Shifting Fate (The Neturu Chronicles Book 4)

by Sarah Carter

  Lexi freezes for a second but then says, "I haven't seen him, so maybe it was nothing."

  "We still need to be careful," Jenkins replies.

  "We will. I usually am," Lexi states. "We will talk tomorrow, then."

  He nods. "Yes, we will talk then." Jenkins walks them to the door. "See you later, Lexi. Be safe."

  "You, too." She and Connor leave, quickly making their way to the car. With some haste, Connor leaves. Lexi finally turns to him. "When we get closer to town, I need to turn on my tracker. But I decided I'm keeping my other chips off from now on. Some of them can pick up on our conversations. Until this is over, I don't want to risk it."

  "That's a good idea," Connor says. "What should we do now?"

  She shakes her head. "I have no idea. What would you like to do?"

  "Just have some peace and quiet with you. We should go to the spot."

  Smiling, Lexi replies, "That sounds wonderful. Maddie told me I should have some more alone time with you."

  "That's what I was thinking," Connor states. "We are always around other people."

  Lexi reaches over and takes his hand. He interlocks their fingers. Listening to music, they just drive. When they finally make it to the spot, they find a small patch of grass and sit down. "This is so beautiful," Lexi whispers.

  "It holds a lot of good memories," Connor says. "My stepdad beat me when I was younger. I actually don't remember a time after my mom died that he didn't. So, when we came here, it was peace for me."

  "I never had a space like that," Lexi replies. "Thank you for sharing this with me."

  He scoots over by her and puts his arm around her. Lexi leans her head on his shoulder, and they watch the water flow in front of them. "This is so peaceful," Connor whispers. "I feel that from myself and from you. It's an incredible feeling."

  "Isn't it," Lexi sighs. "I have never felt so at peace."

  Connor turns his head towards her and Lexi looks up at him. Leaning in, he kisses her. It's soft, but there is a background of an electrical surge. They fall back onto the grass. Lexi lays down on top of him, as they kiss. Connor's hands search her body. It ignites a fire inside of Lexi. Her legs feel weak. She has never had feelings like this before. To her, it's incredible. She feels free. For once, she feels free from who she is. It's just about them. Their connection.

  She presses herself against him. Connor takes her and rolls them, so that he is on top. Pulling away, he kisses her neck. Lexi arches her back. "Connor," she exhales.

  He kisses his way down her collarbone. "What?"

  "We need to be careful," Lexi says. "We don't want to go too far."

  "I know," he agrees. "I just have never felt anything like this before. I'm sorry. It's like I'm getting lost in you."

  Pushing him away, Lexi says, "Let's take a breather. We need to calm down."

  Connor grabs her hand and sits her up. "Sorry."

  "No," Lexi gasps, putting her hand on his face. "Never be sorry for showing affection. I like it and want it. I just don't want us to get too far ahead of ourselves."

  "I understand."

  She smiles and leans in and gives him a gentle kiss. “Yent a kinu.”

  “What does that mean?” Connor asks.

  “‘I love you’ in Neturu.”

  “Say it again,” he instructs.

  “Yent. A. Kinu,” she emphasizes. She smiles and leans in and gives him a gentle kiss. “I’m so glad that my parents made me go to school.”

  “Imagine that,” Connor teases. “Parents actually knowing what they are talking about.”

  “I guess they are right, once in a while,” Lexi laughs.

  “I just don’t think this the outcome they were going for.”

  Lexi shakes her head. “No, it’s not, but it will be okay. Like you said, I can disappear. They really can’t control me. Sooner or later, they will have to accept it.”

  He tilts his head. “At least, that’s what we hope.”

  “They wouldn’t want me to disappear,” Lexi replies. “You and I are a package now, so they will have to figure it out. We don’t have to advertise it to other Neturu. Anyway, my father dated humans when he was younger. So, did my mom. They just never told anyone what we are. My mom thinks that is what we are doing right now. She has no idea that you know. I am going to keep it that way for a while. If my dad finds out, he will blow up. Probably, like an atomic bomb.”

  “Well, I will try and not be there for that,” Connor laughs.

  “Oh no, if I have to deal with it, so do you,” Lexi laughs, too.

  Connor shakes his head. “No way, he can do crazy alien stuff to me. There’s no way I’m going to let that happen.”

  “You? I would never let that happen. You’re safe with me,” Lexi replies. “I don’t think they are stupid enough to cross me. I would never hurt anyone, but they have no way to stop me. They know nothing about those stones. So, really, I can do whatever I want, and you said that to me once.”

  He nods. “That’s true.” He grabs her into his arms. “I just could never lose you.”

  “You won’t,” Lexi promises. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  They look out onto the horizon.

  Chapter 17

  “So, they’re calling soon?” Connor asks.

  “I said five,” Lexi replies, looking at the phone.

  The phone suddenly rings. “Hello?” Lexi says.

  “Lexi, it’s Jenkins. We think we’re all set.”

  “That’s good. What’s the plan?”

  He quietly says, “Have Connor come here directly after school. It will take us longer to get to Alaska than you. Once there, I will text you the address in which you should meet us. Is your Uncle Mason still on board?”

  “Yes, I talked to him yesterday,” Lexi replies. “He’s all set. My Aunt Ariel thinks we are going on a snowboarding trip.”

  “Perfect. So, we can meet up tonight, and then we can tell you the plans.”

  “Okay, you still have the suits?”

  “Yes, we will have them with,” Jenkins states.

  Lexi asks, “Who’s all going with?”

  “Just Elizabeth, Andrew, and myself,” Jenkins answers. “Connor can come with, but I’m afraid he will just be in the way.”

  She shakes her head. “No, he should be left behind. I would be worried about him. My mom taught me a lot, and you can’t have distractions on a mission.”

  “That’s very true. Okay, we will meet up with you at the address later tonight.”

  “Sounds good. Connor will come straight after school.”

  “We will grab him and go right away. We should keep this conversation short. See you in Alaska.”

  Nodding, Lexi says, “See you then. I will have Lana, Ashe, and my uncle Mason.”

  “All right, good luck, Lexi.”

  “Thank you, Jenkins.” She hangs up the phone. “You need to go there right after school.”

  Connor nods. “I can do that. I’m already packed. My stepdad seemed excited that I was going to be gone for the weekend.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Connor,” Lexi sighs.

  “Hey, listen, I have you now. I have Derrick and Maddie. Life is okay. Next year, I will graduate. That’s when I get my trust for college. So, I can leave him behind and never look back.”

  “We need to go to college together,” Lexi exclaims. “Where should we go?”

  Raising an eyebrow, Connor says, “Pretty sure, we can’t afford the same schools.”

  “I don’t need to go to an Ivy League college,” Lexi replies. “I can go anywhere. Remember what I want to do.”

  He nods. “That’s true. Then yes, we should go to college together. We should really start planning that because we have to get everything set for next year.”

  “We should go as far away from my family as possible,” Lexi says. “Like New York, Florida, the other side of the planet.”

  “Have you ever really been away from your family?” Connor asks. “You’ve
been around the world, but have you ever really been away from them?”

  Lexi shakes her head. “No, that’s what I am so excited about! They will need to know about you before then, though. I can’t live in a dorm. They will have to have security where we live. And, I have to be able to take my contacts out.”

  “We have a year to figure that out,” Connor says. “I say we figure this out first, before dropping that we are together. That’s a whole bomb in itself.”

  Smiling, Lexi thinks, We are connected now.

  He looks at her. Yes, we are. It’s great that we can communicate, no matter how far apart we are.

  Yeah, it’s like our own private thing. They can’t track this, either. So, we will be safe for a while.

  Will you give me the answers to things I don’t know in school? He grins broadly.

  Lexi narrows her eyes. “No, I will not assist you in cheating. I’ve told you that already.”

  “But, what joy is there in secret communicating if I can’t have some fun with it?”

  “We can have fun with it,” Lexi replies. “That doesn’t mean you have to cheat. Get through school on your own accord.”

  He smiles even more. “Fine, I won’t cheat.”

  “But think about it, if classes are boring, we can talk,” Lexi declares.

  “True,” Connor agrees. “So, what should we do now?”

  “What would you like to do?”

  Getting a mischievous look on his face, Connor leans forward. “Where are Maddie and Derrick?”

  “At Maddie’s house, why?” Lexi asks.

  “We are going to surprise them,” Connor teases.

  She narrows her eyes. “No, we are not.”

  “They need to tell me,” he snorts. “What’s a better time?”

  Lexi shakes her head. “You’re horrible. You should let them tell you when they are ready.”

  “Okay, then let’s go make it awkward,” Connor exclaims. “I promise to tell them I know. Let me get them to squirm for like fifteen minutes. Then, I will tell them.”

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  He grins. “Not sure, but I can be a handful.”

  “Obviously,” Lexi draws out. “Okay, let’s go. Let’s get this over with.”

  Connor turns the car on and looks incredibly excited. Lexi rolls her eyes.

  When they get to Maddie’s, they walk up to the door and knock. “This is exciting,” Connor gleefully says.

  “I swear, fifteen minutes. That’s all you get,” Lexi hisses.

  The door opens, and Maddie is standing there. Her eyes instantly widen. “Oh god.”

  “Hi!” Connor cheers.

  “Hi,” Maddie says. “What are you guys doing here? I thought you had important plans.”

  “We are done with them,” Connor replies. “We thought, hey, we will come visit my cousin.”

  Suddenly, Derrick walks up behind them. He looks shocked. “Ummm, Derrick came over for homework help,” Maddie mumbles. “I was helping him.”

  “Really?” Connor chirps. “Being a grade higher, I didn’t think you could help him.” He just gives them a glowing smile.

  Derrick and Maddie look at each other. “Oh stop,” Lexi finally snaps. She looks at them. “He knows.”

  “Man, you are such a mood killer,” Connor groans.

  Maddie shakes her head. “You told him?”

  “No,” Connor states. “She did not tell me. I have known for a while.”

  “What?” Maddie gasps. “We just got together.”

  Connor sticks his hands behind his head. “Yeah, well, I know you two better than you know yourselves. I knew you had a thing for each other a long time ago. When Lexi wouldn’t tell me what was going on, I knew.”

  “So, you let us just freak out for no reason,” Maddie seethes.

  He shrugs. “I was waiting for you to tell me.”

  “You’re a jerk, Connor!” Maddie yells. She punches him in the arm.

  “Ow!” Connor yells. “God, woman, you’re crazy.”

  Derrick leans forward, “So, you’re not mad? You don’t want to kick my ass?”

  Laughing, Connor says, “No, I don’t care. Anyway, pretty sure if we fought you would win.”

  “That’s true,” Derrick replies, finally smiling. “I’d let you get a shot in so you didn’t have to feel bad.”

  “Thanks,” Connor snorts. “Well, are you going to invite us in, or are we going to hang out on your porch?”

  “Yeah, come in,” Maddie says. She steps aside. Connor and Lexi walk in. Maddie shuts the door. “Listen, mom’s having a bad day, so please, don’t say anything.”

  Lexi smiles. “Can I meet her, or is it not the right time?”

  Maddie shakes her head. “No, it’s okay. She’s just in a lot of pain.”

  “Just introduce me,” Lexi says.

  “Come on,” Maddie waves. They follow her through the house. Finally, they get to a den. Her mom is laying on the couch.

  She tries to sit up. “Connor, honey, who is this?”

  “This is Lexi,” Connor says. “Lexi, this is Alice, my aunt.”

  Stepping forward, Lexi reaches out her hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

  “I would shake your hand dear, but I’m in a lot of pain,” Alice replies.

  “People say I have a healing touch,” Lexi states.

  Alice laughs lightly. “Okay, gently, please.”

  She steps forward and takes Alice’s hand carefully. Lexi places her other hand on top. Alice takes a deep breath in. “Oh my gosh.”

  “What?” Maddie asks.

  Alice looks up at Lexi. “You do have a healing touch.”

  “Energy work,” Lexi says.

  “Honestly, at this point, I don’t care,” Alice sighs. “Every day is a battle.”

  Can you heal her? Connor asks.

  Yes, but it has to be when she’s sleeping. No one can see me. I can start the healing process. It will take me a few times.

  I will make it happen.

  Okay.

  “Whatever you did, I do feel a little better,” Alice says. “Thank you.”

  Maddie smiles. “Lexi is like my new best friend, Mom.”

  “Oh, this is the girl you were talking about.”

  “Yeah, Mom, she’s great,” Maddie says. “Stood up to Jackie like it was nothing.”

  Alice shakes her head. “I’ve known that girl since she was little. She was always a trouble maker.”

  “She hasn’t bothered us lately,” Connor says. “I told her to leave me alone. So far, she has.”

  “She was obsessed with you,” Alice laughs. “I mean, she was wherever you were.”

  He chuckles and shakes his head. “I just didn’t want to hurt her, but in the end, I had enough.”

  “Well, honestly, I’m glad she’s not around anymore,” Alice states. “She was incredibly fake and acted like I had some disease she was going to catch.”

  “She needs to catch something,” Lexi snorts. “Like a better attitude.”

  Alice shakes her head. “So, what are you kids doing?”

  “We just stopped by to see what was up,” Connor replies. “Lexi wanted to meet you.”

  “Well, I’m nothing exciting,” Alice sighs.

  “Umm, you raised this amazing girl,” Lexi scoffs. “That’s pretty awesome.”

  Smiling, Alice says, “Yeah, she’s a great girl.” She winces. “I’m going to take a nap if you don’t mind.”

  “Just relax,” Lexi instructs. “Rest can do a lot for you.”

  “I do it a lot,” she snorts. “You kids have fun.”

  Maddie steps forward and tucks her mom in. “You take a nap, Mom. Feel better.”

  She nods. “I think this will help a little.”

  “We will go down to the basement,” Maddie says. “We’ll be quiet.”

  “Hell no,” Connor exclaims. “We are going to start a marching band.”

  Rolling her eyes, Alice says, “Connor, y
ou haven’t changed.”

  He walks over to her and kisses her head. “We will be quiet, Aunt Alice. Don’t worry. Just rest.”

  “Be good,” Alice yawns.

  “Let’s go downstairs,” Maddie whispers. Everyone follows her out of the room. They go down into the basement. It’s is finished. There are couches and a TV.

  “This is nice,” Lexi declares.

  With a nod, Maddie says, “Yeah, it’s my own private space.”

  Connor runs over and jumps onto one of the couches. “Come, sit with me, Lexi.” She shakes her head and smiles. Walking over, she sits down next to him. He wraps his arm around her. “What should we watch?”

  Maddie and Derrick go and sit down on the other couch. They kind of sit away from each other. Derrick shrugs, “I don’t care.”

  Laughing, Connor says, “I know you are together. You don’t have to act like you guys have leprosy.”

  “Well,” Maddie replies. “It’s new for us.”

  He shoos her with his hand. “Whatever, fine, don’t act like a couple.”

  “It’s weird in front of you, man,” Derrick declares. “We were so worried about you finding out.”

  With a smirk, Connor replies, “I have known for a long time. The way you two talked about each other.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Maddie gasps.

  “It’s not my place,” he states. “You two had to figure it out on your own.”

  “You’re not upset at all?”

  Connor shakes his head. “I have no problem with you being together. So, on to better things! I’m hungry. I want a pizza.”

  “And breadsticks!” Lexi gasps.

  “And chicken wings,” Derrick adds on.

  “Taco pizza!” Maddie exclaims.

  Lexi’s jaw drops. “There’s no such thing as taco pizza.”

  “Yes, there is,” Maddie replies. “From the restaurant we order from. It’s great. It even has tortilla chips on top.”

  Smiling, Lexi says, “If there is such a thing as taco pizza, we’d better order two.”

  “Sounds good,” Connor chimes.

  She reaches into her back pocket. “Use my credit card. It’ll be on my parents.”