#11 Shades of Gray- Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue
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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?
#11 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue:
Closers move in to kill the doctor while the Gorgons terrorize the Sanctum.
**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
Kristie Lynn Higgins
You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins
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#11 Shades of Gray- Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue - Kristie Lynn Higgins
Shades of Gray
#11
Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue
Kristie Lynn Higgins
SHADES OF GRAY: Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue
Text Copyright © 2013 by Kristie Lynn Higgins
Cover Art Copyright © 2013
Smashwords Edition
www.KristieLynnHiggins.com
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One woe passes as another one approaches.
Will the one who has held their heart's tongue last?
Or will the Reaper glean him too?
From the Assembled Works
Ginn L. Irynkissgthie 525 B.D.C.
Chapter One
Woe To The One Who Has Held Their Heart's Tongue
How can this be happening? My plans were perfect; work for the Council for a few days, and I would be a set man. I bought the yacht of my dreams and even invited the woman of my wet-imaginings to come with me. Where did it all go wrong? What was my first mistake?
32 A.D.C...
November 5...
Friday...
11:41 A.M...
Nexus Apartments...
Minutes before the elevator plummeted...
Ms. Griffin, what's going on?
Henry franticly questioned as he stood at the lobby's front desk. Should I...
The transmission was cut off, and he shouted, Ms. Griffin?! Ms. Griffin?!
He turned to Marc the younger guard and asked, What did the security office say?
Marc answered, Someone has hacked into Nexus Apartments' Mainframe and has gained control of the elevators, and they're trying to regain control.
Has anyone notified Benjamin?
Marc answered, Not yet, but he should already know; Benjamin knows most things before we know them.
Call him just in case and then come on.
Henry grabbed a flashlight that was mounted on the side of the desk as Marc made the call, and then they quickly headed for the stairs as Henry said, Let's see if we can turn off the power to the elevators. It's one floor below.
Moments earlier...
In the elevator about half way up the building...
I think we should have acted on Katharine's plan,
Regina said as she pressed the lobby button several times. She hated feeling powerless in the current situation; and she had to protect Kat, a lot relied on the woman from the other Earth.
Brian asked, Why should we have acted on her plan?
I grip the paper bag I had filled with food from Kim's pantry; at the time, I didn't know what else to do as they packed to leave, so I packed this bag. A little ridiculous I know, but no one seemed to mind or even notice I was doing it. I wish this elevator would go down. I really want off, and Kim seems a little nervous about something. I still can't believe this is happening to me; of all people, me!! One moment I'm very pleased with myself as I make final arrangements with the Council to end my transitory employment with them, and the next moment I'm overhearing something I shouldn't. Whatever happened to that guy Argus? I thought he mentioned something about wanting to speak his mind in case it was the last time he had to speak it. I still can't believe he did this to me. Argus spoke those things about Kat in front of me, so I would come to some horrible end; the only thing is, I don't know why. Why would he want me dead? I hardly know the guy. What did I ever do to him? I don't think I ever slept with his girlfriend or wife.
I move to the middle of the elevator and then back in one of its corners. I shouldn't worry about him; it is enough worrying about my own life to occupy myself right now. Can Kim protect me? She did the first time we met in a way, so can she do it again? And what kind of assassin or assassins did they send after me? Will they kill me quick with a sniper shot to the head or will they kill me slow, so that they can enjoy it? I shift the paper bag to my other hand. I only have to make it to a second past midnight; if I can make it till Monday, then I'll be fine, and I can enjoy the yacht I purchased. I can enjoy making love to Kim, and I can... My hip hits the side of the elevator, and I remember a small necklace box in my pocket. I was going to give the necklace to Kim when she accepted my offer to sail away with me, but that didn't happen. The charm on the necklace represents the pact we made while we were in the Monument Vicinage of the L-E Acquisition Sector before we parted from each other that first day we met; the charm also has more of a personal meaning to me. Maybe she will understand it when she sees the charm. If we get out of this mess, I'll invite her back to my yacht and I'll give it to her then. The moment has to be right; I'll order caviar and champaign. I think I'll put a special order in for chocolate covered strawberries; and after a night of ecstasy, I'll present the necklace to her and... My mind snaps out of its thoughts as I pull back into the present, hearing Ms. Goodwoman's voice. I heave a great sigh of despair. Monday is such a long way off.
I believe someone has control of this elevator,
Regina replied as she felt like screaming at the button she was pressing. And I don't think they plan on letting us out.
She stepped back as she realized her efforts were in vain.
The elevator continued up to the thirty-fifth floor, stopped, and then immediately started to descend; and it quickly accelerated as it descended, shaking the cab a bit. Brian and Regina let out a startled scream as the elevator rocked violently. The numbers above the doors lit up three numbers at a time as the cab fell past the floors with increasing speed.
Regina yelled, They're trying to kill us!
Here?! I'm going to die here?! I drop the paper bag, and it lands on the floor with a thud and several clangs. I want to run out of the elevator; I want to do something that will save my life, but there's nothing that I can do, so I grab Kim's hand. I search for strength and comfort in it like I had done in the past when the Reaper had come for me, but all I find is uncertainty and anxiety in her firm grip.
I don't want to die; there's still so much I want to do. There are so many oceans I want to sail, and there are so many places I want to see. I look to Kim as I realize there will be another regret. I want to tell her how I feel, that she's different from any other woman I've known; no, that isn't quite right. My feelings toward her are different than any I've had towards any other woman. Can I tell her? Can I tell her how I really feel? I've only told her that I care for her, but my feelings toward her are so much more than that.
I don't have the courage to do it, but realized this might be my final chance to proclaim my love. I start to blurt out my feelings when the emergency brakes kick in, and I'm knocked along with everyone else to the floor. She lands on top of me as the items that we had taken into the elevator toss about the cab; and I quickly wrap my arms around her, trying to protect her. The warmth of her body and the smell of her skin takes me back to April to those moments when we were in front of the great emblem that would later stand as a symbol of our pact.
Seven months ago, I had felt such terror as I faced the Phoenix's gun and her wrath; and what happened next that day, changed my life. Great chains of obligation had been wrapped around my wrists and made me a slave to her will. I owed her. She who would have ended me that day, so I owed her my life. A debt I have yet to pay back to her.
In the elevator, I tighten my hold on her, fearing this is the end as much as I had feared it was the end back then. The cab shakes; and in that moment, she gazes at me as I look into her blue-green eyes. I can tell she is panicking as her attention is diverted to the others. She screams something, but I can't make it out. Her body is tense, but then it relaxes as she surrenders to her fate, closes her eyes, and presses herself against me; and as her body lies on top of mine, I am again swept back to the moment when we stood in front of the great emblem. The fear I had felt, the rousing anxiety all came flooding back to my mind and burned across my body. This could be it, so over the noise of the brakes I tell her, I love you.
I'm not sure if she hears me; her body makes no movements to acknowledge my declaration.
The cab slows and halts its descent; and once we come to a stop, I hold her and wait for her to react to my proclamation. She sits up through my arms, reaches for the door open button, presses it, and the doors start to open, but then they close. I'm still holding on to Kim's hand as I question her, Are we safe?
Not until we get out of this elevator.
Kim rises to her feet, releasing my hand; and I feel as though she has dropped me down a dark well. Did she hear me? I know it was loud in the cab, but I'm sure I had said it loud enough. Maybe she doesn't want to say anything in front of the others and will talk with me later. I hope there is a later.
Kim says, Everyone help me pry these doors open.
She places her fingers in between the two doors and starts pulling on one.
I move toward her with the others and then pause as the elevator lurches and starts up.
Now what's going on?
Regina asked.
A second attempt is my guess,
Kim answered as she huffed from pulling; and knowing they didn't have much time, she pulled all the more. Whoever's doing this to us might have figured out how to get around the emergency brakes; and this time, we won't stop when we head down. Hurry!
She yanked harder. Let's get these doors opened.
Kat got on the same side of Kim, and they tugged on the one door as Regina and Brian tugged on the other. Everyone pulled with all their might, and the doors started to open as the elevator came to a stop again. Everyone looked up, and they saw that they were on the thirty-sixth floor.
Hurry!
Kim yelled.
The elevator accelerated up again and went to the very top of the building; and it stopped at the fortieth floor, but the doors didn't open automatically. Everyone continued to pull, and the cab shook as if it were a rocket preparing to launch toward the ground.
Hades! It's too late!
Kim yelled. Everyone brace yourselves! We're...
The elevator launched and sped for the basement, swaying and rattling brutally as if it would fall apart. The group was knocked back from the doors; and they grabbed hold of the railing, hanging on as if it were a runaway horse. Regina stared at Kat and Kim on the other side of the cab, fearing what their death meant to the world; she failed enormously, and the planet would suffer because of it. The numbers at the top of the doors sped by as if they were a light wave rushing from one end to the other.
39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31...
I glance at Kim, wishing she had made some gesture that she had heard me. I don't want things to end between us this way. I have to do something, but all I can do is stand in the corner and wait for the Reaper, wait with deep regret. The elevator increases its nose-dive, and the floors flash by.
28,27,26,25,24,23,22,21,20...
Kim thought about how she had started to make something out of her life. She had found her sister, was on speaking terms with her father, and... and there was Brian. The only thing left to do was to find who had killed her mother, but as the basement level neared, those thoughts turned to how painful this type of death would be. They would be crushed by the impact and by the weight of the elevator following after them. The numbers above the doors blurred together and formed one long number that connected to their rising destiny. Nothing would save them now.
1716151413121009080706...
Everyone in the cab screamed. Kat couldn't think; she couldn't see beyond the moment or look to the past with regret; all she could think about was how terrified she was. She faced death again. Would it take her life this time? Would she...
0504030201...
Chapter Two
Going Down
They hit the basement level and kept going; faster and faster they descended, but they didn't hit bottom. The elevator slowed as everyone held on to the railing with white knuckles. No more numbers lit up, and the cab went black as a few seconds passed; and when the lights came back on, the group had unknowingly gathered close to Brian and were all holding hands. Regina was to his right and Kat then Kim to his left.
Kat kept her grip on Brian and Kim's hands, still expecting at any moment to crash into the ground as she yelled, Why aren't we dead?
Her fear lessened with each second that passed without ground impact.
My head's floating like an inner tube on a calm river, and I go a little crazy as I tell Kat my insane thoughts.
Who says we aren't?
Brian asked as he glanced around. Maybe we are dead–
He lifted his hands and Kat and Regina's arms followed. –and our souls are lifting up into the arms of the gods.
Regina yanked her arm down, still holding his hand as Brian lowered his other arm.
Kat straightened from leaning against Brian as the elevator seemed to slow even more. We're still going down. We're lifting no where, and I don't feel dead.
Oh...
Brian looked at her hand and wished it was Kim's that he was holding. I guess the underworld is down.
I feel a little ridiculous again, but I feel even worse as Kim yells at me.
For Ares' sake! We're not dead! But why aren't we?
She glanced around at everyone. And why are we holding hands?!
She lifted her arm and shook herself free of Kat. Do you all need to be mollycoddled?
Kat pouted a bit. I don't know why you're yelling; you grabbed my hand.
Kim folded her arms. Did not.
Did so.
Kat released Brian and went and stood by the doors. Why are you always yelling at me?
Do you have proof I grabbed your hand?
Kim questioned. Do you?
I feel a little better as the two women argue; I was so sure that we were going to die, but their fighting proves we're still alive. I shouldn't have worried so much, and then I realize that the day's still early, and we haven't gotten out of the elevator yet.
Kat ignored Kim as Brian started to let go of Regina when Regina squeezed his hand and winked at him. He did a double take then went and stood by Kim after rescuing his hand. He glanced back at Regina a couple of times; and Regina giggled to herself, releasing some of the fear-inducing tension that had built up within her, then she went and stood by Kat.
I'm not sure what just happened. Is Ms. Goodwoman hitting on me? She isn't bad looking for her age, and I have dated a few woman who... I can't believe it! Kim would kill me if she knew what I was thinking; okay, all I have to do is not look guilty, and Kim won't know anything happened. Hades, Kim's looking at me. What do I do? Act cool, act like I'm not thinking of having sex with Ms. Goodwoman.
What's wrong with you?
Kim asked Brian. I know we nearly died, but you're acting a little weird right now.
I ah...
Hades! What do I say? Act cool. Act cool! I don't know what to say when Kim changes the subject by asking everyone.
Is anyone injured? I think we all got pretty beat-up. Anything serious?
I'm fine,
Kat replied.
I'm also fine,
Regina stated as the elevator came to a smooth stop.
Regina, do you know anything about these levels?
Kat asked as she searched the floor for her backpack.
No, I didn't know there were any other floors beyond the basement, so I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Did the, I'm assuming, Life Closer intend to close us by impact or did he or she intend to bring us down here to close us in their own killing field?
Kat said, I guess we're–
The doors opened. –about to find out.
A man in his seventies wearing a butlers outfit stood without with a Chinese Crested by his side; the small hairless dog ran in the cab and barked at everyone. The dog had smooth dark gray skin and white silky fur on its feet, tail, and head. Kat marveled at the dog, how it reminded her of a little Clydesdale horse. She quickly remembered the situation, grabbed her backpack, picked up the dog, and rushed out of the cab as everyone followed in a panic after grabbing their own things; and once they left the cab, the group turned, expecting the elevator to plummet, but nothing happened.
No need to worry,
the older man said. The cyberpunk has no power down here.
At this point, I don't think any of us want to take any chances,
Kat said as she petted the dog in her arms. So if it's all right with you, we'll stay on this side of the elevator.
No need to stand here,
the older man said. Come, we can get some refreshments.
Wait a second!
Kim yelled as everyone started to follow Kat and the older man. We don't know who this guy is! For Ares' sake! For all we know he could be the one who's trying to kill us; I mean the man is living underneath Nexus Apartments when there's supposed to be nothing but dirt and rocks down here. Is everyone so naive or just that desperate to trust the first person who appears to be helpful?
Kat turned to her. He has a dog; he can't be bad.
The list of things I need to teach you is getting longer. Looks like I also need to teach you about stranger-danger. Hades!
Kim glanced around at everyone. Do I have to be the only level headed person among you? Regina, you agree with me right?
I do, but for now I think we should go with Mr... Umm... What was your name?
How rude of me. My name is Benjamin, and there is no need to fear me, Ms. Kimberly Griffin.
How do you know my name?
I know all of your names including Katharine, Ms. Regina Goodwoman, and Dr. Brian Chiron,
Benjamin replied.
For Ares' sake! Doesn't anyone else think this guy's suspicious? How would he know our names unless...
Kat interrupted her, Let's ask him.
She knelt and put the little dog down after it started to wriggle in her arms, and then Kat straightened and asked, How do you know us?
I was put here to protect you,
Benjamin answered. Not really all of you; I was put here to protect Kimberly. You see I work for your father, Mr. Griffin; and he felt that you needed looking after considering he is the Chairman of the Third Branch Office and has many enemies.
He leaned to Kim and whispered, Not to mention the line of work you are in is not the safest.
Kim muttered, Who in this city doesn't know I'm an assassin? Did someone leak it out on the web?
See,
Kat said with a smile. He's on our side.
On our side is sounding pretty good to my ears, and I pounce at the chance to find a way out of dying today.
Brian edged up to Kim and told her, I'm not saying that we should trust this guy or not, but where he's taking us might be safer than where we are right now, so let's go. We don't know how long our free fall into the earth has bought us.
The doctor has a point,
Regina said. Let us go with Benjamin and come up with a new plan to get us to the safehouse you have purchased; as you said before, we don't know who is after us, so we can't blindly run about. Let us take a moment and collect our thoughts.
Kat added, And there's refreshments. Benjamin said we can have refreshments. Do you have cookies?
Of course I have cookies,
Benjamin answered. What kind of host would not have cookies? I have a large assortment from chocolate chip to macadamia.
Have all of you been sniffing the same thing?!
Kim yelled. Because I don't see any of you making any sane decisions right now. I mean is cookies all you can think of right now, Katharine?
No.
Kat moved to her and stood directly in front of Kim. But it might be a nice distraction for me.
She motioned with her head to Brian. I'm a little afraid and...
Kim sighed, realizing Kat wasn't that interested in the cookies, but in keeping Brian safe and maybe distracted from the cloud of mortality dangling over him like a hangman's noose. You don't have to say any more; I understand what you're trying to do, still how can we trust this man?
Let me try to put your mind at ease,
Benjamin said as he removed a cell phone from his breast pocket and dialed a number; and after a few moments, he said, Good afternoon, it's Benjamin. Yes, it has finally happened. No, no one is hurt. Yes of course, here she is.
He handed her the cell phone.
Kim reluctantly took the phone and said, Hello?
Kimberly, this is your father. I can tell by your voice that you're very angry; but please, don't take it out on Benjamin. He's there for your protection, so do as he instructs you and you will stay safe.
When the phone call started, Kat moved over to Regina and whispered, While Kimberly's occupied, can you give me an update on Argus? I would feel a lot better if I knew he was okay.
Ah...
Regina started. I haven't checked on him recently with the current life and death situation, but I imagine he's fine.
I would feel better if I knew for sure; when you get a chance, will you check up on him?
Regina nodded.
Kim continued her conversation with her father. Dad? How long have you been keeping an eye on me? Never mind that...
Mr. Griffin interrupted, Before you ask any questions, I need to know if Stephanie is with you and if she's all right?
No, the Council recalled her.
She is at the Sanctum; I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Have you heard anything from her?
I have, and she is fine. Now answer my question. What is this place?
Kim is so mad, but then again, when isn't she? Though I do remember back at our first meeting she seemed so cool and collected like killing people was in fashion and she was the model of the night. She would look good in a tight