Saved: Thornbriar Academy, #3

By Cali Mann

Madness is coming for me unless I find my fourth and final mate.

 

But my packmate is on trial for a murder he didn't commit, and my father is intent on the destruction of shifter society, and the only one who can unmask my illegal spirit shifter nature—the Oracle—is coming.

Can I keep it together long enough to save Sciro—and myself?

 

Find out now in this thrilling conclusion to the Thornbriar Academy series.

 

Saved is a spicy reverse harem novel featuring one tough-as-nails innocent and the sexy elemental shifters who come to love her (including a merman shifter, a panther shifter, a vampire shifter, and a dragon shifter). Expect fated mates, bullies, unusual shifters, vampires, and love in this new adult college-age romance.

 

READ THE WHOLE SERIES - also available as audiobooks!

Thornbriar Academy - a shifter reverse harem romance

 

Free prequel short story: Lost

Book 1: Found

Book 2: Bound

Book 3: Saved

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thornfire Publishing Co
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201613624

Book preview

Cali Mann

Saved

First published by Thornfire Publsihing Co 2020

Copyright © 2020 by Cali Mann

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

Cover art by Victoria Cooper Art

Editing by SB Editing

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

Contents

1. Hailey

2. Sciro

3. Hailey

4. Adrian

5. Hailey

6. Terrin

7. Hailey

8. Hailey

9. Brenton

10. Hailey

11. Sciro

12. Hailey

13. Terrin

14. Brenton

15. Hailey

16. Hailey

17. Adrian

18. Sciro

19. Brenton

20. Terrin

21. Hailey

22. Adrian

23. Sciro

24. Adrian

25. Sciro

26. Hailey

27. Sciro

28. Hailey

29. Terrin

30. Hailey

31. Hailey

32. Brenton

33. Sciro

34. Hailey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALSO BY CALI MANN

1

Hailey

The inky darkness of the cave surrounded us lit only by our flashlights. We’d passed the pools and came around the back side of the room where they were holding Sciro. Reaching out, I scraped my fingers along the rough dirt wall of the cavern. Anger bubbled in my chest. Trapping an air shifter in an underground cell seemed inhumane.

Turning, I scowled at the three men arrayed around me. Brenton, I understood. I was his only priority, but, for Adrian and Terrin, Sciro was their oldest friend. I have to do this.

No. Terrin’s voice was gruff. It’s too dangerous.

It’s not. I know how, I said. My dad showed me.

And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t do this, Adrian said. We can’t trust Kaiden.

When Brenton and I had told them that Kaiden Hartsman—the bane of the shifter world—was my father, Terrin and Adrian had gone into shock. I didn’t blame them. It wasn’t like I wanted to believe it either. But whether we did or not, we all knew that Kaiden wasn’t to be trusted. Still, I persisted because we needed to do something to save Sciro. If we couldn’t talk to him, how could we help him? Spirit form has nothing to do with the madness.

Brenton growled, We don’t know that. Maybe the shifts into spirit are what cause the unbalance in the first place.

This is ridiculous, I said, dusting my hands off on my jeans. Not that we knew anything for sure. Even with my three men bonded to me, I’d had episodes. Not big ones, but some. Spirit form couldn’t be the cause, though. I hadn’t shifted into spirit since the day Professor Ward was killed.

I’m going in. I glowered at them, daring them to stop me. Sciro needs us, and they won’t let us see him any other way.

The three of them frowned at me, their eyes sad as puppy-dogs. I ignored them and turned to the dirt wall. The administration had designated a temporary cell for Sciro in the basement of Thornbriar while we awaited the Council’s arrival.

We’d tried everything we could think of to get inside, but they had it locked up tight: no one in or out, except the Headmaster or the guards. The Council was arriving later today, and this would be our last chance to talk to Sciro. I needed him to understand that we were trying to help, and that we wanted my father caught as much as he did.

I let go of my awareness—as my father had shown me—and slipped into spirit form, then through the wall into Sciro’s cell. He sat on a plain cot with his face in his hands.

Frowning, I glided over to him. I didn’t know how to appear without freaking him out, and he was probably still really pissed at me. Sciro, I said, my voice soft.

Hailey? he asked, his head lifting and his brow wrinkling. He looked tired, dark circles under his eyes, and his cheeks seemed gaunt.

I’m here, I said, wanting to reach out and smooth his forehead.

How?

I let the spirit form fade, appearing before him.

His jaw dropped, but then he growled, leaping to his feet. Professor Ward is dead because of you!

No, I said, shaking my head. Because of Kaiden.

Your father, he snapped, his hands curling into fists.

Yeah. Unfortunately. I swallowed. It’s not like I had a choice. Trust me, if I did, I’d hardly go, ‘hey got any homicidal spirit shifters? One to go, please.’ Anyway, this isn’t about me. I want to help.

Help? He sneered.

You’re innocent, and we need to prove it.

Are you going to turn yourself in? His eyes narrowed.

I shook my head.

Sciro turned away toward the wall, his shoulders tight. Go away, Hailey, before I do something I will regret.

Reaching out a hand, I laid it on his shoulder, and he flinched, so I retreated. I won’t hurt you.

He laughed, low and hard. Don’t you think you’ve already hurt me enough? Killing Professor Ward, mating my friends . . . dooming us all?

No one’s doomed, I said with a huff. I won’t go crazy if I have my mates.

Who told you that? He snorted. Kaiden?

I nodded. Yes, but it’s still true.

You don’t know that.

Sciro, can’t you look at me?

He twisted around, scowling at me. I haven’t had any blood in days, and you smell like a banquet.

Oh. I knew that pain well enough. I lifted my wrist. Here. Eat.

With a hiss, he shook his head. I’m so hungry, and I hate you so much. His eyes met mine, dark and angry. If I taste you, I won’t stop until you’re dead.

A shiver ran through me at the cold violence of his words. You hate me?

Go, Hailey, he said, his voice anguished. Before I devour you.

I bit my lip, tasting the metallic blood, and he lunged at me. Diving toward the wall, I willed myself into spirit form and fell through it into Brenton’s waiting arms.

Are you okay? he asked. His eyes searched me for injuries.

I’m fine. I stood, brushing myself off, and looked over at Adrian and Terrin’s worried faces.

How is he? Terrin asked, his voice gruff.

Rough, I said with a grimace. They’ve been starving him of blood to keep him weak.

Dammit, Adrian muttered. I’ll talk to my mother.

It won’t do any good, I said sharply. You’ve been talking to her since Sciro got arrested. They’ve determined that he’s guilty and he hasn’t even had a trial.

Shifters are more violent than humans, Terrin said. The ‘innocent until proven guilty’ thing—

—doesn’t make any sense to you. I know. I brushed passed him and marched down the hall. My skin itched with the need to do something, but there was nothing to do. The smell of saltwater filled my nose as we entered the pool caverns.

It’s just the way things are, Adrian said.

Stupid. Pigheaded. Shifters. I marched across the stones. As if you can know someone’s guilty without hearing the facts. There aren’t even any facts here!

Adrian grasped my elbow, pulling me to a stop. As much as I like this fiery side of you, Hailey, he whispered against my ear. You’re supposed to be a vampire, remember?

I leaned into him, laying my head against his shoulder. Maybe you should help me cool off?

He snorted and shoved me into the pool.

What the hell? I gasped as I surfaced, my clothes soaked through.

The guys chuckled. Terrin and Adrian shucked their clothing and dived in. Brenton watched from the poolside, his eyes darkening.

I wanted to be pissed. But having two naked guys dive in after me made me bite my lip, shivering. Adrian reached me first—no surprise—and yanked me against him, pressing his mouth to mine. I wrapped my hands around his blond curls.

Behind me, Terrin’s warm skin pressed against my back and buttocks, and I sighed, sandwiched between them. Their deft hands removed my soaked clothing piece by piece. My skin longed for the soothing coolness of the water.

Glancing across the pool, I found Brenton still lingering by the edge. His eyes smoldered. Though he said he was okay with my other lovers, Brenton only made love to me when we were alone. With one hand I beckoned him, but he shook his head and headed out of the cavern. I frowned. I wished he’d join us.

Terrin lifted my hair and kissed along my shoulders. Scooping my breasts into his palms, Adrian flicked his thumb across their peaks until they hardened. Terrin’s hands roamed across my buttocks and slipped between my legs, stroking my core. I trembled beneath their ministrations. Terrin circled my clit. Then he plunged his fingers into me, and I bucked. Adrian held me, stroking my skin with feathery touches.

I reached for them, wanting to touch them as they were touching me, and they batted my hands away. No fair, I whispered hoarsely.

Adrian slipped between my spread legs, nudging at my entrance, and I opened eagerly for him. I gripped his muscled shoulders. He dived in and took up the rhythm. Washed away on waves of pleasure, I closed my eyes, tipping my head back.

Sliding his hand along my back, Terrin stroked between the curves of my ass. His breath warm against my ear, he said, I want to take you here.

That’s possible? I squeaked, and Adrian paused, his stormy eyes on us both.

Terrin chuckled. I forget sometimes how innocent you are.

Only if you’re willing, Adrian said. It is a different kind of pleasure.

I trust you, I said, meeting their eyes in turn. And I love you. I want all of you inside me. Everywhere.

Adrian laughed. As the lady wishes.

Terrin nodded in agreement. He stroked down my ass again, then used his fingers to widen and stretch me.

Relax, Adrian whispered. He kissed me, stroking my breasts and trailing nibbles across my neck.

The slow movement of his cock inside me was an aching pleasure that I couldn’t seem to get enough of. I allowed it to lull me, relaxing and feeling the love of these men who had come to mean so much to me. Their stubborn concern for my safety annoyed me, but they wouldn’t be like this if they didn’t care.

Kissing the back of my neck, Terrin gently pressed himself against my virgin hole. Slowly he worked his way in, filling me up in a way I had never been filled before. I expected pain, but there was only pleasure.

I gasped, and he paused.

Okay?

Yes, I said, pressing back against him.

Terrin groaned and slid the rest of the way in. Then, he began to move, and Adrian echoed his movements, encouraging me to be filled by both together. The exquisite pressure mounted within me as both cocks found their rhythm.

Pleasure radiated through me. I forgot who I was and where I was, lost in sensation. I cried out over and over again as we rushed toward orgasm, heat sparking through my veins and sizzling the water around us. Earth stabilized me, and water kept me cool, even as we burst into ecstasy, our bodies shaking and trembling with the intensity of our union.

2

Sciro

Istumbled back to my cot after Hailey had gone. The anger pulsed within me like a vein, and I couldn’t seem to get the image of her out of my mind. All fiery green eyes and black hair, her hands on her hips like an angry schoolteacher, she’d been determined to talk to me. Even if I despised her. Even if I never wanted to see her again.

Hailey was the devil incarnate to seep into my head this way, twisting my