CHAPTER 28

Demon was feeling guilty. First, Miranda had not forgiven him for betraying her. And second, he had not wanted Andrea to be The Lady and because of that she had injured herself trying to escape them. Trying to escape him.

He was the Lady's protector and he failed. He would not fail again.

Demon went to the bedroom where Andrea was staying but she was not there. He started to worry, ‘Where is she? What happened to her? Where is Beast? I knew I couldn't trust him to watch her.’

Demon turned and ran down the stairs, "Andrea, where are you? Andrea!"

In his haste to get downstairs Demon almost ran over Celestial.

"What is wrong with you? What are you running around for?"

"Andrea where is she? I need to find her." Demon sounded desperate.

"She is in the garden with Beast. You do not have to get so upset Demon."

Demon went running out to the garden where he found Andrea and Beast sitting on the bench.

"Demon did you come out to join us? It is such a beautiful day we thought we would just sit here and enjoy the sun." Beast said as he sat lounging on the bench with his eyes closed.

Andrea did not say anything; she still was not quite sure about Demon. There was something about him, she felt herself attracted to him but afraid of him.

"Demon, why don't you and Beast go inside and let me spend some time with Andrea alone." it was Starchild. They had not heard him enter the garden.

Demon looked from Starchild to Andrea, he did not want to go, he did not want to leave Andrea's side. He had just arrived at the garden. He wanted to talk to Andrea, to explain.

Sensing his hesitation, Beast grabbed Demons arm.

"Come on Demon, I can tell when we aren't wanted."

Beast and Demon left the garden together, Beast pulling Demon all the way out as Demon kept looking over his shoulder.

Celestial met Demon and Beast in the great hall. "Did you have to drag him away?" Laughed Celestial.

"Yes. For someone who did not want a new Lady he sure does not like to leave her side."

"Leave me alone." Grumbled Demon looking out the window, trying to see into the garden.

“Starchild has an idea to help Andrea but it requires all of us. We are supposed to wait until he calls." Celestial informed them.

"What is Starchild up to?" Demon demanded.

Starchild sat down on the bench next to Andrea. He did not know exactly how to start. Andrea sensed his hesitation.

"You have a lovely garden. It has so many beautiful roses."

Starchild smiled as he looked over his rose garden. Yes there are many lovely roses here. There is one here for you."

Andrea looked shocked, "For me? Why would you have a rose for me?"

Starchild grinned. He looked over at a rosebush. "We were aware of you the day you were born. We believe you are destined to be The Lady of the Manor. I started growing a rose just for you, I call it The Lady's Rose. It is the most beautiful lavender color I could find and the sweetest fragrance of all of the roses in my garden. And it is only for you."

Andrea was surprised and intrigued. No one had ever grown a flower for her. And how did he know her favorite color was lavender?

"Are you feeling better now that you have had your rest?" Starchild started again.

Andrea looked our over the garden. "I feel rested but I just do not seem to have any energy."

"Sit back and close your eyes." Starchild instructed as he gently pushed he shoulders back.

"Why?" Andrea became panicked. ‘What is he going to do to me now?’

"Just sit back and close your eyes." Starchild instructed again.

Andrea begrudgingly did as she was told, but she did not trust this Starchild.

Starchild called for the other Masters.

She closed her eyes as she felt Starchild place his hand on top of her left hand. Then she felt a hand on her right hand. Hands were on each of her shoulders. There was a warmth radiating from all of these hands and it filled her with energy.

She quickly opened her eyes, "What did you do?"

"You have all of our powers so we just gave you our energy to replace what was taken from you. It is our fault that you were drained of your energy and we felt that we needed to give it back to you." Starchild told her gently.

Andrea looked down at her wrist and her hand was completely healed. She felt stronger than she had felt in a long time. She looked up and there was Celestial, Beast, and Demon all looking at her.

"How do you know that I have your powers?"

They all just smiled.

"We are the Masters, we know everything." Celestial cackled.

“Oh no, here he starts with that knowing everything again." Laughed Beast.

CHAPTER 29

"Andy….Andy"

"Yes, Dot"

"Are you better now?"

"Yes Dot, I am much better now."

"I miss you Andy"

"I miss you Dot"

"Can I come and see you?"

"I do not think that would be a good idea right now Dot, but soon, I promise"

"Oh. I wanted to come now. It's lonely here"

"Are Kevin and Philip taking care of you?"

"It’s just not the same without you Andy."

"Dot, just give them some time"

"Okay. I got to go now Andy, Kevin is calling me"

"Bye Dot, have fun"

"Bye Andy, I love you."

"I love you Dot"

*****

You were talking to Dot weren't you." Celestial asked.

"Yes, but how did you know? And do not tell me you know everything." They all laughed again.

"You get a look in your eyes when you talk to him" Beast interjected. "We can tell that you really love him."

"Yes, I do."

CHAPTER 30

Starchild could see that Andrea was indeed feeling better and her mood seemed to improve as she regained her energy. Maybe now was the time to begin.

"Andrea, I told you that we knew the day you were born.” Starchild continued, "We should have taken you when you were a baby. As soon as we found out you were born we should have brought you here to grown up with us and it would not seem so foreign to you, but Demon…."

"Yes, Demon," said Beast, "we have been fighting with him for over 500 years."

"500 years? How old are you?"

Celestial snickered, "Older than we look"

“But since that did not happen we need to start from the beginning."

Andrea was becoming alarmed, "What do you mean, start from the beginning?"

"You do not know us or anything about us, what I am suggesting is that you spend time with us and get to know us as you should have."

"Maybe that would be a good idea."

Celestial asked, "But who goes first?"

Demon started to say something but sensing this Andrea quickly said, "Beast. I would like to get to know Beast first."

Seeing Demon's displeasure, Starchild said, "If you want to start with Beast then that is where we start. Tomorrow you will spend the whole day with Beast.”