Dark Enchantment (Elvis Presley Story)

Chapter 39

Charles announced Sophia's father just as she was accepting a drink from Elvis. They were standing next to the drinks cart in the dining room. Shit. She'd been hoping to have downed at least two before facing him. No demon had ever dined at their table before. This was not a casual occasion, and everyone knew it. Everyone except maybe the demon.

Her father strode into the room. Retirement from active cadre service had done him a world of good. Too bad it had done the opposite for her. Still, she couldn't blame him for her lot in life. Much.

"Aurora," Charles announced, pulling Sophia back from the edge of feeling sorry for herself. Or perhaps tumbling her over it.

Aurora was dressed in a flowing crimson silk gown which exactly matched the Ruby of her ring. Sophia was glad she'd changed into a royal-blue satin dress, floor length. Her only jewelry was a pair of blue sapphire earrings. Elvis hadn't taken his eyes off her since the stairs. But then, neither had she, him. He looked so handsome. She had warned him the others would be pulling out all the stops-but Elvis hadn't been the least bit fazed. If anything, he looked far more comfortable in his shoes than she felt in hers.

"Sophia, it's so good to see you," Her father said, kissing her cheek. "Despite the circumstances."

So Aurora hadn't spoiled her surprise. She smiled. "It's always good to be home, I'd like you to meet my friend, Elvis."

She introduced the two men, who shook hands and exchanged greetings while Charles served more drinks.

Her father looked Elvis in the eye and said, "I understand your looking for the cadre's protection, Mr Presley. What have you done to put yourself on The Government's most wanted list?"

"I wish I knew, Sir," Elvis said. "I was shocked by the attack as Sophia was. I was hoping you might have an idea as to their motive."

"No sinister plots up your sleeve?"

"Not at all, I'm afraid."

At that Aurora snorted softly. Sophia darted her a scowl. Whatever he was up to, it wasn't sinister. The gargoyles had confirmed that. "Dad, Elvis came to the mortal realm to negotiate a trade."

"What kind of trade?"

Elvis smiled. "An object has fallen into my possession which I understand you are looking for. I am willing to give it to you for the cadre's protection until I can find out what's going on with Marcolf."

Her father started to speak, but before he could say anything, Aurora interrupted. "How did you get here?" She asked Elvis, her voice edged with hardness.

He blinked, taken by surprise. "Excuse me?"

"To the mortal realm. How did you bridge over? Do you have a familiar?"

His mouth opened, then closed. "Well, I..." He hesitated.

"I brought him over," Sophia jumped in. She wasn't about to let him fall on his sword for her. "I accidentally read a conjuring spell aloud during a lecture a few weeks ago." She smiled at him wryly. "One morning he showed up."

Aurora's eyes narrowed. "How convenient. What kind of spell was it?"

Elvis took over again. "Nothing too specific. When the spell came in and I realised who the summoner was, I petitioned the Grigori to give it to me. I managed to convince them."

"How very convenient. And what kind of demon are you that qualified you to satisfy my sister's spell?" She placed just the merest shade of emphasis on satisfy.

Sophia felt her face go hot. And her temper. Damned Aurora! She just couldn't leave it alone. Couldn't let Sophia have her one moment of glory without spoiling it for her. "That's none-"

Elvis stepped forward and cut her off. "I am an incubus," he said with a charming, roguish grin for Aurora. "The spell was a general one of fulfillment. Broad enough that I could make a case for myself. I had thought- " He spread his hands in supplication to her increasingly alarmed and angry father. "Well, needless to say miss Sophia showed me one of your cadre crystals and told me what i could do with that exchange." He made a face of a very chastened naughty boy. "Then all hell broke loose-" He feigned contrition and bowed. "Excuse me, ladies. When Marcolf attacked, the whole question was moot." He sighed dramatically, the disappointed suitor.

Aurora scowled, but didn't say anything more.

Sophia couldn't believe it. He'd told the truth-well, a distant version of it anyway-she'd come out smelling like a rose. She hazarded a glance at her father. Relief etched on his face as he looked at her, and in his eyes were a definite twinkle of...pride.

Her heart unfurled and basked in the rare light of paternal approval. As She pushed aside the nagging feeling that she didn't quite deserve it.

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