Fire's Flame [Elements Book 1]
Page 1
Table of Contents
Title Page
ELEMENTS BOOK 1: FIRE’S FLAME
by
C.L. Scholey
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
Published by
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
Copyright Ó 2014 by C.L. Scholey
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-61160-728-4
Credits
Cover Artist: Gemini Judson
Editor: Melanie Billings
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
GAME ON!
This is one married couple whose appetites for each other grow ever stronger with each passing year. They thoroughly enjoy discovering new ways to keep the spark alive and thriving. Allowing another couple to share in their fun only seems to increase the possibilities.
Keeping the love alive is certainly not a problem for Mac and Jenney, which makes their escapades deliciously fun to read. ~Coffee Time Romance
ENGULF: NEW WORLD BK 5
Abri is a strong female heroine. She didn't let deafness define who she is. Raiden is a likeable guy. Why? Even though Abi is deaf Raiden picked her for his female.
C.L. Scholey has done a terrific job of creating this futuristic romance series. We have action, romance, adventure & mystery all in 102 pages. ~ Romance Bookaholic Traveler
THE BRETHREN OF TAVISH: VAMPIRE COVEN BK 1
The Brethren of Tavish is a wonderfully written book. The characters are well rounded and bring you into the story as if you were really there. The story flows smoothly tying one part to the next. The plot is well thought out, giving you plenty of action,.. ~ Night Owl Reviews
Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books:
www.torridbooks.com
GAME ON!
New World Series
SHIELD
ARMOR
IMPENETRABLE
APPARITION
ENGULF
Vampire Coven Series
THE BRETHREN OF TAVISH
A VAMPIRE TO WATCH OVER ME
Unearthly World Series
BAY’S MERCENARY
ZURI’S ZARGONNII WARRIOR
French Translations
LE GUERRIER CASTIAN - NOUVEAU MONDE TOME 1
L'ARMURE CASTIENNE - NOUVEAU TOME 2
By C.L. Scholey w/a Constantine De Bohon
Viking Warriors Series
VALHALLA HOTT
VAHALLA WOLF
VALKYRIE HEAT
NORSE VALOR
VIKING WARRIORS MEGABOOK
Books 1, 2 and 3 – VIKING WARRIORS
Dedication
For those of you who love with a fiery passion.
Chapter 1
Scorching flames leapt through the structure of an old dilapidated warehouse gaining in intensity, mimicking a building orgasm. Red fiery fingers of heat climbed the walls caressing as would a lover’s searing touch; they enveloped the ceiling and burst their way through glass windows as would an eruption of passionate, un-denied sex climaxing. Whirling on the new updrafts that were created with each explosion giving oxygen, Ignis laughed in sheer delight. He was the fire, the lover, he was in his element; he was the dominant Alpha over his dominion.
His body flowed, joined as one with the flames, danced with the heat. It was a symphony inferno and he was not only the conductor, but the orchestra. Fire was a hunter’s stalk, deadly, a silent killer, filled with purpose. It struck before you knew it was upon you. Ignis was a weapon when he chose to be. Almost as old as time, he had perfected his gift throughout the ages. The world wouldn’t exist without him.
First male child born of Mother Nature and Father Universe, Ignis had exploded from his mother’s womb in his intensity for life when time was created. It hadn’t taken him long to master his craft. With Ignis’ mother’s help and the birth of his second brother, Ventus, wind, to fan his flames all had nurtured Earth, Terra, the third brother. Ignis’ family ruled the elements. Mother Nature and Father Universe finally stopped after nine sons in their immediate galaxy. Father went on while Mother remained behind to nurture her children.
With fire came a new beginning. Anything forged in heat Ignis could destroy or create. No matter which, in the end there was always life after his destruction waned. He was the enforcer of existence. Nothing was more precious to him.
With a single breath, a massive wall blistered, bubbled and crumbled in the raw heat of the building. Ignis unleashed his phenomenal power. Explosions from fireballs burst from his palms in seeming haphazardness. Nothing about his fire was uncontrolled. It was he who controlled it. Ignis leapt as would a hungry tiger from the ceiling to prowl into the next room. Stalking the walls, he moved forward conquering, becoming the predator he was. He wished to incinerate this old foul building man had created. Yet another pimple on society he was intent on poking. Mortals, though having a purpose, could be the puss in the boil on his mother’s ass. Ignis chuckled with the thought. Mortals had been so much more entertaining and sweet when they had lived in caves and were grateful for what he could give them.
Faster, he moved on, eating up the spoils of his conquest, devouring materials with an appetite that needed to be satisfied. A thirst that needed to be slaked. With each eager step, each fervent roll amidst the walls, his blazing inferno engulfed every corner, lighting his way through Earth’s dimension while he remained in his element form.
Ignis pulled up short in the next room. The heated victory that rumbled in his chest became somewhat subdued. There stood a small girl-child. Her little mouth was panting in shallow puffs of air. The room sported no other doors, no windows. She must have been playing in the old abandoned building. Sweat beaded her forehead and slid down the side of her face, making wispy tendrils cling to her cheeks. Her tiny chest heaved as the air thickened. The room was hot and growing hotter.
Foolish child.
She was paralyzed with terror. Her eyes were wide when she looked at him. Ignis knew she couldn’t see the mortal image of a man, his form when not in his real element. All she could see were the walls of flames that were about to melt her to ash.
Damn, I hate this part.
The massive condemned building was supposed to be empty; Ignis had checked it himself. Where the hell had she come from? He had only wanted to play. Ignis had set this fire alone. There were times a mortal would set a blaze to cause harm, but Ignis couldn’t be everywhere at once. He loathed the thought of humans using his element for their own personal, disgusting pleasure of destruction with the intent to harm another.
Ignis sent a silent message to his mother. Did she know the child would be here? Was this the child’s time? A planned demise by Mother Nature, Father Universe? His flames could hypnotize, the child w
ould feel nothing if he chose to engulf her. Ignis would make certain there was no pain when he wrapped her tiny body in his arms to deliver her to her destination. Ignis garnered no satisfaction from killing mortals, especially the young. Poor little frightened thing. But he was never to usurp his mother’s authority or Father Universe. He listened for the response. Mother Nature’s words were whispered quietly within his mind. The child was not of Her doing or His—You have free will over her, my son, do as you see fit. Ignis relaxed, he would simply back away.
“Wait. Don’t go, please; I only wanted to see.”
He heard the child’s small plea and he was amazed, as their eyes connected. She can see me. It shouldn’t be possible. This was a new dilemma. Ignis came close but controlled his flames’ intensity, deciding her fate. There was nowhere left for the child to flee. She was trapped. By the time he circled her, his blaze was nothing more than a brilliant light show, void of heat. The flames’ heat would have taken the child’s much needed oxygen; he didn’t want to suffocate her.
Round and round he spun; his brilliance of orange, blue and red danced circles while his curiosity grew. She was a pretty little thing, perhaps ten or eleven earth years. Long red hair dropped in ringlets to her waist. A small spatter of freckles dotted across her tiny nose. Her golden eyes were like a sunset. Ignis had a fondness for the sun, though she had spurned him.
“Hmm,” he pondered aloud. “What to do with you, my pretty.”
She looked at him filled with awe, not fear, and his curiosity grew. Normally, humans were screaming and clawing at things to get away from him when he unleashed his awesome power. This little bit of fluff looked like she wanted to touch him. In fact, her hand lifted, his breath caught—she wouldn’t, would she? She ventured that one tiny hand through the sizzling mass of fire in front of her and laid her palm against his bare chest. The imp was touching him in his element. Ignis smiled with his bemusement. Brazen child. Many a human’s hand had he burnt with their silly fire infatuations. Mostly as simple lessons to show respect for his gift. This child he kept whole and unharmed while the flames licked up her arm in a tender caress.
“You shouldn’t play with fire, my little flame,” Ignis scolded, his tone gentle. She saw him; he wondered if she could hear him while he was in his element.
She hesitated, her demeanor shy, then forged ahead with the innocence of the young, answering his unspoken question. “You’re so beautiful I just couldn’t help myself. Your short hair is the color of my own. I like how it waves into tiny curls at your ears. Your eyes are like perfect sunsets on water. You smell so wonderful, like heated potpourri my mother puts on our stove.”
Her words were barely more than a whisper, but it was enough to twist his lips into a small grin. A romantic—how adorable in one so young. Perhaps not a child of only ten, perhaps a petite pre-adolescent on the verge of puberty. Her gaze was rapt adoration. Around him, the fuel for his fire was slowly dying and only charred remains sizzled. The circle he had made around the girl was untouched while he protected her. He would let her leave when the ashes wouldn’t sear her running shoes. She was delightful, delicate; her little face was animated, without any signs of fear. Ignis dropped his element and stood as a man before her. Her hand remained on his bare chest. A loincloth of cooled fire covered his manhood.
“You look like a wrestler my daddy likes,” she gushed.
Ignis chuckled. He was six-foot-five in his human form. Very large compared to the small child. His powerful muscles flexed to make her smile. Yes, he was built big, like all of his other brothers. It was their parents’ wish. Ignis saw no harm in offering her a doting smile. Her appreciation of him was earnest. Normally, Ignis watched humans from a distance; oh, some females caught his attention from time to time. Some humans were very cute. Ignis had a soft spot for human children. It saddened him when his flames were the kiss of death. If it wasn’t the end of their time on earth, Ignis found a way to spare lives. Sometimes it proved to be a bit tricky. Miracles, the humans called them. He was happy he could spare this child; she was an enchanting little thing. The way she looked at him, like he was a God.
The girl suddenly coughed and Ignis frowned. Her hand left his skin to fly to her lips when she coughed again and again. Smoke was billowing around them. The child’s face turned left then right. She looked at Ignis with fear—not of him, but with hope he would save her from another presence she was obviously seeing as well. Ignis narrowed his eyes. His brother, Fumus, was here.
“I don’t remember inviting you,” Ignis roared as the child gasped and collapsed against him, her little red face buried into his side. With fury, Ignis ignited his brutal flames and pushed the smoke back. His broad arm encircled the girl. The damned smoke seeped through his barrier to slip into the child’s nose and mouth.
“Where there’s smoke there’s fire,” Fumus said and chuckled, behaving like the imp he was.
“I have spared her life,” Ignis snapped.
“Perhaps I won’t.”
The words enraged Ignis. How dare he? Mother would be angry if they fought, but his youngest brother needed to be taught a lesson. Ignis snarled and curled a massive fireball before him. The child was still struggling for breath and clinging to him for dear life. Her pitiful whimper sent a surge of seething anger down Ignis’ spine, the likes of which he had never felt before. Fumus would pay for this. Before Ignis could hurl the fireball, a powerful wind blew the atmosphere clear and the girl drew in deep breaths of clean air. Ventus, Ignis’ brother, second born of Mother Nature, now stood beside him.
All three brothers regarded one another. In his anger, Ignis’ flames still whipped around his waist, rolling across the child’s back, leaving no harm. Fumus’ swirls of billowing, misty, smoke slipped around his torso in a loving caress.
“Mother wishes to see you,” Ventus informed Fumus.
His words were controlled. Ventus was always the mediator, but Ignis could see by the whirl of wind ruffling his hair and flowing across his body distorting his image he was angry. The churning wind of his brother added intensity to Ignis’ flame…and it appeared the child had become the flame. With her arms wrapped around Ignis, she looked perfectly content to stay where she was, even though the image must have been more than her little mind could fathom. For now, Ignis pondered another thought.
Both Ignis—fire, and, Fumus—smoke, had hot tempers that could smolder and blaze. Fumus never got over the fact he wasn’t born before Ignis. But fire started with a spark, not a piddly puff of smoke. In the early years, they warred often; smoke trailing after fire, an annoying baby brother. When the two did battle they struck fear into the hearts of others. Fumus could be careless; he had learned nothing from their battle of 1871. The great Chicago fire—poor Mrs. O’Leary and her cow. All along, it had been Fumus’ fault. Fumus was lucky their brother interfered now, he should know better than to infuriate fire.
Fumus sighed. “I wasn’t going to kill the child, I was only teasing. Besides it’s only a small human. A toy. Ignis was about to hurl a fireball at me—his own brother.”
“You have much to learn little brother,” Ventus said with narrowed eyes. “You never take the life of a brother’s spared, you know that.”
It was the one rule their mother imposed. If each human had to go through each of the nine element brothers during any disaster there would be no more humans left. Some of the brothers had yet to learn mercy, Fumus was one; their mother had been known to step in and temper them. The only one allowed to interfere with the law was their mother—in either a yay or nay scenario. Fumus nodded and looked solemn when he left.
Ignis gazed down on the child who stared raptly at both Ignis and his brother. It was an odd feeling to have the arms of a human wrapped around him in life. Normally, it was he who embraced them in death; this tiny flame had more than a spark of courage.
“Well?” Ventus asked, eying the child curiously.
Ignis sighed. “She can see me in my element. In fact, she
saw Fumus and from her expression, she can obviously see and hear you too. No human has ever seen me before when I’m in my element, at least not all of me—it’s unheard of. Oh, some have been positive they have seen a face in the flames, a dancing arm or something alive, but this one sees me whole.”
“Intriguing. Is my brother finally taking a real notice in human life? Humans are pleasurable at times.”
“She’s just a human child,” Ignis stormed. “Besides, my heart belongs to another.”
“Ah yes, Sun. Remember my brother, Sun is in love with Moon and look what happened to him when she got too close.”
Ignis knew what happened. Moon had been lush and vibrant billions of years ago. Earth had yet to be born and Sun and Moon flirted shamelessly. When Moon and Sun acted on their love, she had scorched Moon beyond repair until there was no trace life had ever existed. Moon was a wasteland of feeling, both pain and pleasure. He was a soul with a desert of emptiness. Moon had given up everything for fleeting moments of passion. Sun and Moon met again and again, and though both saw what havoc it wreaked on Moon they couldn’t stop themselves. Moon was depleted of handsome beauty, ravaged beyond repair, and still Sun loved Moon.
Ignis was different. He had reminded his mother yet again hours earlier when she had tried to urge him to stop his exhaustless pursue of Sun. He too was fire. Surely Sun would see that in time. She couldn’t spurn him for all eternity.
“Sun will come around,” Ignis said wistfully, envisioning her fiery beauty. Sun, like Ignis created life. They would make the perfect couple if she would just give him a chance, a fleeting moment of her immortal life.
“Sun will never come around, brother,” Ventus said with a gentle air. “Moon shows her his love is full with her every month when he shines bright just for her. His beacon is a magnet she can’t ignore. They meet and he is depleted when his love is spent. The cycle starts over as he regenerates.”
Ignis didn’t like to be reminded Sun took Moon as her lover once a month. The fullness of Moon’s love not only impassioned Sun but humans as well. There was something that charged the air with a full moon. When Moon and Sun met there were those humans and some animals who felt their union and became different.