Andie didn't sleep well that night. She couldn't get Bane's pained face out of her mind. But the problem was she had no idea how to solve the problem... Or rather, she did, but didn't see how she could, since the only solution she could see was for her to feel the same way as Bane... and so far, that wasn't the case... The next morning, she woke tired and upset. She sat up and ran a hand through her hair. Just then, her phone rang. She bit her lip. What if it was Bane? But looking at the screen, she saw it was Isabelle.

“Hey, Isabelle.” she said, trying to sound cheerful.

“Hey, Andie. Bane was saying since it's Sunday, we could do a group training session. You in?”

Andie hesitated. Part of her felt she should train, but the part that was wrestling the “Bane” problem was also fighting that part.

“Uh...”

“I can cover for you, if you want.”

Andie bit her lip. She couldn't do that, it would only hurt Bane's feelings. And it would only delay the problem, not solve it.

“No, it's okay, thanks. I'll be there. Where and when is it?”

“In an hour at Chambers Lake Park."

“Okay, see you there.”

“Later, Andie.”

She put her phone down and got to her feet. Looking at reflection, she sighed. Then, she said:

“I can do this.”

The grey sky cast its muted light on the clearing when Andie walked into it, heading towards Jessica, Bane, Isabelle and Emily. She also saw the former masters too, in their tangible forms. It was easy to figure out why. They would need sparring partners. Bane was talking to Isabelle. He seemed relaxed. Andie took a deep breath as she stepped closer.

“Hey!” Emily called, smiling as she saw Andie. “You made it!”

“Hi,” Andie said, glancing around. “Aren't we going to stand out a little, here? Draw attention?”

“No, I drew a light circle,” Bane said. “It won't keep Zorak out if he turns up, but his demons won't get through.”

“Now everyone's here, we can start,” Balon said.

And so, they all paired up and began practicing basic movements much like those Bane had shown Andie the day before. Ardente was a very patient and supportive tutor. In fact, Andie noticed, Bane was the only one whose mentor was not like that. Balon was fair, but he was so much more... distant than the others. She wondered if it was to not let his feelings influence his decisions.

“Andie!”

“Oh... sorry...”

“You need to concentrate,” Ardente said patiently. “Focus is crucial in a fight.”

“I know, I'm sorry... I...”

Her eyes flashed briefly to Bane, who had his back to her.

“... Is something the matter between you?”

“Yes... no... I don't know. I mean, we haven't fought or anything but...”

“But he doesn't share your feelings?” Ardente guessed.

“No... that's not it.”

She looked guiltily at Bane.

“... The problem is I don't share his feelings... and it really isn't fair.”

They trained for most of the afternoon. Near five, Emily said she had homework to finish and should get home. Isabelle and Andie were the only ones who had already finished, so they all agreed to call it a day.

“Not a bad start. We'll pick from here tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Jessica repeated. “You don't want to drag us out here every day, do you?”

“Of course.” Bane said. “Time is of the essence. And it will take much intensive practice to get you anywhere near able to defend yourselves.”

“I've been doing it for years and I'm still learning,” Bane added.

“Well that's all very good,” Jessica said, “but some of us actually have families to go back to.”

“Jessica!” Andie chided, shocked.

There was a stunned silence. Fortunately, Jessica immediately saw her mistake and her eyes widened in horror and guilt.

“Oh...! Bane, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way...!” she stammered.

“It's alright,” Bane said, shaking his head.

“I'm really sorry...” Jessica insisted.

“Don't worry about it,” Bane replied. “Anyway, I had better go. I'll see you guys at school.”

“Bye,” Jessica said as he walked away.

Andie watched him, thinking he was most likely more upset that he let on.

“You really need to think before you speak, sometimes, Jess.” Emily said when they walked to their cars.

“I know...” Jessica said. “Andie, would you talk to him?"

“What? No! You talk to him, don't drag me into this!” Andie protested.

“You understand him best,” Jessica insisted.

Andie blinked in confusion.

“What? What do you you mean?”

“Well, you always seem to know when to speak to help him out, and he does for you... you read him better than us...”

Andie stared at her friends, confused.

“... Well, you guys do have a sort of connection we don't,” Emily agreed carefully.

Andie sighed.

“I thought you liked him?” Jessica asked.

“I do. But...”

She made sure Bane had gone before continuing.

“It's complicated.”

“When isn't it?” Jessica said. “Well, see you at school.”

“Yeah, by, Jess. See you, Em,” Isabelle said.

Andie had offered to drop Isabelle off, this time. The girls made their way to Andie's car in silence.

“Andie?” Isabelle asked as they climbed in.

“Yes?” Andie said, clicking her safety belt into place.

“... Is there something we should know about Bane?”

“Like what?” Andie asked, the car purring to life.

“... Can we trust him, for instance?” Isabelle said.

“Yes. I'm positive we can. He saved my life. And he's never shown any sign of wanting to harm us. I know, most of the worst ennemies don't but... I know. I'm not sure how, but I do.”

“Okay.” Isabelle said. “If you trust him, I do. But then... what's the problem?”

Andie sighed. It was about as unpleasant to explain as it was to feel.

“... I meant what I said. I do like Bane. A lot... it's just... not the right kind of like.”

“... Oh...” Isabelle said in understanding. “That explains it.”

Andie glanced briefly at her in confusion.

“What?”

“Well, you've been awkward around each other for a few days now. We weren't sure if you'd had a fight or something.”

“... I would almost prefer if we had...” Andie sighed heavily. “He saved my life. He...he's been probably watching over me, over us, for a long time.”

“... But he doesn't feel the same way you?” Isabelle guessed.

“No... that would almost be acceptable. I'd be the one hurting. Not him. I mean, he's a good guy, funny, friendly... why can't I feel the way he does about me? It's like I want to but something's wrong in my brain or something...”

“Andie, you haven't known him as long as he's known you, if your theory's true. Which would make sense since he is the one who told us who we were,” Isabelle reasoned. “So... you may want to trust him, but I think you're just protecting yourself in your own way. Just give it a little time."

“... Yeah... maybe you're right.”

The next few days were far from fun. Not only was it getting colder, but more painful too. After waking up with more aches than she thought humanly possible, Andie had to do it again every day. They usually started with warm-up laps, then practiced movements, and finally, worked at controlling their powers. Now, this, Andie had to admit, was exilharating. She hadn't been able to do much with her abilities, yet, but every time she tried, she felt the burning energy rise inside of her, just waiting to come out. She had managed to make her hands glow, that was a start, wasn't it? She did her best to go about her life as usual, at least in front of her parents and sister. That Thursday afternoon, there was a teacher's council so classes were canceled. Bane had suggested to use the extra time to practice. Andie suspected Balon had strongly insisted too, but didn't say so. At least she had the perfect excuse thanks to Isabelle. She had told her parents they were all working on a group project for the end of the year and had wanted to get started as soon as possible to get it all done in time. Andie and the others had immediately used the excuse to cover their own extracurricular activities. Her father had bought it easily. He trusted her. Her mother, on the other hand, was more suspicious.

“What's the project about?” she'd asked casually.

Andie, knowing her mother probably as well as Lauren knew her, had expected that.

“The town's history,” Andie said, careful not to hesitate. “It's one hundred and fifty years old, so there's plenty of material.”

“I see. Well, good luck with that, then.”

“Thanks! I have to go, see you tonight!”

Something was strange, however. The circles protected them while they trained, but what about their houses? When they went home or to school? And yet, not a single demon sighting. When Andie voiced her concerns that evening, Balon said:

“If I know Zorak, it's not a bad thing, but it's not a good one, either."

“... Meaning...?” Andie asked.

“Meaning that he's most likely biding his time. Letting you master your powers better, letting you think you have a chance...”

“...Only to destroy us better....” Andie finished.

Balon nodded.

Andie almost wasn't sure how she managed to get home, she was so exhausted. Eventually, however, she got there. Hank was just getting dinner from the kichen.

“Ah, just in time, honey!” he smiled as he saw her. “Hungry?”

“Starving,” Andie said, smiling back. “I'll just go wash up.”

She had soon done that, and joined the others at the table as Hank passed the food around.

“How is your project coming along?” Lauren asked.

She was trying to sound casual, but Andie knew she was grilling her.

“Well, it's still just the beginning, so we're making slow progress. But I'm sure we'll get there.”

That wasn't a lie. They were making slow progress in their training. Her mother just didn't know exactly what her project really was. And that was most likely a good thing.

“Can I take a look?” Lauren asked.

Andie blanched slightly. Dang it, how had she not seen that coming?

“Uh... Jessica wanted my notes,” she lied quickly. “I'll... I'll ask her for them tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, then,” Lauren nodded.

Andie heaved a quiet sigh of relief and of frustration. This meant she would have to write something up about the town's history. As if she didn't already have enough on her plate... She finished her dinner as quickly as politeness would allow before excusing herself. At least in her room she could be herself without feeling like a criminal on trial.

Closing the door, Andie flicked the light on and flopped down onto her back, staring at the fluorescent stars on her ceiling, her hair fanned out onto her pillow.

“Is your mother always so...”

Ardente seemed to search for the right word.

“Intrusive?” Andie suggested, not looking at her.

“I was going to say inquisitive,” Ardente amended, sitting on the edge of Andie's bed. “But I suppose I understand why you would see it as an intrusion.”

Andie sighed. Maybe intrusive was a little strong.

“... She's a great mom, really. She just... tends to forget I'm not one of her clients or the opposing council.”

There was a pause.

“She never seems to make that confusion with your sister,” Ardente noted cautiously.

Andie ran a hand through her hair. Had it always been that tangled?

“I know... I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm the oldest, and she wants to be sure I'm trustworthy, or something...”

Ardente looked thoughtfully out the window.

“... It can't be amusing, but one could say it's because she cares about you.”

“Of course she does, I never doubted that,” Andie said, sitting up.”But my dad cares about me, and he's not like that. Because he trusts me.”

“Maybe because he knows your mother's watching over you.”

Andie paused. She had to admit she hadn't looked at it like that.

“What were your parents like?” she asked Ardente.

Pain and sorrow flashed through her face, and Andie immediately regretted bringing the subject up in the first place.

“I'm sorry... I'm being nosy...”

“No, it's fine.” Ardente assured her. “It's only natural to be curious.”

She turned to look at Andie.

“They were good people,” Ardente said. “When I told them of my feelings for Balon, they supported me, when many didn't.”

Andie frowned.

“Why?”

“Because many didn't like Balon's way of thinking. He has a good heart. But he can sometimes be a little... narrow-minded with things he doesn't approve of.”

Andie breathed heavily. That sounded like her mother.

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

Ah, the complexity of relationships... don't you agree?

Which former or new master do you feel you can relate to most? Let us know in the comments!

What will happen next? Will Andie and Bane manage to stay friends despite their different feelings? Let's find out in the next chapter!