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HUGH JUMPED OUT as the carriage turned down the street on the side of the Council Building.
“What are you doing?” yelled Jackson. “Get back in here.”
The carriage stopped as he ran to the door. “No. I’m ending this war.” He punched in a key code on the panel.
The door didn’t open. Tim came up behind him. He tried another code. Still nothing.
“You need to do something quick.” Tim’s ears were perked. “I think they’re coming our way.”
“Gruntshit.” He aimed the gun at the keypad and fired. There was a small explosion and then the door slid open. They hurried inside. “Where’s Jackson?”
Tim shrugged.
He pushed past the Servant. Jackson knelt at the front of the carriage, his hands over Cack’s neck, trying to stop the blood that was spurting out, but it was too late. A wound like that was fatal.
“Ah, shit.” He hurried over to them.
Cack’s breathing was labored and blood poured from numerous wounds on his large body. The Grunt’s frightened eyes met Hugh’s and Cack tipped his head slightly, tears rolling down his face.
He knelt and whispered in Cack’s ear, “I’ll look after your child and mate. I promise.” As long as he won this war.
“Hurry up,” said Tim. “They’re coming.”
He stood. “I’m sorry, Cack, but we have to go.” There was nothing they could do for him. The Grunt would be dead in minutes.
“I’m not leaving him,” said Jackson.
Cack tried to push Jackson’s hands from his throat but he was already too weak, so he turned his head away.
Jackson took the Grunt’s hand. “I’ll see to your family. I swear.”
Cack looked at him a moment, nodded and then turned away again, his eyes focusing on the wall across from him. Hugh hoped he was seeing something besides the dull, red brick.
“Come on,” said Tim.
Hugh grabbed Jackson’s arm and dragged him through the side door.
“Hurry up.” Tim fidgeted in the hallway.
“A friend just died.” Jackson growled at the House Servant.
“I really don’t need Servant-Guard hostilities right now. It’s not going to take the Guards long to realize we’ve gotten inside.”
“Then we wait for them.” Jackson’s lips turned up, exposing his canines.
“Are you crazy?” asked Tim. “They’re armed, we’re not.”
“I am and they don’t know that.” Hugh waved the gun at Tim.