Midnight Masquerade (Touched by Midnight - Book 8)
The Excerpt
Kazmir Zanlos’s corner office shimmered with chrome and reflective surfaces, reminding Nick of the man himself, both dazzling the eye, but allowing no hint of the depth behind that polished exterior . . . or the decay. As a boy, he’d thought to wade out into still, clear waters trying to catch a frog only to find himself mired in the deadly quicksand concealed under the deceptively placid illusion. He felt the same way now, only Kaz Zanlos wasn’t sucking at his feet, he was devouring his soul, and like that child stuck in the bog, he wasn’t sure how to extricate himself.
While he waited, Nick glanced about the surroundings that had so impressed him upon his first interview. The obvious wealth, the scent of success, the reflection of everything he desired—for a price he hadn’t known he’d have to pay.
Who was he trying to kid? By the time Zanlos had come to him, he’d already sold his soul for success so who was he to throw stones? If he hadn’t known what Zanlos was from the get-go, it was because he hadn’t wanted to know, still didn’t want to know, even though that truth beat at him like a morning-after headache. He couldn’t condemn Zanlos because they were birds of a feather. Those birds were vultures, circling in search of ripe carrion.
This book was literally born riding the escalator featured on the original front cover. It leads to the underground metro train where my writer friends and I traveled from the conference hotel into the city to shop during afternoon breaks and to hit the theatre – after dark when at its creepiest. The angle was so steep, you couldn’t see the top or the bottom from the other end. The temperature dropped to shiver-inducing chilliness during the ride down. And the prologue came to life during one of those up close and too personal descents when someone dropped their keys. Brrrrr!
Interesting snippet, although I couldn't figure out who Kazmir Zanlos was - sorry ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe very bad guy!
DeleteTough to admit you're just like the one you're trying to avoid becoming.
ReplyDeleteUsually we never see ourselves in others.
DeleteThe tension in this snippet is palpable. And the imagery just draws you into the story. Great snippet. I've been on that escalator in DC that seems like it's going straight down into hell--at least for me as I am very afraid of heights. I do need to read this as I love books set in places I'm familiar with. Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteAnd the cold that comes with that drop . . . brrrrr! Especially when it was in the high '80s outside. Give into the need to read!
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