “I only choose a dog when necessary.”

               
She rolls her eyes and they go to the bathroom.  While she is in there,
Kayla shifts to expel her energy.  The rest of lunch is uneventful. 
They take a walk outside while the car charges and then continue their drive.

               
Two hours later, they are just outside of Vegas.  Kayla is sitting on the
edge of her seat, not wanting to miss a single second.  “I’ve never been
here.  I’m so pumped,” she squeals.

               
“We’re going to the safe house right away,” Toby tells her.  “Sorry to
disappoint you, but it’s in a residential area.”

               
“Why not on the strip?” Kayla giggles. “That would be awesome.”

               
Shaking his head, Toby looks out the window.  “There it is.”

               
“It’s amazing,” Kayla exclaims, leaning over Jackson. “Check it out.  It’s
huge!”

               
“It is,” Jackson agrees, laughing at her.

               
The city sits below them as they drive over a hill.  “How far into the
city is the safe house?”

               
“Only about twenty minutes from here,” Cane answers.

               
Kayla is glued to her window the whole time they drive.  Finally, they
pull into a neighborhood full of mansions, which doesn’t surprise Kayla. 
They meander through the streets until they pull up to a gate near the end of a
street.  Cane rolls his window down and places his hand on a plate. 
Kayla watches a red beam scan his palm and fingers.  She raises her
eyebrows as the gate opens.

               
They drive up to the house and Kayla’s jaw drops.  “That isn’t a house,
that’s an apartment complex.”

               
“We have to accommodate people,” Toby says.  “This is one of the larger
safe houses.  Las Vegas is a tourist spot even for us.”

               
“Sweet, does it have a pool?” Kayla asks.

               
“Yes.” Toby snorts.  “Because that’s what’s important.”

               
She sticks her tongue out at him as he gets out of the car.

               
Jackson laughs and leans forward to kiss her on the cheek.  “You’re fantastic.” 

               
“I know.” Kayla giggles.  “Come on, let’s go.”

               
A girl is waiting outside the door for them.  “You must be Miss
Hendrickson.”

               
“Yeah,” Kayla replies awkwardly.

               
“My name is Lindsay.  I will be your attendant during your stay. 
I’ll have your bags and everything sent up to your rooms,” Lindsay politely
states.

               
Kayla points to the car. “Um, I think I can get my own bags.”

               
“No,” Lindsay retorts sharply.  “You’re a guest of the Merjyet line. 
You have attendants.”

               
Kayla looks at Jackson. “This is silly.”

               
He laughs and gestures to the door.  “My family doesn’t have
attendants.  That’s all on your…
boyfriend
.”

               
“Not funny,” Kayla replies, pointing her finger at him.

               
“If you would come right this way,” Lindsay instructs, guiding them down a
hallway.  Kayla begrudgingly follows her through the house.  “You’ll
be in the upper west wing,” Lindsay declares.  “You and Master Damien will
be sharing a suite, while Mister Jackson will be staying in the room next
door.”

               
Kayla puts her hands up and stops. “Whoa, hold on a second.  I’m sharing a
room with Damien?”

               
Lindsay turns around and tilts her head. “But of course.  Did you want
accommodations of your own?”

               
“Doesn’t anyone find it improper that Damien I would share a room when we’re
not married?” Kayla asks.

               
“No,” Lindsay says.  “Do you?  If it makes you uncomfortable, we can
put you somewhere else.”

               
Jackson leans into Kayla.  “Listen, I don’t want to say this, but you
should stay with Damien.  He can protect you, and everyone would have a
fit if you stayed with me.”

               
“All right,” Kayla exhales.  “That’s fine.  I’ll stay with Damien.”

               
Nodding, Lindsay gestures them through another doorway.  Kayla and Jackson
follow her until they come to a huge set of double doors.  “Here we are,”
Lindsay declares, opening the doors.

               
“Holy cow,” Kayla squeaks as she walks in.  The living room is huge. A
large flat screen TV and surround sound speakers take up almost an entire wall,
and two fluffy couches face the TV.  A dining room table and bar sit in
the far right corner.  To the left is another doorway.  Kayla walks
over and looks in, discovering the bedroom.  “Well…it’s a king-sized bed,
so at least he can keep his hands to himself.”  Jackson bursts out
laughing and Kayla smiles.  She looks around the bedroom, spotting the
large TV on the wall in there too.

               
The next doorway leads to the bathroom, and Jackson follows her inside. 
When Kayla sees the inside she grins.

“Okay, you and Damien are
not sharing a room,” Jackson says.

               
“Come on.” Kayla giggles.  “I’ll use the Jacuzzi bathtub by myself.”

               
“And the shower for two people?  You think his thoughts are going to be
innocent?”

               
“Do you think mine are going to be?  You and I could always give it a go,”
she barely breathes out.

               
Jackson scoffs.  “I heard that.  My head would be on a plate if we
did anything.  You are the
girlfriend
of the son of the Merjyet
line.  I have to be careful what I do.”

               
“What, is it like treason?” Kayla giggles.

               
“Actually, yeah,” Jackson whispers.  “So let’s keep it down.”

               
“Ooh, like a secret affair?”

               
He kisses her on the cheek.  “Yeah, come on.”

               
They return to the living room.

Lindsay smiles at
them.  “What do you need?  Food?  Drink?”

               
“She needs more Kiej,” Jackson states.

               
“And coffee,” Kayla notes. “And a nice, long, hot shower.”

               
Lindsay looks at Jackson.  “By yourself, I hope,” she mentions, moving her
gaze back to Kayla.

               
“Excuse me?” Kayla retorts sharply.  “You have no right speaking to me
this way. What I do is none of your business.”

               
Lindsay bows her head.  “I’m sorry Miss.  I meant nothing by
it.  Damien just made his intentions known.  We have to listen to
him.”

               
“I will handle Damien,” Kayla replies.  “Anyway, I want to take a shower,
and I bet Jackson does too. But don’t worry, we’ll do it separately.”

               
“Very good, Miss Kayla,” Lindsay whispers, still looking at the floor. 
“I’ll get your refreshments.  Excuse me.”

               
When Lindsay leaves, Kayla turns to Jackson.  “Damien made his intentions
known?  What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

               
“That I think you should get used to him being your boyfriend.” Jackson sighs.

               
“I will make him my boyfriend when I’m damn well ready and not a moment
sooner.”

               
Jackson shrugs his shoulders. “I’m just saying.  You’re under his
protection as his girlfriend.  You may as well take the title.”

               
“Not yet. Maybe I should say something.”

               
“No, just leave it,” Jackson suggests.  “As long as he’s aware of what’s
going on, you shouldn’t have to worry.”

               
A guy comes into the apartment with Kayla’s suitcase and clothes.  “Thank
you,” she says.  The guy sets her stuff down and nods.  When he
leaves, Kayla says, “I should take a shower.  I am twelve shades of
nasty.”

               
“Yeah, you are.”

               
“Shut up.” Kayla laughs, shoving him.

               
He comes back to her and picks her up.  “You’re such a pain in the ass,
you know that?”

               
“Put me down!” she exclaims.  Carrying her into the bedroom, Jackson
throws her down on the bed.  Kayla props herself up on her elbows. “Are
you going to have your way with me?”

               
He laughs. “No, I was going to tickle you, but that may come across
wrong.  Go take a shower.”

               
“Want to join me?” Kayla giggles, winking at him.