Andie's palms were sweaty, her heart was hammering and she was terrifyingly aware of Zorak's power and tall, imposing stature. But she kept her feelings as far from her face as possible. However, when he turned around completely to look at her, she only just managed to resist the urge to step back.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, sounding far more confident than she felt.

She had a pretty good feeling she knew. He was after her powers, and if the former masters were right, then he knew who now held them. What other explanation could there be for him being there?

"I think you know. Those fools thought they could evade me... but your power is mine..."

The tiny part of Andie that wasn't terrified noted an accent that would have been British if Andie hadn't known he wasn't human. But before she could say or do anything, a wave of black shadows that moved like water but felt like hands as they flowed around Andie, who couldn't help letting out a gasp as it lifted her effortlessly and pinned her against the wall. The shadows reached up to her face, sending shivers down Andie's body. Zorak leaned forwards.

"Hm... you are the mistress of fire..." he said disdainfully. "What Ardente saw in you to chose you, I'll never know. Although she never was good at chosing. She could have had me... and yet, she chose that idiot Balon."

Andie realised he must have been in love with Ardente too, once upon a time. And he had probably not taken her choosing Balon very well. Who would have thought a demon could actually love? Or as close as it could get to love for a demon.

"Wait," Andie said.

"Why would I wait? I could just kill you now."

"I know. And I'll let you. I just... I want to offer you a deal."

"What, the others against your life?"

"No. I won't betray them. I just want us to agree one one thing: If I let you take my powers, you'll leave my sister? You won't hurt her?"

"You would give your life to spare hers, knowing nothing will stop me from destroying her right after?"

"Yes. Because you have no reason to. She's not involved, she's done nothing to you. And if that doesn't suit you, I'll fight you."

She had a strong feeling it wouldn't be all that helpful, but she didn't say that. Zorak seemed to ponder the question.

"Ardente always was the selfless one, too... I see no reason to refuse." he said finally. "And now... to business."

Some of the shadows moved from her shoulders to her neck, cutting her airflow. She tried to stay still and not show her panic, but it was far from easy. Zorak raised a hand and reached for her forehead.

"Let her go. Now."

Andie, whose breathing was growing shallow, and Zorak turned to where the voice had come from. Bane stood there, holding a long bow which he had now aimed at Zorak.

"Let her go, or I shoot."

"You'll shoot that pathetic metal stick at me? It won't hurt me." Zorak scoffed.

"It's not an ordinary arrow, Zorak. It's infused with Guardian light. It'll pierce right through you and destroy you."

Zorak laughed.

"It didn't work last time, why would it now?" He asked.

"Simple. It has something it didn't last time."

He fired. The arrow shot through the air and lodged itself in his shoulder, causing him to roar in pain and let Andie go. She fell to the floor, spluttering.

"Andie, move!" Bane called as he got ready to fire again.

Andie looked at Zorak who was recovering. He clenched his fists which glowed with a dark energy.

Bane moved but Zorak was faster. Andie reacted on instinct.

"No!" she yelled, raising her hand.

A bright light shot out of it, hitting Zorak in the arm, causing his attack to be diverted and hit a tree. Bane hurried to her side.

"You can't win, Zorak. Get out of here before we send you back into oblivion." Bane said.

Zorak snarled.

"Your power will be mine," he growled darkly. "This is just starting."

He vanished in a swirl of black smoke. Andie watched him fade, panting, heart racing, eyes wide.

"Andie!"

Before she knew it, Bane had pulled her into his arms. She hugged him back, appreciating the comfort.

"You okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

Andie shook her head.

"Thanks for saving me. You were just in time."

"What were you thinking, consenting to letting him kill you? What would I-we become without you?"

"... I was protecting my sister," she said.

"Yeah, and what would have become of her if you'd died?"

Andie had to admit he had a point.

"... Yeah, I guess that's true..." she admitted. "Speaking of Hannah, I'd better go check on her."

She turned to walk towards the door, when she paused.

"... D'you want to come in for a while?"

They looked at each other. Bane seemed to hesitate, then said:

"... Yeah, if that's okay with you."

She didn't want to sound pathetic but she didn't think she could be alone after that. And she was hoping to get a better idea of what exactly was going on between the two of them, because it was definitely more complicated than friendship.

Andie led the way to the front door and stepped inside before stepping aside to let Bane in. The light dazzled them a few seconds after the pitch black outside.

"Hannah?"

"I'm here, watching them movie. Hurry up, it's almost the best part!"

Andie's apologetic smile was met by a grin from Bane, who brushed it off with a shakeof his head. They left the entrance hall and joined Hannah in the bright, inviting living room. Hannah glanced up as they entered. Naturally, Bane was the focus of her attention.

"Hey, Bane, what are you doing here?"

Andie and Bane eyes expressed the same discomfort.

"I thought I heard a noise outside, and thought it was best to take a look," Andie finally lied. "That's when I ran into Bane."

"And she kindly invited me in," Bane finished, playing along and sounding far more natural than Andie.

He had obviously had more practice than her, Andie thought. Which made sense, after all, had he not been hiding his powers for years?

"Uh... I hope you like pizza?" Andie asked, smiling a little too widely.

"Yeah. If Hannah's left any, I saw her appetite at your birthday party!" Bane laughed.

Andie's laugh filled the room before she realized it, her nerves sliding off her chest slightly.

"Have a seat, I'll go get you a plate." she told Bane.

She turned and left the room, the sound of the television and Hannah's laughter echoing in her ears.

The gentle kitchen light and pale blue walls usually had a soothing effect on Andie, reminding her of the many afternoons her mother and she had spent cooking together. Not this time. There was no sound but Andie's slow, shaky breaths. Her palms stuck to the linoleum counter. She had almost died. And now that she grasped that fact, she realized how foolish it had been when she'd decided to let Zorak kill her. Her friends needed her, so did her sister... but she was not ready for this. She wasn't a fighter, just a normal, awkward teenage girl. Closing her eyes helped her gather her thoughts.

I mustn't panic. I can't show I'm scared. Hannah wouldn't understand and she'd be scared, too.

Finally, a calming wamrth filled her. A hand Andie knew to be Ardente's rested gently on her shoulder.

I know... I'm really sorry about this... I wish there was another way.

Andie nodded.

I know.

Bane and Hannah would be waiting. Andie splashed some water on her face and took a few more deep breaths. Then she pulled a plate and a glass from the cupboard, put a smile on her face, and went back to the living room.

Hannah was a good girl, but she was among the most talktative ten year olds Andie and Bane had ever encountered. She went aboutd detailing everything they saw on the screen. Andie was sure anyone would have gotten annoyed after a while, but he patiently answered her every comment. When she finally took a break to munch on her pizza, Andie glanced apologetically at Bane.

"Sorry," she mouthed.

He smiled and shook his head.

It's fine. She's funny.

Andie would have answered something like "if you mean funny as in crazy, absolutely!" when she realized something odd about what Bane had just said. His lips hadn't moved. She frowned, pointed to Bane then to her temple, glancing at him questioningly. He nodded.

We can hear each others' thoughts. Bane explained. But only what the other person choses to let us hear, don't worry.

You can do it, too, try it.

Feeling slightly stupid, she thought:

Can you hear me?

Bane smiled.

Loud and clear.

This is really weird.... Andie thought.

I know, but it's kind of cool, too isn't it? He grinned.

Andie nodded.

I suppose you'll want to talk about tonight... Bane thought quietly.

Oh, that Andie did. But also wanted to be sure Hannah didn't notice anything. She would almost certainly tell her parents even if Andie asked her not to. She was too talkative and couldn't keep a secret.

Yes. But not now.

She nodded slightly towards Hannah who was still wrapped up in the movie. He seemed to understand what she meant because he nodded. So they watched the rest of the movie. But thankfully, by the time it ended, it was Hannah's bedtime, and she was already getting sleepy.

"C'mon, Hannah, let's get you to bed." Andie said, switching the television off.

"I'm not tired," Hannah protested, yawning hugely.

Andie chuckled.

"Yeah, sure you're not." she said. "I'll be right back, Bane."

"Sure, take your time." Bane said.

Andie gently tugged Hannah out of the room.

After getting Hannah to brush her teeth and put on her pajamas, Andie went with her to tuck her in. Hannah's room was always a cheerful, peaceful place. The white and pale pink of the walls left no doubt as to who slept in the room. Nor did the huge Disney poster on the wall. Andie smiled at the small music box on the dresser which was one she'd had when she was small.

"Okay, off to bed with you," Andie smiled, gently shooing Hannah towards her bed.

Hannah yawned and lay down obediently. Andie leaned forwards and tucked her in before straightening up.

"Andie...?"

"Yeah?"

"... Is Bane your prince charming?"

Andie stared, taken aback.

"... Why would you think that?"

"You look like Ella and Char from the movie."

"Uh... sweetie, life isn't like in Ella Enchanted. It's a lot more complicated."

"Why?"

"I really don't know," Andie said with a tired smile. "But I am positive about one thing. Do you know what that is?"

Hannah shook her head.

"I'm positive that I will always keep you safe. Whatever happens. Okay?"

"I know you will. I'm never scared with you."

Andie wasn't sure how to react. Hannah had never put it like that.

"And I'll make sure you never are," she said.

She got to her feet and was about to leave when Hannah called her name again.

"What is it?"

"... Would you sing me a song? Please?"

Hannah often asked that when they were alone at home. Even when they weren't, in fact, now Andie thought about it.

"Alright."

She sat on the edge of her bed. The gentle melody filled the room. Hannah instantly relaxed, though she hadn't been nervous to begin with. Andie's voice rose lighter than a feather. Unbeknownst to her, Bane also heard her voice, and stared out the dark window, the little boy he'd once been flashing in his mind's eye. He heard the sound of laughter. He knew that laugh. It was his mother's. He'd always worried he'd forget it, but somehow Andie's song had brought it back... Even Ardente and Balon were silent, listening and thinking that their successors really didn't deserve the life they were to have from now on.

By the time Andie finished her song, Hannah had already fallen asleep. Andie watched her sister for a moment, unable to even fathom her getting hurt. Heaving a quiet sigh, she got to her feet slowly to not jostle the bed, and crept out of the room.

"Is Hannah okay?" Bane asked as she joined him on the couch.

"Yeah. She's fast asleep. Not even a stampede of elephants would wake her now..."

Bane chuckled.

"You have a great voice, by the way."

"Thanks."

Andie sighed and leaned back into the couch, her eyes closed. Bane then noticed that even if she hadn't spent years training, she had had her share of burdens, too. He only then noticed how tired she looked.

"Are you okay?"

"... Honestly? I don't know, anymore... I've had to lie to people I love... I've never had to do that before... I mean, I know it's what I must do, to protect them... but... I'll be okay."

There was a silence.

"... Thank you, Bane."

He blinked.

"For what?" he asked.

"You saved my life. Again. So, thank you."

"You saved mine," he reminded. "If you hadn't used your power when you did, I could have been killed."

Andie wasn't sure she'd done much, even if she appreciated Bane saying that.

"Andie, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"... I was just wondering... why are you so scared of your sister getting hurt?" he asked. "I mean, I understand that you love her, and any good sibling would be protective of their brother or sister but... it feels like you'd die if it happened to your sister... and I just wondered why..."

Andie didn't answer at once. She wasn't sure how he'd read her so easily. Although, when she thought about it, he had known her far longer than she had known him.

"... I wasn't always so overprotective..." Andie said slowly. "... I suppose it happened about three years ago. My mom, Hannah and I had gone out to see a movie. My dad had been called on a case in another state, I can't remember which one. But... Hannah was going on about how much she'd loved the movie. I had too, but it had eventually gotten a bit annoying, so I was trying to tell her nicely to stop, that we had understood that she'd enjoyed the movie... and then - I can't remember how it happened, exactly -, she got mad. So I got mad, and my mom tried to intervene..."

Andie paused, her throat tight, her eyes stinging.

"... She took her eyes off the road for only a second... but some drunk driver swerved into our lane and hit us. It was pretty much a miracle we didn't all die, that night..."

Bane was silent. After a few failed attempts, Andie went on.

"My mom and I were okay... I got a sprain and she had to wear a neck brace for a few weeks... but Hannah... Hannah got the worst of it. Thankfully, she was on the other side so she didn't actually get hit by the car, but she was in the intensive care unit for almost two weeks. And... although neither she nor my mom ever blamed me... I couldn't help but feel responsible."

"How would you have been responsible? You didn't cause the accident, Andie!"

"No... but if I hadn't argued with Hannah because of that stupid movie, my mother wouldn't have need to look away and she would have been able to see the other car coming..."

"Andie, look at me." Bane said, touching her shoulder. "That car would have swerved even if your mother hadn't looked away. And even if she had seen it, it would have been too late to avoid it. The accident is not your fault."

"..."

"Your sister made it, right? And that alone is something to celebrate!" Bane said.

Andie suddenly felt awful.

"... I'm sorry... I can't believe I didn't even think about your mother..." she said.

"... It's alright." Bane said.

There was another silence.

"... And as for saving you... I couldn't have done anything else."

Andie bit her lip uncomfortably.

"... Bane, I..."

"No, it's fine. You don't have to answer. Just seeing you safe is enough."

They looked at each other a moment. Then, Andie leaned against his shoulder. His arm wrapped around her shoulders. They sat there in silence a while, sitting close to each other, but their minds drifting off far away.

The sun slid shyly into the room, brushing the sleeping face. With a grimace, the owner of the face turned away, her hand moving to slide up next to her head. She barely remembered Bane leaving and her falling into bed. The peaceful silence was all that could be heard, along with a slow, gentle breathing. Just then, a phone lit up and began playing a song. Opening her eyes, Andie tiredly reached for it and turned it off before yawning and stretching. Her body ached as though she'd been working out. Clearly, using her powers had more of a physical toll than she'd expected. She'd have to remember that. Running a hand through her hair, she was about to get up when she froze. Where her hand should have met thin air in the back of her neck, it met... more hair. Andie looked, and saw to her astonishment and horror, her hair was no longer as short as it usually was. It was the same color, but it now fell down to her shoulder blades in long blond waves. She bolted out of bed and towards her mirror.

"Oh, my god..." she gasped.

Her hair had indeed grown longer. Overnight. She tried tugging at it to be sure she wasn't still asleep.

"Ow!" she exclaimed when she did. "No, it's real..."

Andie couldn't take her eyes off her reflection.

"Ardente!" She called quietly.

"I'm here."

She turned to look at her.

"What is this?" she asked, pointing to her head. "How did my hair grow overnight?"

Ardente blinked.

"I... I can't say that I know... did you want long hair?"

"... Well... I was getting tired of it being so short," she admitted, "but this?!"

"I suppose your power sensed your wish and... granted it..." Ardente said, looking at her.

"Well, that's great, but how am I supposed to explain this to my parents?"

They would be home now, Andie remembered them telling her they'd be home around midnight.

"Andie? Are you up?" came Lauren's voice.

Andie let out a panicked gasp and froze.

**************************************

Oh, great... I think Andie would rather face Zorak again, right now! Let"s show her we're here for her with the stars!

Do you prefer to have long or short hair? Why? Let us know in the comments below!

What will Andie's mother say about her hair? What will Andie do? Let's find out in the next part!

As always, thank you so much for reading, voting and commenting! You're all amazing!