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    #19 Shades of Gray: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith
    #19 Shades of Gray: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith
    #19 Shades of Gray: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith
    Ebook315 pages4 hours

    #19 Shades of Gray: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith

    By Kristie Lynn Higgins

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    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. Start this series by trying the first two books.

    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?

    #19 Shades of Gray: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith

    The craft of revenge moves forward as Kimberly and Katharine head down different paths.

    **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
    PublisherKristie Lynn Higgins
    Release dateApr 29, 2016
    ISBN9781311669490
    #19 Shades of Gray: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith
    Author

    Kristie Lynn Higgins

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

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      Book preview

      #19 Shades of Gray - Kristie Lynn Higgins

      Shades of Gray

      #19

      Seeking The Heart Of Revenge:

      Annihilate Their Faith

      Kristie Lynn Higgins

      SHADES OF GRAY: Seeking The Heart Of Revenge: Annihilate Their Faith

      Text Copyright © 2016 by Kristie Lynn Higgins

      Cover Art Copyright © 2016

      Smashwords Ebook 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.

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      Chapter One

      Seeking The Heart Of Revenge

      Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

      Psalms 41:9

      529 B.D.C...

      Late spring...

      Early morning...

      Italy...

      Romanistic Region...

      Castello Caves...

      Master Ginn Irynkissgthie and his apprentice, Alberto, were hard at work within the main cave. They were the only ones there at the time. Ginn worked on the Breach Apparatus while Alberto took a break from assisting his master as he tinkered with the small device Ginn had yet to name. It was a device he had told Alberto would house all of his hatred and wrath, so he could aim it at his once apprentice, Damien. Alberto wasn't sure how he felt about his master wanting revenge. He too wanted to make Damien pay for what happened to Gabriella, but he especially wanted him to pay for causing Aadea to be plucked from this world. Alberto put everything into the small device, but he still couldn't bring their wishes to life.

      Master Irynkissgthie, would you like to inspect my work? Alberto questioned with a hint of frustration in his voice. I have finished a gear in an new metal mixture.

      In a moment, my apprentice. I need to finish what I am working on, Ginn told him.

      His master for the time being put his efforts towards rescuing his daughter. Ginn knew revenge would come in its time, so he was able to put it far from his mind for the moment. He needed to figure out a way to reach his hand into the vast creation and snatch his daughter back. Ginn knew it would be like finding a drop of water in the ocean.

      Alberto moved over to the scaffold, climbed up to him, and inquired as he watched Ginn work on the Breach Apparatus, Is it nearly finished? It has been weeks since you started working on the device again. Viceroy Sextus said he would be bringing by a master later this week who can assist you with the calculations you need to fine tune the device.

      I believe it is nearly finished. All I need are the calculations and then we can conduct the first trial, Ginn replied. Why not return to your work, and I shall be down shortly? When I do come down, I shall inspect your work, and then we can take a break and eat to refuel our bodies and minds.

      Yes, master.

      Alberto returned to the ground level and began pouring hot liquid into the mold. It was a second new mixture of metal he was experimenting with. He created a few of the gears from the second mixture, trying to come close to the components needed to create the small device his master wished to design. Alberto poured all of his soul into it, but he still felt as if something wasn't quite right.

      Nearly half an hour went by before Ginn paused from his work atop the scaffold that surrounded the Breach Apparatus, and then he went and inspected the gears Alberto had created. He was greatly disappointed with the outcome of each of the metal mixtures and started to voice his displeasure, but then Ginn noticed his apprentice's dissatisfaction with his own work and didn't want to add to his already glum demeanor, so he held back his discouragement and merely spoke to him as if it were a lesson, and not as if the sanity of his mind and soul depended on them.

      It is still no good, he told his apprentice.

      I know, Alberto stated. I believe I am understanding more of your vision for this endeavor. I think I know how you wish the device to come out. My skills and the material are not yet ripe enough to accomplish the task.

      I believe you are right about part of it. Yes, the design and the technology behind it is still not sufficient, so we need to develop a technology that shall bridge the distance between the breath of life and the mechanics of machines if this thing is to possess my desires, Ginn spoke. Yes, that is what is needed for it is no where sufficient to possess my wishes and understand all that I want to accomplish with it.

      Alberto stated, Once we have Aadea home, we can devote more time and energy into this device. I believe once we are able to devote all our ingenuity into it, we shall come up with a solution. Our minds right now are split between two different sets of goals.

      I believe you are right, Ginn told him as he again picked up a gear and examined it as if searching for a way to improve upon it. The solution eluded him, so he started to head back to the Breach Apparatus as he said, I shall leave you to your work.

      Wait master.

      Yes, what is it?

      I believe we should name it, Alberto spoke, and then he stated, If we want to give this thing life, we need to name it. A name can be a very powerful thing and maybe with one, your desires shall sprout into life. He waited for his master to respond, and when Ginn said nothing, Alberto added, You mentioned that it was part of a Blueprint of Destruction to take down Master Arcamedes, but I believe the device needs a name. Have you thought about what you shall call it? Give life to your wishes by naming it.

      A name..? Ginn stated, then thought about it, and he replied, We shall simply call it Kardia. It shall be my own heart of wrath and revenge.

      Kardia, it is a strong name, Alberto stated as he turned and looked at the second metal mixture. Now we only need a device that is as strong as its name.

      Ginn started to return to his work when they heard people approaching through the connecting caves. Ginn placed his hand to the dagger, Vishnu, preparing to draw the blade and protect his Breach Apparatus at all cost. The large device was the only hope he had left in this world. Viceroy Sextus entered with a few of his soldiers and a man Ginn had never seen before. Ginn lowered his hand from Vishnu and never drew the dagger as Viceroy Sextus and the man walked over to Ginn while the guards waited by the entrance to the main cave.

      Master Irynkissgthie, I would like to introduce to you, Master Septimus Nemein. This is the brilliant man I promised I would hire to help you with your calculations to open the window between.

      Master Septimus Nemein was a thin man short of stature, quick of wit, and had hair black as ink.

      Good to meet you, Ginn spoke as he offered his hand.

      Septimus shook it as he questioned, Is this the Aperture Device I have heard all about?

      It is, but I call it the Breach Apparatus after the small device I first created, Ginn replied. The Aperture Device was a substandard re-creation of the original device. It is best that we do not mention it again.

      Septimus said nothing to Ginn's statement, but glanced at Sextus. The Viceroy tried to think of something to say to break up the troublesome moment, and when he thought they would be stuck in the awkward moment forever, the apprentice came to their aid.

      Alberto picked up a rag and wiped his hands on it as he approached the group and spoke, I keep telling my master he should call it the Grand Breach Apparatus. It is completely different than his original device.

      Viceroy Sextus chimed in thankful for the apprentice's distraction, I like the sound of that. It is a grand endeavor that we are all taking. One that shall be fruitful in the end.

      Another soldier came into the main cave, escorting another man.

      The new man lifted his voice and questioned the Viceroy, What sort of place have you summoned me to? I see that you have also dragged Master Nemein here as well.

      Viceroy Sextus turned to him and replied, It is about time you arrived. Did my soldiers have to drag you away from entering a tavern?

      It is still morning, the man shouted back. I never left the tavern from the night before.

      Viceroy Sextus lowered his voice and said, Master Irynkissgthie, there is someone else I would like you to meet. He motioned to the new man as he approached them with the soldier, This is Master Paros Bios.

      Master Paros Bios was a red faced man with blond hair who was well rounded and tall.

      It is an honor to meet you, Paros spoke as he offered his hand to Ginn. Viceroy Sextus has told me about the apparatus you are working on.

      Ginn looked to the second highest ruler of the Sphinx Corporation and questioned, Should you have brought an outsider here without first discussing it with me? Master Nemein, I had requested, but this other man could put our project in jeopardy. I shall not let anyone prevent me from rescuing my daughter!

      Believe me when I say you shall thank me when you see all that Master Bios can do, Viceroy Sextus quickly answered, trying to defuse Ginn's outrage. He has begun work in sciences that have yet to be named. He is also like you, Master Irynkissgthie, he is an inventor and tinkerer of things.

      Ginn turned to the newest man and said, Tell me about your work.

      Paros replied, I am developing living metal that can take on properties normal metal and wood cannot. It also has abilities to grow.

      Master... Alberto spoke up. Perhaps this is the item you are looking for the Kardia.

      What is this Kardia you speak of? Paros questioned the apprentice.

      It is...

      Ginn interrupted Alberto and answered, It is a weapon. One designed to kill one man.

      I am not sure if I am to take it as a joke, but I do like the sound of it, Paros spoke. This man you speak of... Is he deserving of this hatred you have for him?

      He is, Ginn answered and then he asked, What can you tell me about this substance that is alive?

      It is called Alyfe, Paros replied. It is still in the developing stages, but I have had good results with a few of my experiments with it.

      Give me more details on how you have created this Alyfe, Ginn stated, intrigued by the idea.

      I came across a tiny creature that can only be seen in a somewhat new invention called the microscope, Paros began. A Danish naturalist by the name of Friedrich Muller Otto discovered what he later named the colonial Bacillaria paradoxa fifteen years back. The Bacillaria paradoxa is one of many creatures called diatoms.

      Ginn grabbed his head as he felt a little lightheaded, his vision blurred for a few seconds, then he felt as though his body shifted, and he said, I have heard that name before, but do you not mean Otto Friedrich Muller?

      No, I am sure of it. The Danish naturalist is named Friedrich Muller Otto, Paros replied. I have a few of his books.

      Master Bios is correct, Master Irynkissgthie, Septimus spoke up. I have also heard of him. The man's name is Friedrich Muller Otto.

      The lightheadedness left Ginn and his body and vision returned to normal as he spoke, You are both right. I do not know what came over me. I have yet to eat today, so I may be a little...

      What exactly are diatoms? Alberto questioned, interrupting his master.

      Paros replied, I have discovered in my research that diatoms are a major group of algae, and they are among the most common types of phytoplankton. They are unicellular, but they can form colonies in many shapes like filaments, ribbons, fans, zigzags, and stars. I believe that the most important thing about these little creatures is that they are enclosed within a cell wall made of silica; it is called a frustule and these frustules show a wide range of diversity in their forms, but are nearly always bilaterally symmetrical and hence the group name. The symmetry is not perfect since one of the valves is slightly larger than the other to allow one to fit inside the other. A few of the corporations have started using diatom communities as a tool for monitoring environmental conditions especially in the study of water quality. I have also heard that they have started using them as...

      Ginn interrupted him with a question, What do diatoms have to do with your invention the Alyfe?

      Paros replied, When I heard about these creatures, I began to look into them myself about fourteen years ago, and at that time, I discovered a rare diatom that only grows in a lake located near some property my family owns. I named them Intellectus Forma because of unique properties they have over other diatoms. They can form intricate shapes and then reshape themselves to another shape. They can also communicate with me.

      Communicate with you? Septimus questioned as he laughed. What are they, parrots?

      No, Paros replied. They are far more intelligent than parrots and with them I believe we can reshape our world.

      Now you understand why I had him come here, Viceroy Sextus spoke up. This Alyfe that Master Bios created with the Intellectus Forma is amazing. I have seen them with my own eyes.

      It is much more than amazing, Paros stated with pride. Alyfe can be used in many applications since it can nearly take on any shape, and the substance is very strong. It is even stronger than steel.

      How large are these forms the Alyfe creates? Septimus inquired.

      The largest form I had the Alyfe take on is the size of a wagon, Paros replied. I most recently had the Alyfe create moving shapes. They have not quite got it right, but I think with time and practice they shall be able to take on complicated workings, and then I can create machines with them. You see each generation passes on their knowledge to the next generation, so the more I train them the better they become.

      Let me see if I understand, Alberto said. The Intellectus Forma are very tiny creatures, and they are what is in the substance you created called Alyfe. It must take thousands of them to produce anything.

      You do understand, and it takes millions of the Intellectus Forma to create the Alyfe and form shapes, Paros told him.

      It sounds to me as if you are some how manufacturing these Intellectus Forma for your experiments, Ginn stated.

      I created a factory near the lake I mentioned earlier, to cultivate the diatoms. I finished building the factory about ten years back, and I have been experimenting with the Alyfe since then. The Intellectus Forma in my Alyfe are different than the Intellectus Forma in the wild. They are much smarter because of my training, but they also go through a process once they enter my factory, and... well... I can explain the rest at another time. I do not want to flood anyone's mind with too much information. I find too much information makes me tune out those around me after a while, but information handed to me bit by bit, I can absorb very well.

      To create shapes with creatures... no more than that... to have the creatures themselves create the shapes for you is amazing, if it is true, Septimus stated with excitement. I am one of those eye believers.

      Eye believers? Alberto repeated.

      I only believe if I see it with my own peepers, Septimus told him as he pointed to one of his own eyes.

      Come then, Paros urged them. Come and be convinced. I have brought a small sample with me, and it is outside in the wagon. I thought I might have to bring evidence of what I have been able to accomplish, so come.

      Ginn, Septimus, Alberto, and Viceroy Sextus along with his soldiers followed him through the caves.

      Paros continued as they walked, Do any of you have any other questions?

      What have you created with this living material? Ginn asked. You mentioned shapes.

      I have made a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, and many more. They are all about the size of my hand, Paros replied.

      Alberto stated, Interesting you could produce the shapes, but how is forming all of those shapes important?

      One, once they were form, Alyfe was as strong as steel, and two, each of those shapes were created from the same piece of Alyfe. I did not construct the shapes, but commanded the Alyfe to take on the shapes, and they did so as if I had poured them into a mold.

      They are alive as you say, but how do you get them to form what you want? Ginn inquired.

      As I have been trying to explain, they have an intelligence, Paros replied.

      Ginn questioned, Does not intelligence also suggest a will? How do you subject them to your will and not their own?

      I have not gotten around their will as of yet, so it is the primary reason for some failed attempts when their will as a whole beats out my own.

      A problem that shall need to be fixed if we are to proceed with your experiments and blend them with my own, Ginn stated as they walked, and then he said, I make my apology, Viceroy Sextus, I am pleased that you brought Master Bios here. I could use the substance he speaks of for another project I am working on, and I believe his mind may come in handy to solve any problems that may arise with the Breach Apparatus.

      Septimus spoke up, Maybe you should hold off your praise until we have seen the Alyfe at work.

      The group left the Castello Caves and walked out into the bright sunlight, and then Paros led them to one of the wagons outside. Many items had been unloaded from the wagon, and Paros walked over to a small barrel that had been set on top of a wooden crate.

      Gather around, he told them. There is room for everyone.

      Ginn, Alberto, Septimus, and Viceroy Sextus encircled the crate while his soldiers stood guard. Paros opened the lid to the barrel, and everyone peered in.

      They are moving, not like liquid, but like blue jelly jostled in a jar, Septimus exclaimed. I did not think they would still be alive, but I guess you did say that they were the ones forming the shapes, so they would need to be alive to do such a feat, unless the dead are able to rise and walk about.

      Paros spoke, Intellectus Forma have a life span of about a year. They reproduce about ten times during their lifetime. A male Intellectus Forma either swims over to a female Intellectus Forma or if they are in a colony, the male Intellectus Forma can copulate with a female Intellectus Forma it is touching. The male Intellectus Forma signals his interest to copulate by emitting a blinking light in a shade of color consisting of either blue or green, and if a female excepts his advances, she shall blink in the same shade of color. They then eject pieces of their existence, and the pieces come together and bond, and soon they form an offspring. The offspring does not join the colony, if one exists. They swim off and join other offspring from other colonies or individuals, and then they most likely start their own colony and the process starts over. Male and female Intellectus Forma usually switch partners when they copulate the next time, not that I am keeping notes or anything.

      Viceroy Sextus smacked him on the shoulder and said, You are an algae voyeur.

      I have to be if I want to further science, Paros told him.

      They are blue, Alberto stated as he peered into the barrel. I thought they would be green or maybe blue-green, but they are light blue and shiny like polished steel.

      Intellectus Forma are blue-green in their natural form, Paros stated. Once they are processed into Alyfe, they turn into the color you see before you. Now... if everyone shall stand back three paces, I shall begin the presentation.

      Everyone did as instructed as Paros moved over to another crate, opened it, and removed a bizarre device. It had a rectangular end with a long tube connected to it, and metal wires were connected in different places on the rectangular piece. There was also a copper wheel positioned on the side of the rectangular end. Paros took the device, made his way back to the barrel, and stuck the long tube into the Alyfe. Paros took his thumb and spun a copper wheel, and sparks shot up from the wheel.

      I am feeding the Alyfe a little static charge. It is similar to the static generated when one walks across a rug in the winter.

      May I feel this charge? Alberto questioned.

      If your master says you may, then you can, Paros replied.

      Alberto looked to Ginn, and Ginn asked, It shall not hurt him?

      It shall not, Paros replied. I have also touched the end of the rod to feel its power.

      Ginn turned back to his apprentice and nodded, so Alberto stretched out his finger as Paros raised the device so he could touch the tube's end. Alberto touched the end and jerked his finger back.

      Did it hurt? Septimus questioned him.

      It did not, Alberto replied. It frightened me and my finger feels a little numb, but it did not hurt.

      Paros placed the end of the device back in the barrel, and after a few moments, the Alyfe began to glow.

      Stand at attention, Paros commanded his creation.

      The Alyfe obeyed and rose its liquid form from the barrel, so that half of its mass was above the barrel, and it glimmered in the sunlight.

      Alyfe, form a cube on the crate, Paros ordered. I then want you to harden.

      The light blue substance rolled out of the barrel and plopped on the crate below, then the Alyfe formed a cube, and it substance stopped jiggling like jello.

      Go on everyone, Paros urged them. Touch the Alyfe in its solid form.

      Ginn reached his finger out first and tapped the cube, and then he stated, It is hard. He tapped the cube again and said, It is as hard as steel.

      Everyone else touched the Alyfe as Septimus questioned, The Alyfe can take on this hard form and still return to its jelly-like state?

      For as long as the mega-colony is alive, the Alyfe can continue to change its shape, Paros replied. The members of this mega-colony of Alyfe are about six months old. Once they are in their eleven month, I have them take on a shape that is not part of my collection, and so far even after the death of the mega-colony, all the shapes have held up along with the strength of the substance.

      Septimus inquired, What is the oldest shape that you have?

      It is going on twelve years now, Paros answered. It is a sphere the size of my hand with a pyramid hole in its center. I call the shape NeoGeode.

      Alberto said, One day I would like to visit your factory and see all of these shapes for myself. I would also like to see the natural habitat of the Intellectus Forma. I am also very curious as to the process they go through to become Alyfe.

      Your wish can easily be fulfilled, Paros told him.

      Ginn picked up the cube, examined the Alyfe more closely, and then he said, Viceroy Sextus, could you set him up with a laboratory here within the caverns? I would like Master Bios to join us, that is if he agrees to come here and work with all of us. My apprentice can lend him a hand with the Alyfe while Master Nemein and myself work on the calculations for the Grand Breach Apparatus.

      "I see that you have settled on the

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