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THEIR ARMY WAS a sight to see and Trinity was glad she was a part of it. They moved as one through the city streets, a few small teams slipping off to cover alleyways and exits. The other teams from the AC met up with them and they all marched together toward the Council Building, a moving sea of diversity.
Hugh led the way, her father to his right. The Producers and Grunts were next, with some Guards, Servants and Stockers mixed in their ranks. The Trackers and Handlers kept to the outskirts of the group as they all flowed forward. Almightys on the streets stopped to stare with open mouths at the sight as Guards and Servants from the city joined their ranks. Avions flew overhead, calling out if someone tried to slip down an alleyway. They weren’t going to let anyone escape and warn the Protective Services. Hugh stopped in front of the Council Building. The Council’s Guards protected the doors.
“We have you surrounded,” yelled Hugh. “Surrender. We don’t want to fight, but we will.”
She flexed her claws, barely able to keep still. There’d been a few altercations on their march but the Guards had easily been subdued. “This is going better than planned,” she whispered to Gaar.
“Watch, wait.” His face was tense. He tapped his nose.
She tipped back her head and sniffed. There were too many smells. She was surrounded by hundreds of Guards, Producers, Grunts, Stockers and House Servants. “What is it?”
“Not sure. Something is under the scent of the others. Faint.” He inhaled deeply.
She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the familiar scents and then she caught it—a hint of something else. “Wood.”
“Bitter. Musky.” He clasped her arm, his face drawn with fear.
A knot formed in her stomach. Gaar was never scared.
“We have to go.” He pulled her toward the back of the group, shoving the others out of his way.
“What is it?” She stumbled after him.
“Weapons,” he said, as the sounds of whizzing and explosions surrounded them followed by screams of pain.
Their army moved but not as one. They scattered and pushed, breaking Gaar’s hold on her. He was shoved forward with the crowd of frightened creatures scrambling for cover. She stood frozen as the sea of others moved around her.
“Run, Trinity!” Gaar fought the crowd, heading toward her, pushing anyone and everyone out of his way.
She turned toward the Council Building. Dead littered the streets. Their dead. Their soldiers. Their friends. Her eyes searched the bodies for Hugh. More and more creatures fell as they tried unsuccessfully to outrun the bullets. Then the Avions attacked. Birdie led the charge as the winged creatures soared and dove toward the windows, making the Guards with the guns lose focus and buying their soldiers some much needed time. She should run, but she searched for Hugh. Something whizzed by her ear and then something hit her, lifting her up and flopping her over a hard, fuzzy shoulder.
“Mirra, put me down,” she screamed. “I have to find Hugh.”
Mirra ignored her and raced through the crowd toward the alley—toward safety and away from Hugh.