Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom Of The Assassins Guild - Steel Of The Dagger
#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom Of The Assassins Guild - Steel Of The Dagger
#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom Of The Assassins Guild - Steel Of The Dagger
Ebook318 pages4 hours

#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom Of The Assassins Guild - Steel Of The Dagger

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5/5

()

Read preview

About this ebook

The Shades Of Gray Series follows the adventures of Kat, a woman with no memory of her past who is called the Pandora Project by those who hunt her, and Kim, a woman leading the life of a legal assassin called a Life Closer. The world they live in is plagued by clouds that prevent the sun from shining down on the land called Dry Clouds, making all who live in Noir forced to live in endless night.

Kat searches for clues to her past while androids called Un-Men and human bounty hunters try to kill her, and Kim searches for who murdered her mother. The two women's paths collide, and they form a shaky partnership to unravel the mysteries that haunt their lives and they try to protect one another from those who do not wish for them to discover the truth.

Everyone's soul is marked by a color. Which shade of gray will they hold to?

#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom of the Assassins Guild- Steel of the Dagger :

Kat and Kim are taken to the Dragon's Teeth, the city of the Assassins Guild.

**Shades of Gray Series**

(STARTING POINT QUADRILOGY)
#1 Shades of Gray: Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness
#2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love
#3 Shades of Gray: Cerberus Versus Pandora
#4 Shades of Gray: Sisters

(ZOMBIE TWILIGHT QUADRILOGY)
#5 Shades of Gray: Night Of The Twilight- The Chimera Strain
#6 Shades of Gray: Dawn Of The Twilight- Outbreak
#7 Shades of Gray: Day Of The Twilight- Patient Zero
#8 Shades of Gray: Land Of The Twilight- Closing of Days

(MYTHS AND DESPAIR QUADRILOGY)
#9 Shades of Gray: Rise of the Gorgons
#10 Shades of Gray: Woe To The Watcher
#11 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue
#12 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Thought They Could Only Hurt

(ASSASSINS GUILD ORIGINS QUADRILOGY)
#13 Shades of Gray: Creed of the Assassins Guild- Blade of the Dagger
#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom of the Assassins Guild- Steel of the Dagger
#15 Shades of Gray: Motto of the Assassins Guild- Hilt of the Dagger
#16 Shades of Gray: Precept of the Assassins Guild- Edge of the Dagger

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 23, 2014
ISBN9781311829559
#14 Shades of Gray: Axiom Of The Assassins Guild - Steel Of The Dagger
Author

Kristie Lynn Higgins

You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

Read more from Kristie Lynn Higgins

Related to #14 Shades of Gray

Related ebooks

Science Fiction For You

View More

Related articles

Related categories

Reviews for #14 Shades of Gray

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5

1 rating0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    #14 Shades of Gray - Kristie Lynn Higgins

    Shades of Gray #14

    Axiom Of The Assassins Guild

    Steel Of The Dagger

    Kristie Lynn Higgins

    SHADES OF GRAY: Axiom Of The Assassins Guild- Steel Of The Dagger

    Text Copyright © 2014 by Kristie Lynn Higgins

    Cover Art Copyright © 2014

    Smashwords Edition

    www.KristieLynnHiggins.com

    No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    START this series by TRYING the 1st book

    #1 Shades of Gray:

    Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness

    CLICK here to TRY it

    or go to my website

    www.kristielynnhiggins.com/SOG1.html

    Also from the author

    Beauty of the Beast #1

    The Mystic Rose- Part A

    The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss

    Click here to try it

    or go to www.kristielynnhiggins.com/BOTB1PartA.html

    Also From The Author

    Ayann A Fantasy Aciton Adventure Series

    try the first book

    Click here to try Ayann #1 Part A

    or go to

    www.kristielynnhiggins.com/Ayann-1-PartA.html

    A crucial time is approaching

    when friends meet again on uncertain ground.

    Is love strong enough to defeat hatred

    or will the darkness only blacken one's heart?

    Five members of two different bodies will meet head to head

    and a war that was started long ago will be rekindled.

    From the Assembled Works

    Ginn L. Irynkissgthie 525 B.D.C.

    Chapter One

    Axiom Of The Assassins Guild

    Points Of Interest...

    The Corporate Library of Alexandria was built in Egypt in the White Nile Region in 783 B.D.C., and it was operated by the Isis Corporation. In 725 B.D.C., the Isis Corporation started the Foreign Shared Works Program and branch libraries popped up all over the world with the Corporate Library of Alexandria as their main branch. The Foreign Shared Works Program was very lucrative for the Isis Corporation during Arcamedes and Ginn's time and still was during Kat and Kim's time.

    534 B.D.C...

    Italy...

    Romanistic Region, Craftsmen District...

    Wood Chisel and Mallet...

    Late winter...

    Gabriella came down the stairs from their one-room loft and warmed herself by the forge's hearth while Ginn hammered out a hinge for a cedar chest he was building. She watched him hammer the metal hinge and saw the despair that lingered over him. He told her what Damien had said to him and because of his once apprentice, his gaze was distant. She frowned, then looked down at herself, and decided she would speak with Ginn. It was time he had something else in his life besides nonsense-filled regret. Gabriella walked up behind him a safe distance from his swinging, waited for him to notice her, then she moved up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gave him a tender hug. He turned and hugged her in return and as she peered up at him, his glum expression vanished.

    I know something that shall turn your gloom into joy, she told him as she stepped back from him.

    What is that? Ginn questioned as he was tempted to stroke her blonde hair with his fingers, but refrained because of his grimy hands. What more could I want in this life? I have you.

    Gabriella grabbed his hand, not bothered by the dirt that clothed and fed them, then placed his palm on her stomach, and told him, We two shall soon be three.

    He put down his hammer, wiped his sweaty hands on his apron, and then put both of his hands to her stomach as he uttered, I am going to be a father?

    You are, and a fine one you shall make, papa.

    Ginn lifted his arms and embraced her with new zeal, and she embraced him back as they warmed more than their bodies. They also heated up the bonds between them as if they were folded in on themselves just like the bladesmiths of the Mount Fuji Region of the Katana Corporation manufactured swords with the process of folding steel. The swords were made by repeatedly heating, hammering, and folding the metal. The process of folding metal improved the strength of the blade just like their bond was strengthened by their repeated affection.

    His demeanor improved from that moment on and the cheer came back to his face. Gabriella would catch him with a distant gloomy expression ever so often, and she knew that he thought about Damien, but those moments came less and less.

    Another part of the Craftsmen District...

    At dusk, a lamplighter when around with his pole and lit the oil street lamps as Horatio Arcamedes headed for a nearby tavern after meeting with a patron. He noticed a candle burning within his smithing shop Hermes' Forge, and he went to see who was still there. Horatio had given everyone half a day off to prepare for Poseidon's Winter Solstice. The celebration included lighting a candle and walking the streets from about ten to midnight, then everyone would gather at large bonfires scattered outside the city and drink until dawn. Horatio found Damien at one of the sketching desks that were set up to draw out ideas. Damien was so entranced by his work as he put quill to parchment, he didn't hear his new master come in. Horatio walked around his journeyman so not to startle him and to see what he was working on. Damien wasn't drawing but composing.

    What are you writing? Horatio asked him.

    Damien glanced up, then stood, and spoke, Master, I didn't hear you come in.

    Sit. Sit. No need for formalities, Horatio stated, then waited for him to sit, and then started to pose his question again, but noticed Damien held something else in his other hand and asked, What is that you have?

    This? It's Vishnu, Damien answered and then held the object up to the candlelight so his master could see it. It is the silver dagger you gave me when I first became your journeyman.

    Ah... yes... Horatio replied. He had forgotten he had given the boy the gift of sorts. The blade had a twisted history. He questioned him, Why do you call it Vishnu?

    See this foreign writing here on the blade? Damien asked his master as he pointed out the classical Sanskrit and then he said, It is the liturgical language of the Rig Veda Corporation. You have encouraged me to study a broad range of subjects when I am not working here, and you even purchased a library card for me so I may do so. I visited Prometheus Library in the Studies District. It is a branch library of the Corporate Library of Alexandria and...

    Skip the history lesson and get to the point, Horatio snapped as he felt Damien talked down to him by telling him things he already knew. His new journeyman had a tendency to do such things, and Horatio wasn't sure if Damien was trying to impress him or belittle him.

    Damien continued, not noticing his master's annoyance at him, I was able to translate the name, and we pronounce the name on the blade as Vishnu.

    Horatio held out his hand for the dagger when his irritation left him and his curiosity invoked intrigue, and then he examined the blade. He remembered he had taken it off a silversmith he killed years ago. The man, Oppenheimer, came in and caught Horatio in the very act of committing adultery with his wife. Horatio took the dagger away from Oppenheimer when he went to drive the blade into Horatio, and Horatio plunged the dagger deep into his belly. He hid the body of Oppenheimer and paid off the widow with gifts of coins until one day Horatio also ended her life with the same blade. Oppenheimer and his wife were immigrants from the Visigoths Region of the Goths Corporation and were not missed. People of the Romanistic Region barely tolerated people from other regions who came in to work. It might have been the only thing Horatio would have worried about after eliminating the vixen and her enraged husband, but as was the case, he lived his life guilt free.

    Giving the blade another once over, Horatio thought about Oppenheimer's voracious wife, Vishnu. Her parents had immigrated from the Blue Nile Region after the Isis Corporation blacklisted them. Horatio ran his fingers over the engraving as he used to run his fingers over Vishnu's legs and hips. Oppenheimer must have engraved his wife's name into the blade. All of this time, Horatio didn't know, not that it mattered now. He gave the dagger back to Damien without as much of a hint of the diabolical past the blade and himself shared.

    Horatio motioned to the parchment now that his second curiosity was satisfied and reasked his earlier question, What are you writing?

    They are rules to live by, Damien replied. Since my parting from Ginn, I have decided that I am my own man and that I should decide how my life should be led, so I am working on rules one should live by. He motioned to the dagger and stated, I have noticed how strong and durable this dagger is, and I thought I would use it as an example of what to live by.

    May I see what you have written so far? Horatio asked.

    Of course, Damien replied and then handed him the parchment.

    Horatio looked it over and it read, I shall know my direction in life just as a dagger points in one way or another. I shall point my dagger at my enemy. I shall know my goals in life and rely on myself and trust only in myself. I shall hold no one else's goals higher than my own. I shall...

    You have a find start, Horatio told him then grinned as he said, These are very fine words to live by. I would like a copy of these rules once you have finished them.

    Of course, master, he said as he took the parchment back. Damien laid it on the desk's top that was slanted at an angle, grabbed the quill, and dipped it in the ink well.

    Before you go back to work, I would like to discuss something with you, Horatio said. I was going to speak to you of this tomorrow, but since we are both here...

    What is it? Damien asked him.

    Horatio began, As you know, I have no heir. My wife is unable to produce any sons or any children for me whatsoever. My mistresses also seem to be infertile.

    Damien questioned him, Why are you telling me these things?

    I know that you are no longer a child, Damien, but I would like to adopt you and make you heir to all that I have. You have an amazing mind and skills to match. You could continue my traditions once I am gone and my legacy shall never die. You could bring about all that I leave unfinished and my name shall live forever.

    I do not know what to say, Damien said.

    Say you shall agree to be my son. Say you shall carry the Arcamedes' name.

    Damien beamed with pride as he replied, I agree.

    Well done, my son, Horatio said and then he stated, I shall have my lawyer draw up the necessary paper work and make it official and since you are my son now, I would like to share something with you.

    What might that be? Damien questioned.

    Horatio started to tell him, but then he went to the front door and locked it. He stated upon his return, The sketches that you procured for me of the Breach Apparatus were very interesting. I have hired a crew and they are constructing one for me that is ten times the size of the one you and Ginn created.

    Why are you constructing one that is larger? Damien inquired.

    You told me what the one you and Ginn created was able to do at its size, Horatio replied and then questioned, Imagine what one that is larger shall do? He said, The Arcamedes' Aperture Device shall be complete sometime in the spring. I am having it constructed in secret in the barn of a farmhouse I acquired during a game of cards. Imagine the riches we could gain if we can take the things from the world you saw. We could learn how those things work and then make our own carriages without horses.

    I never thought about monetary gain, Damien said and then he added, There is much I need to learn from you, master.

    No, not master... father, Horatio stated as he put a hand to Damien's shoulder and said, Say it, my son.

    Father... he forced out and then he said with a new found belief in his adopted family, Father.

    It sounds good, does it not? Horatio questioned and then he said, Come with me and eat. You can finish your rules come tomorrow. Tonight, there is much more I would like to discuss with you about our family's future.

    * * *

    The present...

    32 A.D.C...

    November 6...

    Saturday...

    11:11 P.M...

    Hellenistic Sector, Industrial Vicinage...

    Etna Toys Plant and Warehouse...

    Intercessor cautiously entered the abandoned building and glanced around the area. An assembly line of machine and old boxes full of toys littered the plant floor along with signs of a gun battle. There was no one else there, but it did find an open elevator, stepped inside, and pressed the button for the lower level as Mr. Decuma had instructed the T-3. The cab descended, and the doors opened once it reached its destination, and then Intercessor stepped out to be greeted by a Council S.C.M. Unit. Two of the S.C.Ms. carried an EMP weapon that looked like a wide-mouth shotgun with circuitry and wires covering it. Seven of the other S.C.Ms. held their XM8 assault rifle.

    A lieutenant stepped forward with his hand to his sidearm as he questioned, Are you the T-3 known as Intercessor?

    I am, it replied.

    Follow me, the lieutenant instructed as he dropped his hand from his holstered weapon.

    The Council S.C.M. Unit escorted the T-3 to the old Chamber where Mr. Decuma sat at a rectangular table alone. Intercessor stopped once it reached halfway to the councilman and glanced around the room. At one time, machinery had been set up against one of the walls nearly to the ceiling. Mounts and wiring had been left behind as a testament to their existence.

    Come on over, Mr. Decuma said.

    Intercessor proceeded to the table with its escort and after Mr. Decuma motioned to a chair, it sat across from him.

    Intercessor said, Alpha told me that you have struck up an agreement with us and you would like to join forces with the T-3s in destroying the Pandora Project.

    That is correct, Mr. Decuma replied and then he stated, Pandora needs to be annihilated and once she has died, the Twilight will break and the Closing of Days will usher forth.

    Intercessor stated, In our research into Arcamedes, we have come across the words Closing of Days several times. It is the name of one of his musical pieces, and it is also a term meaning the end of all things. Alpha has instructed me to ask you a question, Intercessor said and then it inquired, Why do you want to destroy this world?

    Mr. Decuma explained, This world is tainted as the Dry Clouds are tainted. This world exists in darkness just as darkness spreads across the planet. Wickedness is in all humans, and it would be better if they no longer existed. They are the ones who brought the Dry Clouds to this world. They are the ones who are destroying our planet. We should bring about the Closing of Days to save what is left of this world.

    If we do that, will not the bio-mechas inherit what is left? Intercessor questioned.

    They will, Mr. Decuma answered and then he said, Perhaps you bio-mechas will be better caretakers of this planet than your human creators.

    Intercessor stated, You speak of the humans as if you are not one.

    I am human and yet I am not human, Mr. Decuma told it and then he explained, I am a clone who has no source, at least any source I have been able to discover. We were created from parts brought together by science. In many ways, we are like bio-mechas. We are called organic-mechas.

    Alpha and the others will be amazed to learn that the Council in many ways are like us, Intercessor said. Maybe that is why we sought you out to aid us in our quest.

    I believe you are right, Mr. Decuma spoke. In many ways, we are brethren.

    Time will shed light on that truth, Intercessor said. Let us now share what we know about the Pandora Project.

    Pandora is known by many names, Mr. Decuma stated. Those who see her as human call her Katharine. Those in the past who could see our future call her the Rushlight.

    Is Pandora human? Intercessor questioned.

    Mr. Decuma repeated the T-3s words back to it, Time will shed light on that truth.

    What else do you know about Pandora? Intercessor inquired of the councilman.

    It has been living at the apartment of Ms. Kimberly Griffin. The whereabouts of the two are unknown at this point. They were at the Polycon Building when it imploded and may have been swallowed up by the building's collapse, Mr. Decuma replied and then he asked, What do you know about Pandora?

    Intercessor answered, We do know that the Council was not the first to have possession of the project. We have come across records dating back to 10 A.D.C. stating that the Third Branch Office first had the project and did several experiments on Pandora at that time.

    Go on, Mr. Decuma urged when it seemed that the T-3 had more to say.

    We tracked down documents on Pandora that revealed that the Third Branch Office had her for nearly three years and then around 13 A.D.C., the records of Pandora from that time to the time of your possession seem to not exist. We are investigating the time between then and when the Council gained possession of Pandora.

    We have as much information, Mr. Decuma said and then he questioned it, Do you know what happened because of Pandora at the Third Branch Office involving the Chimera Strain?

    Yes, we have all that information, Intercessor answered and then it asked, Do you have any information pertaining to the Rushlight?

    I do, Mr. Decuma replied. I will have all that information gathered together and ready for you upon your return.

    Intercessor inquired, My return?

    Yes, our meeting has come to an end, Mr. Decuma informed it. I would like you to do something for me before we have our second meeting.

    You are assuming that I will do this thing for you.

    I am, but it does benefit both of us, Mr. Decuma stated. There is some information I am unable to get a hold of. I would like to know more about the time Pandora was at the Third Branch Office and exactly where and exactly who had it after that.

    Where can I get this information? Intercessor questioned.

    The Archives of the Third Branch Office will have information on the Pandora Project's early years. You could start there and see if you can find any clues as to its later years, Mr. Decuma told the T-3.

    I will confer with Alpha on your offer and see if this is something we are interested in doing. Is there a way I can contact you with our decision?

    Mr. Decuma motioned for one of the S.C.Ms. to come forward as he replied, I will give you my direct line and you can call me.

    The S.C.M. walked up to the T-3 and showed it a phone number on a H.H.C.

    Intercessor glanced at the number, immediately had it memorized, and then it stated, You are very trusting. Do you not know we can track you down by using your cell phone?

    You already know where I am. I will not be leaving Etna Toys Plant and Warehouse for a while. You see, I believe it is a fitting stage for what is coming.

    I do not understand your reference to a stage, but I assume that you would be packing up your base of operations once I left, Intercessor stated and then it questioned, What makes you so sure that I will not come back with my brethren and do something quite evil to you?

    Mr. Decuma replied, You could say I have peeked into the future and seen that our partnership goes on for quite a while. I have no need to fear you or your brethren.

    Intercessor glanced at the S.C.M. beside it, then to the ones behind it, then it faced the councilman, and asked, Was there anything else before we conclude our meeting?

    I will give you a hint as to how to keep the number of T-3s lost in this endeavor to zero.

    You are assuming we will go to the Archives.

    I have seen it, Mr. Decuma stated as if that was all he needed to say.

    Intercessor asked, Do you really believe that you can see what is coming?

    Mr. Decuma only smiled at the T-3's question and then he stated, Follow the rabbit and it will lead you to the hole. Go down the rabbit hole and then to your destination, and you will not be caught or lose one single T-3 to this endeavor.

    I will also relay that to Alpha, Intercessor said, turned, and headed for the door.

    Mr. Decuma's view...

    I watch as the T-3 leaves the old Chamber. I know what I have foreseen with my TriEye and that it will happen, because unlike Pandora, the T-3s do not have the capacity to create a new path other than the one I have foreseen. I am so sure of this that I have left myself open by disclosing my location to them.

    Am I arrogant? Am I psychotic? I guess only time will tell or is it, time will shed light on that truth?

    Chapter Two

    Of Shadows And Dreams

    Isaiah 6:9b

    Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.

    Kim's view...

    I have the sense that I'm dreaming, but I don't remember going to sleep. I'm walking through a hallway that looks familiar and a few people pass me, taking no notice that I'm there. I get another sense that I'm eighteen and heading to my mom's office. I'm so excited.

    The scene changes and I'm back to myself and walking the halls of Haelan Hospital. I've never been here before, but I know it's Haelan Hospital for I pass a memorial with the founder's name. I walk to a room and see Brian within. I notice his bandaged chest where he had been shot, and I feel guilty over his injury. I should never have brought him to the Sanctum. I walk to his side. He's sleeping, so I decide not to wake him and sit in a chair beside him. I want to place my hand to his, but I'm afraid I'll wake him and I wouldn't know what to say to him. I want him to wrap his arms around me and console me over the loss of my sister, but for all I know he's fighting for his life.

    I glance at a window and see the dark Dry Clouds outside. I find I do care for him, but I'm not sure about his feelings. He seems like a man with many attachments or is it he's a man with many non-attachments. I look back at him, and I feel guilty again for not saving him. He moves in bed, and I stand. What if he wakes? What do I say? I turn and head out of the room and when I take a step out, I'm standing in front of the Polycon Building.

    My back's to the building and in front of me is the driveway. I hear my sister and Katharine talking behind me. I'm so happy to hear that they're getting along, and I want to turn to them and join in on the conversation, but I don't turn. I know what's coming, and I don't want to be here when it happens, so I take off running. Their voices become distant, and I hear the roar of the explosion. I don't look back and keep on running as the scene around me goes black. I can't see where I'm going, but I don't stop my frantic charge to escape reality. I can't bear the sorrow again.

    Cold hits me and the scent of petroleum fills my nostrils

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1