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BY THE LOOK on Sassy’s face, Trinity wanted to pull her words back. Hugh couldn’t be dead. He couldn’t.
“Hugh’s inside the Council Building,” said Sassy.
“What?” That was almost worse. The Council Building was surrounded by the Council’s Guards. The armed Council’s Guards and there was no way Hugh’s army could get there to help him.
“That’s where we were headed when I saw you trying to get yourself shot,” said Indy. “Hugh’s going to need help.”
“Why are you doing this? You belong to Jethro.” Her hand went to her knife. If this were a trick or a trap she’d kill him.
“If you win the war, I belong to myself.” Indy’s eyes darted to her hand and then back to her face.
“So, you’ve joined our side. How convenient.”
“Oh yeah, because your side is doing so well.”
He had a point. She moved her hand away from her knife and Indy exhaled.
“How do we get inside?” she asked.
“I know a back way. Come on,” said Indy.
The Guard led them toward the building, using any kind of structure as cover from the bullets. They raced forward, stopping behind a carriage where Bruno waited. They were only one quick dart away from the Council Building.
She leaned against the carriage, studying the paths to the building. This time, she only needed to worry about getting inside. They’d either be coming out as victors, prisoners or in body bags.
“Where’s Townsend?” she asked.
“He’d better be safe at home,” said Bruno.
“I doubt that.” Sassy stood on tiptoe and kissed Bruno on the cheek. “Sorry honey, but Townsend is probably out gathering information or spurring people on to help our cause.”
“Don’t take away my hope.” Bruno’s hand rested low on Sassy’s back.
“I’ll go first,” said Indy.
“We should all go at the same time,” said Trinity.
“I know what I’m doing. I’m a trained soldier.”
“Yeah, for the other side.” She still didn’t trust this Guard. Him and Jethro were more than Guard and master; they were friends.
Indy started to argue when Bruno interrupted. “Why do you think we should all go at once?”
“They’ll see whoever goes first and then they’ll be watching for the rest of us.” She put her hands on her hips. “Whoever goes first stands the best chance, but if we all leave together—”
“That’s Gruntshit,” said Indy. “If we all go at once, they’ll see our large group and pick us off one-by-one. If I go first, I can distract them—”
“You didn’t let me finish.” This guy was an arrogant ass. “We need to take separate paths that lead to the same place.”
Indy started to argue and then stopped, his mouth hanging open.
“One of us can run that way, to that carriage and then the building.” She pointed across the street. “Someone else can go to that alleyway and then over and one of us can take that route past the two carriages and then the building.”
“That’s only three of us,” said Sassy. “Please don’t say it, Trin.”
“It’s the best plan.” She took a deep breath. “One of us needs to run directly to the front of the building.”
“Are you crazy? The Guards are heavy in that area. They even have Guards stationed above.” Indy’s eyes drifted upward toward the six windows, protected by six armed Guards. “That’s not a plan. That’s suicide.”
“Not if that person is fast.” She looked from one to the other. “It’ll help draw the focus off the others.”
Indy shot her a disbelieving look, but there was a hint of resigned respect in his eyes. “You have no idea how much it hurts to admit this, but she’s right.”
“And you have no idea how many males say those exact words to me.” She fought a smile.
“I can only imagine,” muttered Indy.
She gave up and grinned. There was something appealing about the young Guard. He was a disrespectful, sarcastic ass but for him it worked.
Indy moved to the section of the carriage closest to the building. “You three take the other routes, I’ll—”
“No. You know the way inside and you’re familiar with the layout,” she said. It was dire he made it to the building. He’d be the most help to Hugh.
“I’ll give you the directions. It’s best if I—”
“I’m faster.”
His chest puffed up a bit.
Sassy slapped him on the back. “She is.” She turned toward Trinity. “Are you sure you want to do this? You could come with one of us. Two isn’t a much bigger target than one.”
She swallowed. “No. It’s better this way. I can draw some fire from you guys.”
“Stay safe. Run fast.” Sassy gave her a quick hug.
She stood frozen for a moment. They were friends but not the hugging type. Bruno must be softening Sassy up a bit.
She shouldered Indy out of her way, taking his place at the carriage. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” they whispered.
“Now,” she said and they all ran out from behind the carriage, taking their separate paths toward the Council Building.
Since only fools would head toward the gunfire, they’d have a few moments before the Guards would notice them. She ran faster than she’d ever run in her life, but she was still far away from cover when the first bullets whizzed past her. She told herself to zig and zag, to not run in a straight line but her instincts screamed for her to get to cover as quickly as possible and the fastest route was straight. She was almost there, just another few steps when a bullet buzzed by her leg and a moment later there was a slight sting. She stumbled but kept running. The only chance she had was to make it to the building. Bullets flew all around her and she leapt, hitting the wall with her shoulder. She pressed herself flush against the building. She was safe. All she had to do was dart around to the side. Sassy was there, waving her over. She took a deep breath and froze. A Guard, large and angry, headed her way. He was pointing a gun right at her. She glanced back at Sassy who was waving more frantically, her eyes wide with fear. She shook her head. She’d never make it.
She glanced around but there was nowhere to hide and nowhere to run. So, this was it. The Guard was going to have to kill her because she wasn’t letting him capture her. She couldn’t allow herself to be used as a weapon against Hugh, against their cause. She exposed her claws. As soon as he got closer, she’d attack. A feeling of calm washed over her. This wouldn’t be a bad way to go. She’d die with honor, fighting for what she believed in and those she loved. Gaar was right. Everything died eventually.