She’d ran. As soon as her lips touched his, she’d recoiled and sped out of the tent before he could understand what happened between them.

Mac stared straight ahead. Then he slowly stood up and walked out of the tent. He didn’t look around for her. Instead, he went to find his brothers. He needed to see them now. There was no more time.

* * *

“You can’t do that,” said Lyson.

“I suppose you agree,” said Mac turning to his other brother. He folded his arms across his chest. He should care more for their opinion on this, but he didn’t. He’d already made up his mind. Talking to them was merely so they wouldn’t accuse him, again, of making decisions without him. Even though that is exactly what they both had been doing over and over again. No more.

Ash paced up and down the small area they’d met in. It was far enough away from the others that they couldn’t hear what was being said, but close enough that if any trouble brewed they could get back fast. He breathed in deeply. From the look of him, the after effects of returning to human form hadn’t impacted him greatly. Mac had to admit that Caran knew what she was doing.

“Perhaps you should speak with her.”

“What?” Lyson whipped his head to stare at Ash. “It’s suicide.”

“I don’t think so,” said Ash.

Mac nodded, walked over and patted Ash on the back. “I need your support. Thank you.”

“But—“ he added.

“Ahuh.” Mac waited for it. He knew there was something else. There was always something else.

“You can’t walk in there without some protection.”

“If I go see her, then I have to do it alone.”

“What if we stay nearby? And you’ll have to wear a vest. At least do that.”

Mac breathed deeply as he considered Ash’s request. He would expect nothing less if he’d sent one of his brothers in. “Lyson went in without a vest.”

“I had Elle. I knew what I was doing.”

“And I don’t?”

Lyson looked across at Ash then back at him. “You’ve been . . . Distracted lately.”

“That’s rubbish and you know it.”

“Look.” Lyson walked toward Mac and placed his hand on his shoulder. “We get it. But that doesn’t mean you need to be reckless about this.”

“Fly in,” said Ash. “That’ll give you some protection.”

Mac shook his head. “If I go to her dragoned up, then she’ll take it as hostile. No. I need to go as I am.”

“Okay.” Ash stopped pacing and stared over Mac’s head back toward the camp. “As long as you wear a vest I’m okay with it. Lyson?”

“I don’t like it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I have to try and talk sense to her. Especially now. She’s not going to kill me. I don't think. It makes no sense to do that.” He didn’t quite believe those words, but he had to have faith that it was true.

“Which is all the more reason why you need to be careful. She doesn’t make sense. That’s her whole schtick.”

“Fine, I’ll wear a vest.” He sighed. “Ash, get that organized. Lyson, find out where she is. Use the drones so I’m not going in blind.”

“Will do.” Lyson pulled out his phone and scanned for a program. “When are you going?”

“I don’t know. It’ll have to be soon. If we can pinpoint her location, I’ll go tonight.”

“And you’re not going to tell Juliana?”

At the mention of Juliana’s name, Mac stiffened. “Why would I tell her? She doesn’t need to know.”

Ash raised a brow. “Okay. As long as you know what you’re doing.”

“I have to do this alone,” Mac repeated. “You know that.”

His brothers nodded. He could tell they weren’t happy with his decision, but they agreed. That was all he could ask for.

* * *

“Your shoulder’s been re-bandaged.” Mac glanced at Juliana as he entered the tent. She’d pulled the curtain between the two beds across again. “Is everything okay?” He sat down on his bed so he couldn’t see her.

Juliana’s breathing was deep and labored. Was she in pain? “I seem to have got it infected." She shrugged. "Caran wasn’t pleased.”

He pulled the curtain away so he could examine her. “How? It was looking much better. How’d it happen?”

“Forgetting to redress it last night. Jumping into a lake before it had a chance to close over. You know, stupid stuff like that.” She smiled half-heartedly. “I’ve been doing a lot of stupid stuff lately.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I get it. I’ve organized it so you can have your own tent.”

There was a flicker in her eyes. She wanted privacy, but there was something more. “Thanks,” was all she said.

He reefed the curtain back across and started to walk out.

“No, Mac, wait.”

He turned gruffly. “What?”

“We need to talk about before.”

“About when you bolted after we kissed. Look it’s fine, it was a surprise to both of us. It’s no big deal.”

Hurt flashed in her eyes. “Not a big deal?” She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I wanted to kiss you. But . . .”

“But what?”

“But it’s impossible, isn’t it? You and me. You’re my leader, I can’t be attracted to you, it’s not right.”

She was having the same doubts as he was. Maybe he should go easier on her. “I’m not going to pretend that there’s nothing between us. There clearly is, but I agree, it’s not a good time to be starting something.”

Her breathing was still heavy. “I didn’t run because of that. I ran because . . .” She gulped. “I can’t tell you the reason, but it wasn’t because of you or how I feel. I’m not well.”

She slumped down onto the bed, letting her face fall into her hands.

Mac went to her. Her skin was warm, she was burning up. “You’ve got a fever.” He turned abruptly. “I’ll get Caran.”

“No.” She reached out her hand to him. Her touch was much hotter than he expected it to be. “I’m okay. It’s not like that. It’s me. Just . . . Just I can’t tell you. But I’m fine. It’s not a fever.”

There was something wrong with her, but she wouldn’t tell him. Maybe whatever she had was more serious than he’d thought. He couldn’t lose her, not to whatever sickness she might have. “I’m still getting Caran.”

“No. Wait, Mac.”

He didn’t wait. She needed medical attention now, whether she wanted it or not. She was too stubborn for her own good, but he wasn’t going to let her suffer like that. No one was going to be hurt while he was still in charge. Especially not her.