Mac finished clipping the light cotton bed sheet between the two cots. They both had plenty of room, he’d made sure that he had the largest tent. It was supposed to be used for meetings with Ash and Lyson about what they should do next, but this was better. They could meet anywhere outside, and probably should.

Juliana was still outside. When he’d left her, she was joking with a group of newer Dragonspark members. It was good to see her feeling better, even if most of it was because the pain in her shoulder was masked by the medication. Still, if it was kept clean with no risk of infection, she’d be back to herself in a few days.

He didn’t know how he was going to feel having her lying in the same tent as him. It made sense that they should share, given her injury and the fact that fewer tents made them less conspicuous. Even so, someone flying over would spot them in seconds. It was hard to hide a dozen tents and other equipment set up.

He figured it to be past midnight and even if Juliana wasn’t tired, it didn’t mean that he wasn’t. Lyson had spotted storm clouds a few hours away, and if they reached their campsite, it would make for a miserable stay.

Mac got into bed and lay down. He looked over at Juliana’s empty bed and wondered if he’d made the right decision in letting her be so close to him. Time would tell.

* * *

A crack of thunder awoke Mac with a jolt. His heart pounded as he looked across the room to Juliana’s bed. It was still empty. He reached underneath his pillow to check the time and saw that it had gone two. He frowned as he considered where she was. He pushed the bed sheets away and turned on the battery lantern so he could see better.

Mac rubbed his face with his hands then pulled on his boots. He exited the tent, wrapping his arms around himself to keep warm. A bolt of lightning in the distance lit up the sky like a light had been flicked on.

There’d be a deluge of rain soon, he could smell it in the air.

Juliana and one other person were left sitting around the fire. They were laughing at something clearly hilarious. As he neared he saw the empty bottles of beer at their feet.

Juliana looked around at him as he approached, holding her hand out for him.

“Have you been drinking?” he asked.

She pouted and looked down at the bottles on the ground. She pushed her fingers together until they were barely touching. “Maybe a bit.” She chuckled.

“Did you run it by Caran first?”

“Why would I do that?” She shrugged melodramatically.

“Come on.” He grabbed her by the arm to attempt to help her stand.

“Hey!” She pulled her arm back. “I’m not ready to go.”

Mac took a deep breath. He could leave her out here as the rain approached, or he could persuade her to come back to the tent with him. As he was contemplating what to do, the woman he’d been talking to, Kelly, said goodbye. She yawned and turned, leaving Mac and Juliana alone.

Mac sat down next to her. He didn’t say anything, he knew it wasn’t his place to try and convince her to do go back to the tent, even if she had been drinking. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t wait out here with her until she came to that conclusion on her own.

“You’re mad,” said Juliana.

“Why would I be?” He cocked his head to the side and studied her. A soft warm glow from the dying fire lit her face gently. It created gold highlights in her dark hair.

“You’re not?” She narrowed her eyes. “I know.” She sat down next to him and sighed. “I shouldn’t drink while taking medication. You can say I told you so.”

Mac picked up a half empty bottle that Kelly had discarded and took a sip. “I just came to see if you were okay. It’s about to rain and I didn’t want you to catch a cold.”

“You don’t get cold’s from rain, you get it from viruses.”

“Then why do people always get them in winter and not summer?”

She stopped as if considering what the truth was. “I don’t know. I’ll ask Caran.” She stood up then sat back down. “Tomorrow.” Juliana took a deep breath and moved closer to Mac. He tensed as she rested her head on his shoulder, but made no attempt to move. “It’s going to rain soon.” A droplet landed on his leg.

He grinned. “Yep.” And took another swig of beer.