Eleana sat by the garden fountain, her delicate hands clutching the hem of her dress. The gentle trickle of water did little to soothe her troubled thoughts. The engagement dinner was over, but the unease Victor had left behind lingered like a shadow in her mind. She couldn't explain why, but something about him felt… off.
Leon watched from the treetops, his form hidden among the branches. His eyes never left Victor, who stood near the edge of the garden, speaking quietly to Eleana's father. Victor's charm was flawless, but Leon could see through it. His aura reeked of deception and darkness.
Victor's laughter echoed across the garden, drawing Eleana's attention. She turned her head slightly, her brows furrowed as she studied him. "Why does it feel like I've met him before?" she whispered to herself.
Leon stiffened. The thought hadn't crossed his mind, but it was possible. Perhaps Victor had crossed paths with Eleana in some way she didn't remember—or worse, he had been watching her from the shadows for longer than Leon realized.
Later that night, as the house grew silent, Leon appeared at Eleana's bedside. His glowing form softly illuminated the room, and her eyes fluttered open.
"Leon," she said quietly, sitting up. She had grown used to his visits over the years, finding comfort in his presence. "You're here."
"I never left," he said gently, his voice laced with concern. "I need to talk to you about Victor."
Her expression darkened. "What about him?"
Leon hesitated, unsure of how much he could tell her without breaking celestial rules. "I don't trust him. There's something about him that feels… dangerous."
Eleana frowned. "Dangerous? He seems kind. Charming, even. Everyone says he's perfect."
"That's what makes him dangerous," Leon said firmly. "Not everything is as it seems, Eleana."
She looked at him, her gaze searching his face. "Do you know something about him that I don't?"
"I know that he isn't who he says he is," Leon said carefully. "Promise me you'll keep your distance."
Eleana sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It's not that simple. My parents expect me to marry him. They've planned this my whole life."
Leon's jaw tightened. He wanted to tell her everything—that Victor was a fallen angel like him, that his intentions were far from noble—but the words caught in his throat. He couldn't reveal the full truth, not yet.
Before he could say more, a faint whisper carried through the air. It was soft, almost imperceptible, but Leon heard it clearly. It was Victor's voice, faint and sinister, murmuring something in a language Eleana couldn't understand.
Leon's wings flared slightly as he turned toward the sound. "Stay here," he said, his tone commanding.
He vanished from her room, following the whispers out into the night. They led him to the forest beyond the garden, where Victor stood beneath the shadow of an ancient tree. His back was turned, but his presence was unmistakable.
"Victor," Leon said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
Victor turned slowly, a sly smile curling on his lips. His eyes gleamed with a dark, otherworldly light. "Leon," he said smoothly. "It's been a long time."
Leon's fists clenched at his sides. "What are you doing here?"
Victor tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Why, I'm here for her, of course. Isn't that why you're here too?"
"She's under my protection," Leon said coldly. "Stay away from her."
Victor chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "You can't protect her forever. She's mine now, whether you like it or not."
Leon stepped forward, his wings glowing faintly in the moonlight. "Not while I'm still breathing."
Victor's smile widened. "We'll see about that."
The two fallen angels stood in tense silence, their shared history and rivalry hanging heavily in the air. Leon knew this was only the beginning. Victor wasn't going to back down, and Eleana's life was now caught in the crossfire.
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