Juliana stormed down the stairs. She almost knocked John to the side as she rushed past him, bursting through the doors. He stood as the guard to the brother's rooms, separating them from the rest of the people at Dragonspark.

John was armed. That was new. They never had anyone here since Lyson set up the new security system. Juliana figured that they weren't taking any chances with Tessa nearby.

“Where’s the fire?” yelled John after her.

“Sorry!” She waved to him as she took the rest of the stairs, two at a time. She knew she shouldn’t run like this. Everyone was already jumpy, all it took was for one wrong word or action and the whole place would become trigger happy.

She skidded as she took the corner at the fourth floor junction and then slowed her movements to a steady walk. Sweat beaded on her hands and forehead and she drew in a long slow suck of oxygen into her lungs.

She had been fine all morning. Dammit. Now here she was having a mini-freak out. Seeing Mac after he’d walked out of the shower, his body still glistening from being wet, his hair sticking up at the side, damp and tussled. He made no attempt to hide from her. It had made her unstuck again and she could feel the heat rising.

It took every ounce of willpower to keep it together and not give away that anything more would have melted them both. And while she couldn’t be harmed, Mac could. She cursed to herself as she reached her door, and went inside.

When she got into her room, she made sure it was locked tight before going to her bed and reaching underneath her pillow for her thermometer.

She placed the silver tip under her tongue as she paced the room. Why did she think it was a good idea to tell him to snap out of his mood? She knew it went deeper than that and whatever history that he and Tessa had was etched deep into his soul. It wasn’t something that you got over because someone told you to. She’d panicked when she felt the rush of blood to her cheeks and needed to stay something, anything, to get out of there. Even it if was the most irresponsible thing she could have said to him.

She wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d ordered her out of his room at that very moment. She was an idiot.

Juliana pulled the thermometer out of her mouth to read the result. 98.6. Huh? That was a normal temperature. She frowned at the thermometer and shook it to clear the reading. She tried again, placing it back underneath her tongue.

She sat down on her bed as she waited. It was a new thermometer, she’d had this one for three months. It had always given her a correct reading up until now. It didn’t make sense for it to start malfunctioning.

When the time was up she pulled it out and read the result again. It was the same. 98.6. She wondered if it was working correctly. She took it into her bathroom and ran the hot water for a moment before putting the end of it underneath the stream of water. The red indicator shot up immediately. She pulled it out. It was working fine, so why did show that she was at a normal temperature when she’d felt the warmth in her body when she was in Mac’s room?

She glanced up at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, but not to the point where they might be if her blood was heating inside. Perhaps she was able to control it today? Interesting.

Or maybe it was because there were no heightened emotions around to create a surge inside her and it had gone as quickly as it came on. It made sense. Mac had woken from a long sleep so he wasn't as stressed. His brothers were downstairs training and there were no changes to their situation in the last twenty four hours that she knew of. Yeah, everyone was a lot calmer today. No wonder she was able to keep herself under control.

She breathed a sigh of relief and wiped down the thermometer before returning it to its case and slipping it back underneath her pillow.

Everything was fine. Normal. Safe.

She had to get on with delivering the message to Ash, Lyson and the others that Mac was awake and he was ready for action. She’d leave out the part where she’d unwittingly pushed him into it.

* * *

There were seven of them sitting around the table inside Ash's office. Her, Mac, Lyson, Ash, Pete, John, Caran, and Elle.

Caran was Ash’s girlfriend and Elle was Lyson’s. Both of them had recently been part of Tessa’s group until they switched sides. Tessa’s group called themselves Princess which was ironic considering they were anything but. Her, Pete and John had been with Dragonspark for a few years now, the two girlfriends were new. The only reason they were here was because they knew Tessa, and were likely to have insight into her next movements. Otherwise, they’d never be allowed into a meeting this important.

Ash’s office was the same size as Mac’s but was more cluttered. One wall was lined with dark oak bookshelves. A few books scattered the shelves. They were stuffed between discarded computer parts and various other devices with wires sticking out of them.

“Why can’t we just call the authorities and have Tessa and the others arrested?” asked Elle.

Juliana narrowed her eyes at the new woman at the table. “It isn’t quite so simple,” she replied before anyone else. “Anyway, what do you think they’d charge her with? Unlawful threats against a creature that everyone already fears?”

Elle flashed a glare in her direction.

Juliana leaned back in her chair and raised a brow in Elle’s direction. She noticed that Lyson placed his hand on Elle’s shoulder. Whether it was for support or to tell her to keep herself in check, Juliana didn’t care. The woman was out of control and shouldn’t be trusted. She hadn’t earned her place here like the others. She could see why the other girlfriend, Caran, was important. Caran had never truly been part of the Princess organization and had medical skills that they needed here. She’d proved that she was trustworthy. Elle, on the other hand, was a chameleon. Changing colors when it suited.

Mac ignored the tension at the table and stood up, looking worried as he stared out the window to his left. He was lost in his thoughts again.

“What did you want to address?” asked Ash, bringing Mac’s attention back to the group. “You said you had a change of plans?”

“No more plans,” said Mac quietly. “I’m tired of trying to keep one step ahead of her.”

“You’re giving up?” asked John.

“Of course he’s not giving up,” said Juliana. She glared at him, annoyed that he’d even think that.

Mac gave her a strained smile. “Juliana is right,” he said. “We can’t give up trying to stop her, but we can’t keep clashing like this either. It’s causing too many problems. People are getting hurt.” He swept his hand in Ash’s direction.

Juliana kept her face neutral but was pleased he didn't include Elle in his assessment, even though she got beat up pretty bad by Tessa and her goons.

“Then, what? We just wait for her to come here?”

“Yes,” said Mac.

Juliana frowned. “Wait for her?” She leaned forward, surveying everyone’s faces and noting that they were as surprised at Mac’s answer as she was. “You want her to come here?”

Mac nodded. “We can’t keep hiding, it’s not working.”

“We’re protected here,” said Ash.

“How long for? She’ll find us soon enough, and then what?”

“What are you saying?” asked Lyson.

“I’m saying that we should get everyone out. I think evacuation is the best course of action at this stage.” Mac hammered his finger on the table to make his point.

“I agree,” said Juliana. Everyone turned in her direction, clearly surprised that she would agree given Mac's current state of mind. But it was a good plan. “She won’t anticipate that we’ll leave and that gives us time and control.”

“It’s too risky,” said Ash. “She’s waiting somewhere at the bottom of the road for us, I’d bet my wings on it.”

Elle spoke up. “Ambush is her style. She's likely to lie in wait and then follow us back here.”

“Then we don’t go that way,” said Mac. “You’re forgetting that we have three dragons here, able to transport everyone out of the way quickly and safely.”

“There are more than twenty people here, you can’t carry everyone,” said John. “And you’ll be stuck in dragon form for too long afterward.”

“Caran has got the serum down to a few hours,” said Ash. His fingers stroked Caran's arm as he smiled at her.

“I’ve adapted the strength of the various components,” said Caran. “I believe we’ve brought the time down to under an hour. Possibly sooner. That’s a significant improvement on the last trial.”

“So you just fly everyone out of here like some goddamn dragon bus? And where do you suggest we go?” asked John.

Juliana stood up. “We fill our packs with as much food and supplies as we can and we hike down the river toward the lake. It’ll provide a good base for us there. It’s impossible to get to unless you know where it is, and it’s close enough to here in case we need to return for any reason.” She glanced over at Mac who was watching her. She could tell he appreciated her support. It was the least she could do after this morning.

“It could work,” said Lyson. Ash and the others agreed.

“Done,” said Mac. “We’ll leave in four hours. Gather as much equipment as you deem necessary and that you can carry.”

“I’ll advise the rest of Dragonspark,” said John.

“Good.”

Juliana turned to leave, she glanced over at Mac and gave him a reassuring smile before disappearing out of the door.

* * *

Juliana tidied her bedroom before starting to pack. It just made sense to do so. Having everything in its place would make leaving easier, and coming back more welcoming.

She lifted the canvas back pack from the floor to test its weight. She could hold it with one hand, but wouldn’t want to. With basic camping equipment, a small medical pack, clothes, toiletries, and battery packs, it would take up half her height and slow her down. She placed it on her back, adjusting the straps to ensure the most comfortable fit.

After pulling on her boots she exited her room and made her way to the landing at the end of her hallway. She glanced upward toward the stairs that led to the brother’s rooms. Shrugging her pack off her back she left it where she could retrieve it later and took the stairs up.

John, nor any of the others, were on security duty now, all of them doing their own packing. She knew she’d pack first, she’d had experience in moving from one place to another quickly. Now she would help the others.

She entered the security code and pushed open the double doors. Ash and Lyson’s rooms were on either side of her, and another staircase led up to the top floor, Mac’s room.

That’s where she headed now.

Mac’s door was open, but she knocked anyway. “You here?”

There was no response so she walked in the first room. His office was in the corner, glass doors leading out to a balcony beyond. There was also a table, lounge area and various other items that were an attempt to make the place look more homely.

She frowned as she surveyed the floor scattered in clothes and other junk.

Juliana checked the bedroom and bathroom before she started to tidy. From the clothes spilling out of his dresser and the missing backpack from his closet, she knew he’d already grabbed everything he needed and had gone. Not left Dragonspark of course, he wouldn’t be the first to do that. No, he’d be the last. He’d just left his room to attend to whatever matter he considered more important. Hopefully, that meant spending time with his brothers without their girlfriends. That always cheered him up.

His bed sheets needed a good launder, but there wasn’t time for that right now. All she did was make his bed, place his clothes into the hamper that had toppled over in the corner of his bedroom and straighten up.

The bathroom wasn’t too bad, although he’d left the lid off the body wash she’d placed in here a few days ago. She straightened everything up and placed her hands on her hips as she figured out what he might have forgotten.

It took her a moment to realize that it wasn’t her job to look after him like this. She needed to back away. She wasn’t his mother and she didn’t want to be. No, the best way she could help Mac right now was to support his decision as leader of Dragonspark. Not to make sure his shoes were tied.

She stalked out of the bathroom, annoyed at herself for becoming protective of him again. She’d get both of them in trouble if she did that and that was the last thing she wanted.

Besides, it would make no difference. Mac still loved Tessa, no matter how messed up it was. And now they had a child together. It was impossible to even consider that he could have feelings for someone else.

Even if it was possible, he couldn’t move on with her. She had the potential for far more pain than Tessa could ever administer. And that was without her trying.

She left his room, took the stairs down. Mac's voice boomed from Ash’s room. He was in there with Lyson as well, and thankfully, they sounded like they were alone. Good. He needed his brothers right now.

Juliana kept walking until she was past the doors, down the stairs and retrieving her pack.

She made her way down to the bottom floor.

“You heading out first?” asked John. He stood at the front doors. A group of eight people were finalizing their packs just inside next to him.

“I’m going to do some last minute training before I leave,” she said. She dropped her pack next to the door. “Keep a watch on it for me?”

“Sure thing,” he said.

Her pack would be safe there, and she could grab it on the way out. Now she needed to get her head back into the right space. Not because she was feeling hot and not because she didn’t want to be the first to leave.

No, she needed to remind herself why getting close to anyone wasn’t an option. Otherwise, she’d have to leave Dragonspark for good. And that wasn’t something she cared to do right now.