Fire's Flame [Elements Book 1] by C. L. Scholey Page A

arsonist, but he did start the fire that ruined her home; it was malicious intent. Ignis wanted to pay him a visit, the human couldn’t hide forever. Until that time, he would bask in the fact the man must be seething at being unable to locate his ex-wife and children.
    From the left of the fireplace came the creak of an un-oiled door. A small girl child wearing pajamas crept from one of the tiny bedrooms into his view and went to stand before Ignis’ flames. The entire room was in shadow. Her little human feet were bare and with a simple thought, Ignis snuffed out a small wandering spark before the girl’s foot settled over it. The child watched the dancing flickers before Ignis saw a single tear slide down her cheek followed by another. She shuddered, tiny lips trembled and Ignis knew she was afraid. After all, her house had been burnt to the ground, she was homeless—she feared him.
    The idea infuriated Ignis—he was no monster, he gave a gift to humans, it was they who abused his offering. With a wave of his hand the girl jumped then held still in awe as Ignis made images come to life with his beautiful colors. Ignis loved this particular age of children, they were subject to subtle suggestion; he was determined to see this little one smile. A small pony with a long fiery mane danced across the flames making the child cock her head in disbelief. Next came a surfer who rode a high wave of bright flickering brilliance. A rolling blue flame became the ocean and fiery images of seals and dolphins swam near the surfer like an audience of admirers. The child settled onto her knees, gazing in rapt wonder, her tears no longer flowed.
    Ignis grinned as the little one sat mesmerized, but when she reached toward the flames, he made a log pop, sending the child scurrying back. Once she settled a safe distance away, Ignis once more began with the images. He told her the story of a frightened little girl who was afraid of fire, but one day she was lost in a forest and needed warmth. The story went on to show her how elated the girl was when the fire befriended her and started within the enclosure of a circle of rocks. Because she was warm and she could see her surroundings—she was safe. Ignis scared away the shadows in the cabin’s small room. Fire became her friend as long as she respected the element. Ignis made her promise; though she couldn’t see him in human form, he could offer her a suggestion within his element.
    “I will, I promise,” the girl mumbled making Ignis smile with her heart-gripping, solemn stare of honesty only a child can make.
    “Will what, Lisa? What promise, are you sleepwalking, baby? What are you doing out of bed?” her mother said; she sat up and rubbed at weary eyes.
    “Fire isn’t naughty if you are careful, Mommy,” Lisa replied.
    Her mother cuddled her into her arms. “That’s true, sweetheart. This fire is keeping us all warm.”
    “I wish it could keep us safe,” Lisa mumbled.
    I will little one.
    The woman guided the child down beside her and wrapped her in the ratty blanket. The pillow was lifted up, dusted off and settled onto the couch and their two weary heads rested side by side. Lisa kept watching the flames. Her eyes fluttered as Ignis danced his hypnotizing colors around the wood pieces. Humans were fascinated with bright shiny objects and repetition. Soon enough both mother and child slumbered. Ignis crawled from the embers and set more logs on to burn. When finished, he asked Ventus to blow a good wind which would enable the woman and her small children to pick up kindling from the forest floor.
    Ignis left the cabin and went to the backyard where he spotted a dilapidated garden. It was a pathetic mess, but lack of prints led him to believe mother and children had not ventured into this area. In fact, all Ignis detected was a trail from cabin to outhouse. The poor humans were afraid to leave the cabin’s pathetic safety. The idea infuriated him.
    Without sound, Ignis