Dark Enchantment

Chapter 1

Hey all! So this a new story. :) It is not a sequel to Don't Test Me. Sorry! But I hope you guys give this story a chance. I would love some feedback for this chapter.. Alight then!

Enjoy!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prologue

The sight of a father and his child walking hand in hand, laughter drifting in the wind.

The sound of a wood crackling and popping in the fireplace.

The smell of Old Spice mixed with peppermint enveloping, comforting.

The touch of a raspy beard against smooth cheek, followed by the warmth of a bear hug.

All of that taken in the space of a few seconds.

Lila Cadwell sat in the waiting room of the hospital, tears flowing unchecked down her face. The room, quiet and peaceful, bellied the turmoil going on within the lone person that sat in it. The pastel blues and yellows of the walls and furniture took on a blur of yellows and blue.

"Miss? Is there anything I can do for you? Call another family member maybe?" A caring nurse dressed in pink scrubs sat beside Lila. Placing a caring arm around her shoulders she wondered why this girl had no one else with her.

Lila suddenly shook her head violently and stood up rubbing at her face roughly. "No, but thank you." With that she turned and walked swiftly to the exit doors, shoulders set stiffly.

The nurse looked after her and shook her head with pity in her eyes. As Lila's worn jeans, scuffed shoes, and noticeably old jacket disappeared from view, she sighed slightly and said quietly to herself, "I hope that poor thing has someone she can go to. Losing your father is already hard enough. I wonder why no one else was here."

With another sigh she stood, patted her hair back into its neat bun and went back to work.

Just outside Lila leaned heavily against the hospital wall. Sobs wracked her body as she felt the loss of the last person who meant anything to her. Memories and images of her father flashed through mind.

"Papa." She sobbed and collapsed on the ground wrapping her arms around her legs and curled up into a fetal position. "What am I going to do now, papa?" Sobs shook her and she hugged herself tightly

y as if to protect herself from the world. Because it was only her against the world now...

Chapter 1

Putting her small Civic into park at the end of the long driveway framed by bare trees covered in snow, Lila turned off the car and took in a shaky breath to try and calm her nerves. She looked out her window at the dark mansion that loomed before her.

"So this is Nolan Manor..." Lila whispered to herself.

Dark curtains covered every window. Weeds grew instead of flowers showing that it has been many years since anyone has taken put in their mind to try and tame them. But even though the house was dreary, beneath the dirt and time weariness, elegance and an old time charm clearly showed through.

A movement caught her eye and she twisted her head, only to see a dark curtain slide back into place. A chill ran up her spine. She rubbed her arms to chase away the shivers. Shaking off the feeling she pulled down the mirror above her driver seat. Running her hand over her long dark brown hair she winced at her reflection. Blue eyes, framed by long dark lashes, looked back at her, set on a face that looked to pale. Prominent cheekbones and the oval structure of her face gave her a look of quiet elegance. So much like her dad...