text: Burning Love: Chapter 2 Serena could not believe her luck. She’d lost a fiancé, and somehow, she’d summoned a man, whose skin could easily withstand scorching fire. If she were still a little girl, she would’ve thought that she was inside a fairy tale, come true. Kaiden stepped out of the fire, brushing ash off of his skin, and when he did, the flames seemed to die, turning from a roaring inferno to dim embers. Serena noticed, her skin flushing with heat, that he wore only a pair of plain black trousers, and the taut, tight planes of his chest were exposed. Despite the cool of the autumn night, he didn’t seem to notice. Serena looked around for Abby, not sure how she was going to explain the sudden appearance of a half-naked stranger to her best friend. Abby was clustered nearby with their friends, a red plastic cup in hand. By the looks of her flushed cheeks, she was at least tipsy. Serena had no idea how to get her attention, but she gave Kaiden a look. “Stay here, please. I need to go get my friend.” In reply, he smiled. “I’m not going anywhere, Serena.” He reassured her. Serena crept over to Abby and their friends, grabbing Abby’s forearm. “Abby, I... I don’t feel very well.” She lied quickly, widening her eyes so that Abby could understand the urgency of the situation. “Could you come with me, please?” Abby frowned, concerned, but she turned to the rest. “I’m going to check and see if Serena is okay. I’ll be back soon, guys.” Serena dragged her closer to Kaiden, frowning. She put her hand on Abby’s shoulders. “Before I tell you what’s actually going on, you have to promise that you’ll believe me, no matter how crazy it might sound.” Abby frowned at her friend, squinting. “How much have you had to drink, Serena? I know you’re sad over Leon, but you’re scaring me.” “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol, Abs! Just listen!” Slowly, haltingly, Serena explained everything down to the last detail, no matter how small. Abby stared at her, her jaw hanging open. “Okay, so where is this magical mystery man?” Abby asked, looking around, and Serena couldn’t resist smiling, in spite of herself. Leave it to her friend to take that news without even blinking. “Come on,” Serena said, taking Abby’s hand and leading her to Kaiden, who was waiting patiently for her return. “Serena, you’re back! Is this the friend you told me about?” Kaiden asked, flashing Abby a friendly grin, eyes twinkling. “My name is Abby. What’s yours?” Abby replied, raising her brows at Serena, as if in agreement. “I’m Kaiden.” “How’d you end up here, Kaiden?” Abby asked, and Serena flushed, looking at her feet shyly. She felt exposed and vulnerable, even in front of Abby. “Well, it’s simple. Serena’s heartache summoned me to this plane. So, I answered it.” “But what *are* you, Kaiden? No offense.” “I am a fire elemental with the ability to shapeshift into a dragon.” Kaiden shrugged, smiling, a flush coming to his cheeks at their scrutiny. This time, Serena and Abby both gasped, as one.