Free Shifted by Lizzie Lynn Lee

aware of that.”
    “They’re worried about you because lately you’re going into a path of self-destruction. You’re doing drugs, you’re forgetting things. They’re afraid that one of these days, they’ll find you’ve OD’ed.”
    “What can I say? I’m trapped. I don’t want to be a porn star anymore. I’m tired and I want to quit. But Harry won’t let me. He’ll never let me go. And now I know the reason why he didn’t want to let me go.”
    Kelly went quiet. She looked guilty. “I have another thing to confess. I slept with Tyler. And Gunnar. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that to happen, but they just… They’re so irresistible.”
    “So?” Nicolla didn’t get what the fuss was all about.
    “Don’t you feel jealous that I slept with your men?”
    “Should I? We’re having an open relationship. I slept with Andi last night too.”
    “You what?” Kelly’s voice cut the air. People in the café looked in their direction.
    “I fucked. Your husband. Last night.”
    Kelly jumped out of her seat. “I can’t believe you did this to me! You’re an ignorant bitch.”
    “I’m ignorant? You’re the ignorant one. That poor man hasn’t been laid for a long time.”
    Kelly’s mouth opened and closed. Without a word, she grabbed her purse and stormed out of the café.
    “Fuck me, Freddy,” Nicolla cursed. She fished a handful of credit chips from her bag and shoved them in the hand of a waiter who happened to be standing nearby. Nicolla ran through the door to follow Kelly.
    “Wait. I’m sorry!” Nicolla caught her in the parking lot, trying to punch the code locks on her sport Bentley. But Kelly seemed so disturbed—she kept entering the wrong code and the car’s door wouldn’t open. “Kelly, listen, I’m sorry, okay?”
    Kelly broke down completely. Her crying made Nicolla feel guilty.
    “Look, I didn’t mean to seduce him. It’s just—one thing leads to another, you know? Andrew was lonely, and I knew you guys haven’t done it in months.”
    Kelly abandoned her attempt to open the car. She looked so upset she couldn’t control her shifting urge. Most Misfits were prone to their primal instinct when they were terribly upset or angry. Nicolla heard bones creaking, fabric tearing, before Kelly changed right before her eyes. She bit her lip, so she wouldn’t laugh. Kelly looked so stupid in her cat form with part of her blouse dangling from her upper body.
    “Damn it !” Kelly swore. Her tail swished.
    Nicolla hurriedly punched in the code on her Bentley and yanked the door open. She snatched Kelly’s front paws and shoved her into the car. Romana government had a strict no shifting law for their Misfits citizens while they were out of the District. Kelly could get a citation ticket and spend a night in jail if a policeman spotted her. Nicolla climbed in and slammed the door. Kelly jumped into the back seat and sat gingerly. Her golden eyes shimmered, accusing.
    “Look, I know what I did was wrong, but I just couldn’t help it. You two seem to be having a marital problem, and sometimes a problem like that can be solved simply with communication.” Her excuse was lame and she knew it. Nicolla felt like a dick when she uttered the next words. “And sex.”
    Kelly swished her tail again.
    “I’m sorry, okay? If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, just tell me.”
    “You did nothing wrong ,” Kelly mumbled in mind-speak. “ You’re living a life as me, and this thing is unavoidable .” She lifted her head and shot Nicolla a sheepish look. “ I’m sorry, I’m the one who’s being a jerk. This whole ordeal is too much for me to take. I cheated on Andi, with two men. And the worst part is I enjoyed it. I never had that kind of sex in my life. I’m really, really confused right now .”
    Nicolla wanted to laugh, but she was wise enough to resist the urge. She could see that Kelly was shaken up. Maybe because she’d lived a shielded life all these years and