by Cali Mann
“That’s not love,” I muttered.
She wrapped her hands around mine. “I’m so glad it’s not your kind of love, my dear. But some of us aren’t so lucky.”
“You could have left. You aren’t mated.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, her fire nature showing through. “I love him. I wanted him at any price.”
“He destroyed you.”
“He tried.” She sighed. “Abigail loved Kaiden, and he can be very charming when he tries. But she recognized his madness and tried to run away.”
I waited. My mother was stronger than I ever thought her capable of being.
“When he met her on the stairs that day, they fought. He shoved her, and she fell, but Abigail was a full-grown air shifter. She righted herself and ran for the door.”
This wasn’t the story I wanted. I didn’t care how she’d been caught, but only where she was and how to get her out. As my mother squeezed my hands insistently, I realized that maybe it was the story she needed to tell and maybe it might be the story I needed to tell my mate someday.
“Your father met her at the door with a taser. They knocked her out and bundled her away, and no one was ever the wiser.” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “We buried an empty casket.”
“How did you find out?” I asked softly.
“He told me.”
“Kaiden?”
“No, your father.” Mom shuddered. “He thought after all these years that I was cowed. That I could take anything.”
Anger inched up my spine. He’d always underestimated Mother. Of course, I’d underestimated her too. I’d never known anyone with more pure stubbornness in my life.
“He was drinking, as he does, and muttering about Hailey, and I listened. He didn’t mean to mention Abigail, but he didn’t know what he was saying.” She stood and walked to the window.
She always seemed so fragile to me, with her willowy form and her quiet manner. “And he told you about Abigail’s imprisonment.”
Mom nodded. “Yes, and now I’m looking for someone to help me break her out. You’d think the Council would want to take this opportunity to hit Kaiden.”
“Won’t Dad tell him you know?”
“If he remembered anything he said in that state.” She laughed. “Besides, what if he did? I’m the mouse, remember. They would never imagine I’d dare to do anything.”
Likely not. I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of my mother putting herself in even more danger. Adrian hadn’t seemed very confident that the Council would listen or even be interested in what she said. But how did I help them all? I didn’t want to leave Hailey alone, but as a dragon, I had the most power. I could help break her mother out and reunite them. Terrin and Adrian could protect Hailey and help get Sciro through this whole mess. It made the most sense.
“I’ll help you,” I said.
“No, I don’t want you in any danger.”
“I’m always in danger. I’m mates with a spirit shifter,” I said. “The Council isn’t going to help you.”
“Why not? This is their best chance of hitting Kaiden at his base.”
“They are spread too thin already. Remember, they had to hold Sciro’s trial here because they couldn’t guard the Council and the Oracle at two different places.”
She scoffed, but then she studied my face. “It’s true? He’s worn them down that much?”
I nodded.
“That’s insane. How can that be? We’re a large community.”
“The Council might be our ruling body, but they haven’t made themselves many friends among shifters. Killing off babies will do that to your reputation.”
“But they were spirit shifters—”
“Like my mate.”
“I know, dear, but they’ve run a good smear campaign against the nature of spirit shifters for generations, and Kaiden hasn’t helped contradict them.”
“True, but Kaiden scares everyone, and no one is willing to die for the Council.”
She dropped into her chair again, raising her hand to her brow. “Then I’ve come for nothing.”
“I will help you. The two of us can get in and out without anyone knowing we were even there. A larger rescue would be too obvious.”
Her worries were written across her face. She squeezed her hands on her knees and said, “You may be right.”
“Of course, I’m right,” I said with a wink. All those times I wanted to rescue my mother and make her give a damn about herself, and all I had to do was give her someone else to care about. She showed more fire and brimstone about Abigail’s fate than she ever had her own. As Hailey had said, even if surrounded by riches, a cage was still a cage, and I was glad my mother had finally broken out of hers.
10
Hailey
We were called into the chapel again. All the students and teachers filled up the rows of pews. Headmaster Larkin looked just as uncomfortable at the front of the room, and the Council were lined up in chairs behind her.
“Welcome, students and faculty,” she said. “We are most honored here at Thornbriar to be hosting the Council during their stay. We are humbled and gratified to find that the Oracle herself has arrived as well.”
The Oracle sat in the center of the eight members of the Council. She looked young and girlish beside their stern faces. Her blonde hair flowed over her shoulders, and she wore pale yellow robes. A half-disc rose from her collar, framing her face. She looked like pictures I’d seen once of angels. I couldn’t remember where I’d seen them, but they were very clear in my mind’s eye.
Behind her chair, two tall, broad men stood, their arms crossed. They wore dark suits and looked severe. Their eyes scanned back and forth across the room. Guards, I assumed.
“Students are to remember that the upper floors are off-limits, as well as the south quarter of the basement. Additional guards will be placed throughout Thornbriar for security.” Headmaster Larkin’s lip twisted as if this policy was against her better judgment. “Please go about your classes normally.”
The Headmaster continued on. The Council looked bored behind her, and the Oracle remained impassive. She rose as the Headmaster closed her speech and lifted her hand to dismiss us.
“The Oracle speaks,” called out a thin, high voice, echoing in the chapel.
The Headmaster took a step back, bowing her head, as did everyone else in the room. I tried to mimic their poses, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off the Oracle. She stood, gathering her robe around herself, and walked to the alter. Adjusting her cape, she turned to the audience.
“I was invited here to Thornbriar Academy on the behest of the late Professor Samuel Ward,” she intoned as if she were casting a spell on us. We all waited, breath held, for her to continue. Her voice was thick with power, but still somehow sounded light and lyrical.
“The Professor’s death was not an accident, but cold-blooded murder. The Council believes they have found the culprit.” She folded her hands inside her sleeves. “I believe they are wrong.”
Gasps rippled through the audience.
“When he invited me, the Professor informed me that he had suspicions of a spirit shifter residing at Thornbriar.”
“Impossible,” blurted the Headmaster, and then her head sank lower. “Forgive me, Oracle,” she murmured.
“I believed so too,” the Oracle said. “There were protections placed on Thornbriar Academy to keep this situation from occurring, but these protections have worn down over time.”
I blinked. Thornbriar was somehow spelled to keep me out? Is that why Kaiden had wanted to meet in the forest? I’d never felt anything strange. Nothing that I recognized anyway. I bit my lip. Could some spell be affecting me, and I didn’t know it? Something to make me more unstable, even with my mates?
“In seeking to reveal the spirit shifter’s identity, I assume that Professor Ward spooked him or her and it led to his death.”
“We have the suspect in custody,” a Council member said. “He does not appear t
o be anything more than an air shifter.”
The Oracle nodded. “Then I believe you have either the wrong suspect or are mistaken about his element. We will commence testing tomorrow.”
“You will test the suspect?” Headmaster Larkin asked.
Turning her eyes to the Headmaster, the Oracle said, “We will begin with him, but, if he is not a spirit shifter, then we will continue to test each student one by one.”
Dread sliced through me. Test the students? Everything we’d feared was coming true. We had to leave immediately. I glanced around at the doors, and guards stood at each one. The guards already covered almost all of Thornbriar. I hadn’t really noticed them multiplying as the Council settled in.
Terrin stroked my hand, a soothing sound coming from his throat, and I glared at him.
But then I felt the silence. It had settled over the room like a blanket. The Oracle was scanning the room, her eyes inspecting each occupant.
I took a breath, forcing my racing heart to slow and my body to calm. I focused on my breath, feeling it go in and out. I narrowed my vision to the spine of a book that had been shoved in the pocket of the pew ahead of me. I practiced all of the focus techniques that Professor Frank had taught us.
Terrin held my hand, Adrian brushed his fingers over my elbow, and Brenton touched my neck, each of them letting me know they were there, and we would get through this together. I sighed, relaxing into their support, and it was as if I’d been lifted between them.
My panic eased, and I was able to meet the Oracle’s eyes clearly and steadily as she passed over us. Only I didn’t think that no one else would do that; their heads were all bowed. She smiled.
Shit. Did she know somehow? Everyone told me she couldn’t tell by looking. My fear escalated again, and I pulled myself, fighting tooth and nail, back to my breathing exercise. There was nothing I could do in this exact moment. I was here. Now.
The Oracle seemed satisfied with whatever she’d been looking for, and she returned to her chair.
A low growl echoed through the room, and a cacophony of sounds followed: bird calls, wolf howls, seal barks, and low grunts. My head swiveled back and forth, staring at the students around me. What were they doing?
Headmaster Larkin held up her hand, and the sounds quieted. “I know that it is not in our natures to be caged, shifters.”
The Oracle watched impassively.
“But as a temporary measure, for the greater good, I think we can manage it.”
The sounds quieted.
Headmaster Larkin continued, “Now, return to your classes, and we will let you know if there are any developments.”
We filed out of the chapel, past the fierce-looking guards, and out into the hall. As soon as we hit the corridor, everyone started talking at once. Their voices trampled through me. Could there really be a spirit shifter at Thornbriar? Had Sciro really killed Professor Ward? Had the Oracle really just put Thornbriar Academy on lock down?
The guys stayed close and hurried me down the hall and away from it all. There was no way everyone was going to blindly go back to class. There was too much excitement. We went up the stairs to Terrin and Adrian’s suite. The window was open, letting in the cool spring air, and I crossed to it. I tried to soak in the wide blue sky and ignore the black-clothed men and women dotting the landscape. We wouldn’t be running in the woods any time soon. I swallowed. If ever again.
Adrian had plopped onto the floor, his legs crossed and his arms steepled before him. “Thornbriar hasn’t been on lockdown in forever.”
“What does that mean exactly?” I asked.
“Guards at all entrances and exits and no one in the woods,” Terrin answered, leaning against the wall.
“It won’t be tolerated for long,” Brenton said. “Shifters aren’t meant to be trapped.”
I huffed. “What about the sky?”
“All air shifters are grounded,” Adrian said. “And I expect anyone flying would be shot down.”
“So, I just wait to be found?” I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat.
“No,” Terrin said. “We will think of a way out of this. You will not be executed.”
“We wouldn’t allow it,” Brenton said, settling onto the couch. I sat down next to him.
“We have time,” Adrian said. “They’re going to test Sciro first and then they’ll go through the student body.”
“We need to find a way to get Hailey out,” Terrin said.
“I’ll fly her out,” Brenton said. “They can’t shoot down a dragon.”
I shook my head. “You’re not invincible.”
“We can go through the caves,” Adrian said. “We’ll do it properly this time, marking our path so we don’t go in circles.”
“We could get lost in there forever,” I said.
“It would be a good hiding place, though,” Brenton said. “When they come for Hailey, we’ll smuggle her down there, and she can hide out.”
“They’ll know I’m guilty if I don’t show up.”
Terrin huffed. “It won’t matter. They’ll think you long gone, and, as soon as it’s safe, we’ll leave.”
“That’s as good a plan as any,” Adrian said. “But it means we won’t be able to rescue your mom. We’re all stuck here.”
“I know.” My heart ached. To know she was alive out there somewhere and not be able to save her. I leaned into the warmth of Brenton’s body, letting it soothe me. He ran his fingers up and down my spine.
“I’m going to die,” I whispered. “We’re all going to.”
“No, we’re not,” Adrian said, climbing up beside me.
Terrin crossed the room and sat on the coffee table. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
They all looked at me as if I was something fragile that was going to break. I wouldn’t, though. If I was going to, it would have happened long ago. My life had been one hard road after another. Why should my death be any different? It wasn’t only that I’d be executed, but that I’d take all these beautiful souls with me. Tears welled in my eyes.
Brenton leaned forward, lifting my hair and kissing the back of my neck. I shivered feeling the heat of him at my back. Terrin slid down in front of me, stroking my thighs.
“I don’t need a distraction,” I said.
“No,” Adrian said, lifting the hem of my shirt and pulling it over my head. “You need to be reminded that we love you and we would do anything for you.”
Terrin undid the button on my jeans and slid the zipper down. “And that no matter what, we are here for you.”
I lifted my hips, helping them to shed my clothes. My bra and underwear were new and fire-engine red. The guys grinned at my underthings.
“She’s prepared,” Adrian said with a chuckle.
“Hot,” Terrin said.
“Smoldering,” Brenton agreed. “But no fires.”
Then they all put their lips on me, and I moaned. Adrian kissed and nibbled my neck and chest, his deft hands undoing my front latching bra and freeing my breasts.
Terrin made his way up my thigh to the apex of my sex. His breath was hot through my lacy panties.
Brenton kissed down my back, his hands stroking my ass.
“You won’t run away?” I asked, leaning into Brenton’s touch and running my hands over his muscled arms.
“No,” he said gruffly. “You deserve all of us. All of our attention.” Then he leaned forward, capturing my lips with his. His kiss seared me to the core.
Pulling aside my panties, Terrin licked and nibbled at my folds. Fire roared along my nerve endings, and I forced myself to think cooling thoughts. No fires. No fires. I could do this.
Adrian pulled and sucked on my hardening nipples, his hands trailing across my stomach and cupping each breast in turn.
With their combined effort, pleasure rolled over me. My whole body sparked and tingled, ready to flame. At each touch our energy climbed further, each one contributing. Brenton’s fire swirled into Adrian’s water
and Terrin’s earth. I could feel spirit binding us all together.
Terrin’s tongue played with my clit, driving me to greater and greater heights of pleasure. Brenton held me, his fingers curled around my arms, as my body shook with orgasm.
But they didn’t let me rest.
Rolling me over on top of him, Brenton positioned himself at my entrance and pulled me down.
The others watched, hands on their cocks, waiting their turns. Their eyes were full of love and desire, and I basked in their adoration. I never thought I’d be loved like this. I never thought that I could even be loved.
I rode Brenton, speeding up and slowing down, finding my own rhythm. I gripped the fabric of the back of the couch and stared into his flame-laden eyes. Sweat soaked us both as the heat of our passion roared. The pressure built until the lava couldn’t be contained anymore. We came, crying out, together.
Falling against his shoulder, I panted, but Adrian and Terrin were already pulling me off him and dropping my tired, but exhilarated body across the arm of the couch. Adrian kissed me, long and deep and then he sat in front of me. I grinned at the sight of him, hard and ready. Lifting my head, I took him in my mouth and savored his salt-water taste.
Terrin spread my legs and drove himself into my already soaked core. I moaned. How I loved the feeling of being filled up by them, pressed between earth and water. They were perfectly balanced. They knew each other’s patterns and found their rhythm easily. Adrian stroked my neck as I took him in, and Terrin gripped my hips to pound me hard and fast. We carried each other along the fast-moving current of our pleasure until we crested the falls, exploding as one.
We lay spent and completed on the couch. Together. Perhaps for the last time, with the looming specter of the Oracle’s tests ahead. My heart was full, although a small part of me whispered that air was missing. We wouldn’t truly be complete until he was here. Whoever he was.
11
Sciro
They dragged me up the stairs to the chapel. My whole body ached from lack of blood, and my vision danced before me. The two guards pulling me—one male and one female—smelled like a feast, and I wanted to attack them, but I could barely lift my head. As we entered the chapel, the sunlight dripping through the stained-glass windows felt like glass shards against my eyes. I’d been in that basement so long, I couldn’t do more than crack my lids and peer into the bright sunlight. Ahead of me, the pews had been shoved to either side, opening a wide space in the middle, where a chalk circle had been drawn on the stone. There were other symbols there, but I couldn’t make them out through my blurred vision.
