It was the first time I had ever told someone about who my family were but for some reason I thought I could trust Tess. She seemed so kind and gentle that I couldn't help but like her. We rode back to the base and trotted down the ramp. I helped her down from the horse. "Would you like to go to dinner?" I asked her but then winced at my words. That sounded like I was asking her out for a date. Luckily Tess didn't see I that way. "Yes, I would love to. I'm starving."

I lead out of the stables and back up to my mother's office. When we arrived, she and Nick were sitting at the table having dinner. "Ah, Caleb, Tess. How was your ride?" Mother asked.

"Yes it was lovely. The valley was beautiful today but it was nothing compared to what Tess showed me," I said. "Her powers are incredible."

"That is wonderful to hear. Nick tells me that you aren't that confident with your powers, Tess. It is good to hear that you showed Caleb," mother said. Tess smiled timidly and nodded. "Please join us for dinner." We sat down and grabbed a plate from the centre. "

"The kitchens have cooked up a real feast today," I exclaimed looking across the table which was full of vibrant foods and drinks. I glanced over at Tess, her eyes were wide with astonishment. "What have they been feeding you in the government's base then? I doubt it was very tasty," I whispered to her. "Go on, tuck in."

We ate with light chatter around the table. I don't think Tess wanted to speak much and I didn't blame her. One the food was pretty delicious but more importantly, the pain of losing her brother was fresh again.

"So," Nick said when we all had finished. "I think the Commander has something to say." He said it angrily and looked like he was about to explode. Mother glared at him as she stood. Uh oh, I silently thought.

"I have come to a decision after much discussion with Nick here. Considering how much difficulty you had escaping the government, and from what Nick tells me it is heavily guarded, I think that we cannot risk anymore lives to save Edward, Tess. I am sorry," she said. Tess stared at her in disbelief and Nick was fuming.

"Umm...Mother. Are you sure? If it wasn't for Edward we wouldn't even have Tess here. I've seen Tess's powers for myself and if Edward's is anything like hers then I think we have to rescue him," I said slowly.

"No Caleb, we cannot risk lives for only one, no matter how powerful they are," mother said.

"But he's Tess's brother. We don't know what they could be doing to him. You and I know better than anyone what he is the cruelest person on earth. He will be torturing him and you know it," I persisted.

"Caleb I have said no," mother said sternly.

"But-"

"STOP IT!" Screamed Tess. She was on her feet, hands blazing with fire.

"Tess, you need to calm down," I said soothingly but she didn't listen to me. She kicked up her chair and was shooting fire everywhere. "Tess, stop!" Nick shouted. He tried to restrain her but she shook him of easily. She destroyed almost everything before she ran off out of the door. "Tess!" I shouted as I headed after her.

"Caleb, no!" My mother warned me. She and Nick were using the fire extinguishers to quench Tess's flames.

"This is your fault! She has been through enough already and now you are refusing to save the only family she has left. If you really cared you would help her," I cried to her.

"We cannot risk the lives of everyone here just to save one person. If Tess helps us then we can over throw the government and then save her brother," mother said. I have never seen her look so angry.

"You don't understand! By then it might be too late! She won't help us without him," I screamed at her then stormed out of the door, leaving her and Nick behind me.

***
I found her crouched down in a corner in a remote corridor. Her head was in her hands and she was shivering violenrtly. "Hey?" I said gently. When she looked up I saw her eyes were red and bloodshot and tears were streaming down her face. I sat down next go her and leaned up against the wall. She didn't speak, just sobbed into my shoulder. I let her cry. "Just let it all out, Tess," I said. "Just let it all out."

"I'm so sorry, Caleb," she choked out. "I just completely lost it. When she said she wasn't going to rescue Edward, I just imagined him lock somewhere while they tortured him. He'll be in so much pain and there is no one to rescue him from that." I fished out a tissue from my pocket and wiped the tears from her face.

"Look, I'll try and convince mother to rescue him and I have a feeling that Nick will try too. He seems rather attached to you two," I said.

"The Commander won't change her mind," she mumbled. We stayed silent for a while, Tess leaning on my shoulder. I found it amazing that she trusted me so easily. She showed me her powers, let me comfort her and take her out riding alone. Of course there were so many things she hadn't told me yet but it was a good start. "Tess?" I whispered.

"Yeah?"

"What is Edward's power If he is anything like you then he is one of the most powerful Changed."

"He has like a golden shield. He can make it any shape and nothing can get through it...even my powers."

"What, like a force field?" I asked.

"Exactly." I thought about that for a moment. We had no one like Tess and Edward in the Changed. We had people that could shape shift into animals and throw spikes out of their hands. We had people who could shrink and grow into any size they wanted and move things with their minds. We had people who could fly and could turn invisible...invisible...god, I was stupid! "Tess, I know how we can save your brother!" I cried, leaping to my feet and startling Tess.

"How?" she asked cautiously.

"I have a friend. He lives here and he can turn invisible. I'm sure he will help us," I said.

"But your mum...she said no," Tess said.

"Yeah but Nick can fly the helicopter and with my friend we would be able to get in undetected. We can do it without risking loads of people," I reasoned. "No one will know."

"I don't want to get you in trouble Caleb," Tess mumbled.

"I don't care. If it helps you and Edward I'll do it!" I exclaimed. I pulled her to her feet. "Come on, let's go find Nick and tell him the plan." I raced down the corridors but had to wait for Tess to catch up. We eventually got back to my mother's office. I peeped my head around the door to see if there was anyone in there. There wasn't but the office was in a bit of a state with burn marks everywhere and the furniture charred. "I did this?" Tess murmured.

"Come through to my room," I whispered to get her mind off of it. We crept through as quietly as we could. When we got to my room I quickly shut the door. When I turned around I saw Tess was staring at the other end of the room. "What?" I asked then I heard a noise. I whipped round and saw Nick sitting on a chair reading one of my books. "What are you doing in my room, may I ask?" I said to him, a little bit miffed.

"I was just waiting for you two to come back," Nick said putting down the book. "Are you OK Tess?"

"Yes," Tess said. "Caleb says he has a plan to help my brother." Nick raised an eyebrow.

"He does?" I told him my idea. "That could work," Nick mumbled while nodding. "Provided that we can get away without being stopped."

"It will work," I said firmly. I had never felt so sure of anything in my life.

"I think we should wait at least a week so your mother doesn't get suspicious," Nick said. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tess clench her fists.

"What if he doesn't have that long? What if something terrible happens before we get there?" she said through gritted teeth. I could see she was trying to keep it together.

"Why can't we go straight away?" I asked Nick, trying to give Tess a little support.

"Because we have only just escaped from the government. They will be on high alert and your mother will make sure the guards tonight are ready for us. Better that we wait and then we will have more of a chance to rescue Edward," Nick said.

"OK. I think we should go and find my friend," I grinned.

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Hey guys, I just wanted you to know that I am writing another book while working on this one. It is call 'Friendship, Love and Murder'(It was the best title I could come up with...don't judge...)I haven't published any of the parts yet as I just wanted to know what you guys think. Should I two books going or just focus on one then work on the other when I finish??? Its up to you.

Also I seem to have a lot of time on my hands at the moment that's why the updates are coming through so quickly. I'm surprising myself to be honest.

Please vote/comment and recommend to your friends. I would love to get some more readers so if you know anybody then please recommend my book. Even if you have written a book of your own please could you ask your readers to read my book. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!!!!! Always love reading your comments!!!!!

CricketCat