Dark Enchantment (Elvis Presley Story)

Chapter 36

"It's quite a place," Elvis murmured. A powerful place. He could feel it's magical energy tingling along his skin and scraping against his bones. Human magic.

"It's an ancient place of worship. It gains lots of energy from that. There was also a fortress here, in the Dark Ages," Sophia said. "But it fell into ruin almost as soon as it was built, reportedly because it was possessed by the Devil."

"Humans were pretty superstitious back then," he recalled.

"No one would live there."

"Until your ancestor built this land."

"The first was a mystic, an alchemist, but not superstitious. He realised the strange happenings were because of the Ley lines on the property. He wanted to study the phenomenon. But he got a little more than he bargained for."

"The indwellers from the fertility temples," Elvis said with a wry smile.

"The place was possessed. By all-too human energy." She avoided his gaze. "We're here."

The bridge that had led around a giant oak tree to a pebbled Lane which ended at a circle at the formal front door, complete with sweeping stairway and manicured topiary.

"This is the main entrance to the central part of the Manor where the family lives." She pointed to the right, at a smaller path. "That way, around in the back, is the entrance to the east wing, which is cadre headquarters." Then she indicated a left path that branched off towards a small sheltered entrance. "We'll be staying in the family wing, but I prefer to use the side door."

He pulled up under the tastefully pillared porte cochere and came to a stop. Immediately their doors were opened by a pair of liveried footmen.

A man in immaculate black met them at the bottom of the low steps leading to the family entrance. "Good evening, Sophia."

"Good evening, Charles. This is Mr Presley. He'll be staying with us for a few days. Can you please put him in....hmm, the constantinople Room, I believe."

The man hesitated, sending a sideline glance at Elvis. He looked pained. "Yes, Sophia. I'll notify Aurora that you have arrived, shall I?"

"There's no need, thank you Charles," a firm feminine voice said from the doorway. "I'm already here."

A tall elegant woman with Sophia's face-but not her softness or her smile-leveled sharp eyes at Elvis. The physical likeness between the two women was remarkable. She stood at the top of the steps, making it necessary for Elvis to look up to meet her gaze. No doubt deliberate.

He offered his arm to Sophia and accompanied her up the steps. He sketched her sister a short sarcastic bow. Hell he could play milord with the best. "So kind of you to extend your hospitality, Aurora."

She glanced at the ring on her forefinger, which seemed to be glowing. "I wouldn't be too sure about that, demon. First your heart must be weighed by the guardians."

Sophia let out an inpatient breath. "Aurora, really."

Her sister ignored her. "I warn you, demon. If you fail the test, the only hospitality I'll extend will be to a crystal in our dungeon."

Elvis gave the Sophia look-alike his most confident smile. The hostile gaze she returned held not one iota of sympathy or understanding. All at once he was hit by a moment of panic. He'd never even considered the possibility of failing the gargoyles test. He wasn't evil. He had no malicious intent here. Not really. Maintaining balance was not malicious. Teaching a needed lesson was not evil.

Suddenly he wondered. Had he been overconfident?

What this stern woman considered evil and malicious might not jibe with his own definition. Maybe simply the fact that he was a demon who'd tried to seduce her sister was enough....

Oh, Lord. Anxiety rocketed through his whole being. Could it be he'd just made the worst damned mistake of his life?

Sophia's eyes rolled. "Honestly, Aurora. Is this any way to greet a guest?"

"You know the rules," Aurora said, her spine stiffening.

Elvis kept his mouth shut. He didn't want any part of this argument. No sense in pissing her off more than she already was.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! and thanks for reading! xoxo