As Juan stood among the magic trees, her wings heavy and the red mark on her wrist burning, a sudden gust of wind rushed through the enchanted forest. The energy of the place crackled, and before she could react, a blinding light enveloped her. She blinked, disoriented, and when her vision cleared, she found herself surrounded by familiar faces—angels, her kin. They had come for her.
"Juan!" one of them called, his voice laced with concern as he extended a hand toward her.
She took it without hesitation, her body still trembling from the encounter with Stephan. The magic of the forest resisted their departure, but the power of the angels was greater, and they broke through the enchanted barrier, pulling Juan to safety. She glanced back, searching for Stephan, but he was nowhere to be seen. Hidden in the shadows, no doubt, watching with that infuriating smirk.
Once they were back in heaven, the feeling of security should have washed over her, but it didn't. The red mark on her wrist was a constant reminder of what had happened—what she had touched. She clenched her hand, hiding it from view. No one could see this. No one would understand. Every now and then, a searing pain shot through her wrist, as though the mark itself was burning her from the inside.
"Are you alright, Juan?" one of the angels asked, their eyes full of concern.
"I'm fine," she lied, her voice strained. "I just need some rest."
She retreated to her chambers, her mind swirling with everything that had transpired. The illusion of the enchanted forest, Stephan's cruel laughter, the red mark that now branded her as if she belonged to him. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and confusion. She lay down, her wings folding against her back, and let herself drift into sleep, hoping for a moment of peace.
But peace never came.
In her dreams, Stephan was there, his dark wings unfurled, his presence overwhelming. He stood in the same eerie forest, surrounded by the mocking illusions of beauty. "Juan," he whispered, his voice smooth and teasing. "You can't escape me." His hand reached out, and she flinched, trying to pull away, but her body betrayed her. She was drawn toward him, unable to resist, and the red mark on her wrist burned brighter.
She jolted awake, her heart racing. The pain in her wrist had intensified, and she felt as though her entire body was on fire. "I need to see God," she whispered to herself, her heart pounding. Only He could help her. Only God could break whatever hold Stephan had on her.
The next morning, Juan made her way to the divine temple. The golden gates stood tall, shimmering in the heavenly light. She reached out, her heart heavy with desperation, but as her fingers grazed the gates, an unseen force pushed her back. She stumbled, her body wracked with pain. The closer she got to the gates, the more her wrist burned, as if the mark was resisting her attempt to seek help.
"No..." she gasped, clutching her wrist in agony. Her thoughts were muddled, her heart pounding in her chest. Instead of seeking comfort in the divine, her mind turned elsewhere—toward him. Stephan. She didn't know why, but an overwhelming urge surged through her. Her body moved on its own, guiding her away from the temple, away from the safety of heaven.
Before she knew it, she was at the edge of heaven, where the borders met the vast unknown. No angel crossed these lines. It was forbidden. But Juan felt compelled, her feet moving without thought. The air was thick with magic, and as she approached the boundary, her eyes caught sight of him—Stephan, waiting for her.
He stood at the edge, his dark wings spread wide, his eyes gleaming with that same smug expression. He looked as though he belonged to the very darkness that surrounded him, handsome in a way that was as dangerous as it was alluring. "Juan," he called, his voice softer this time, almost...gentle.
She walked toward him as if in a trance, her mind fighting against the pull but her body betraying her. She crossed the boundary line, something no angel had ever done, and in that moment, it was as if the world shifted. The air became heavier, more dangerous, but all Juan could focus on was Stephan.
He reached out, his hand catching hers and pulling her toward him. The touch sent a jolt of energy through her, but it wasn't painful this time. His fingers were warm, his grip firm but not harsh. "You came to me," he said with a smirk, though his voice held a strange softness that surprised her.
"I... I don't know why," she stammered, her heart racing as she tried to pull away, but her body wouldn't obey.
"It's alright," Stephan murmured, his voice low. "I know." He led her toward a nearby tree, its leaves a strange shade of blue that glowed under the dim light. They sat beneath its branches, and for the first time, Juan noticed how peaceful it felt.
"What's happening to me?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Stephan gazed at her, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "The mark," he said softly, reaching for her wrist. He pulled back the sleeve, revealing the bright red imprint. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his eyes meeting hers. "This wasn't supposed to happen."
Juan stared at him in shock. "You're... sorry?"
He nodded, and for the first time, there was no mockery in his gaze. "Only love can heal a mark like this," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Before she could process his words, he leaned down and pressed his lips to the mark on her wrist. The warmth of his touch spread through her, and slowly, the red mark began to fade, disappearing as though it had never been there.
Juan stared at her wrist, then back at Stephan. "You... you healed it."
"Only love can break the curse," Stephan repeated, a small smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry, I'm not here to cause you trouble. You should go back."
She didn't move, still reeling from everything that had just happened. "I don't understand," she whispered, her eyes searching his. "Why did you..."
Stephan smiled, though there was a hint of sadness behind his gaze. "Go back, Juan," he said gently. "Before it's too late."
She stood, still confused, but something in his tone told her not to question it. She nodded, her heart heavy, and turned back toward the borders of heaven. As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them—something she wasn't ready to face.
But for now, she had no choice but to return to heaven, her thoughts tangled in the mystery of Stephan and the power of the mark that only love could heal.