Dark Enchantment (Elvis Presley Story)

Chapter 51

Aurora was waiting for them at the top of the steps to the side entrance, where she stood when Elvis and Sophia first arrived at the Manor the day before. Radiating much the same hostility.

Correction: more hostility.

The first glimpse of her expression and Elvis knew he was screwed. Hell, screwed didn't even begin to cover it.

"You," Aurora said, spearing her forefinger in Sophia's direction, "and you, demon-" She stabbed her finger towards him "-in my office."

"Aurora, I can-"

"Don't talk!" She interrupted Sophia, her voice seething. "As for you-" She waved a pyramid-shaped crystal in Elvis's face "-do not even think of trying to escape."

He held up his hands. "Wouldn't dream of it."

He replaced his arm around sophia and they followed Aurora into the Manor.

Aurora stalked into her office and slammed the door behind them, looking extremely pissed off. She stormed behind her desk and stood with her fists clenched. She still held the crystal. Energy rippled outwards from it, pricking over Elvis's skin like tiny imps with stinging pitchforks. Even the large ruby ring she always wore on her forefinger seemed to be glowing, alive with energy.

Or was it all Aurora's magic? A scary thought. Especially when he was so badly outnumbered. This could get really ugly.

"Please let me explain," Sophia began.

"There's no need." Aurora's glare sliced over him, sharper than the guardians claws. "I know exactly what is happening here. This demon has you in his thrall."

Sophia blinked. He felt a wave of guilt roil up within her as vividly as of it were inside his own body.

Maybe it was.

"Just how far have you fallen?" Aurora asked accusingly, her tone laced with disdain.

He felt Sophia's guilt shift swift as lightning into resentment, sharp, old and deep. "How dare-"

He squeezed her shoulder, and quickly said, "I have put no spell on your sister, Aurora, I swear it. We've made nothing but a simple bargain."

Her sisters eyes narrowed. "What kind of bargain?"

"You already know what I asked for," he replied evenly.

Her faces paled. "The sanctuary from Marcolf which I offered?"

Hope springs eternal.

"No. Before that. The attack happened after our bargain was struck," he informed her. "I am grateful for your protection, but it changed nothing between Sophia and me."

Her accusing eyes sought Sophia.  "You lied to me!"

"Only by omission," She said defensively. "And who could blame me? I knew this would happen."

Aurora sat down hard in her office chair and dropped the crystal onto the desk. She twisted the ring on her finger in a gesture tinged with Desperation. "So I am to late to save you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Sophia snapped. "There is nothing to be saved from. I agreed to sleep with Elvis. In exchange we got the Demon stone. I'm sure you can figure out who got the better deal."

Sophia's self-deprecation made Elvis even more furious with Aurora. He could feel the ancient hurt and sense of inadequacy pressing down on Sophia like an unbareable weight. Pressing down on him. He hated Aurora for that. Or was it Sophia who hated her? Didn't matter. It was all the same. A wash of protectiveness swept over him like a burning wind.

"I made the better deal," he growled. Sophia is worth a thousand Demon stones, and a thousand of you, Aurora.  If you can't see that you've been blinded by your own demon."

As soon as he said it, he wanted to kick himself. Brilliant move, presley. Insult the woman with the crystal.

Both she and Sophia stared at him in mute astonishment. They stared so long he thought about checking to see if he'd suddenly grew horns. Or maybe wings. And not of the faerie variety.

Dammit.

He cleared his throat. "Well, if there nothing else you want to know, we'll just be-"

Aurora came to life. She jumped to her feet like a force of nature. "The hell you will. The guardians will accompany you to your room, demon, while I decided what to do with you." She rounded on Sophia. "Stay right where you are. We need to talk."

"I'd rather wait for Sophia," Elvis said, "if it's all the same to you."

Aurora appeared scandalised that he dared challenge her orders.

"It's all right, sweetheart, go," Sophia said, touching his chest. "I'll be fine. And so will you. I'll join you upstairs."

He hesitated, but she nodded encouragingly. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "If you're sure, just yell if you need me."

As he strode out of the office, fury flashed like fire in Aurora's eyes. This woman was after blood.

His blood.

Another great move. Kissing Sophia probably hadn't been the best idea. He sighed. What the Hell. The look on her sister face alone had been worth it.

And damn. If he was going down anyway, he might as well go down in flames.

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