Title: Kaleidoscope
The Kinetic Trilogies Book Two
ISBN: 978-1-62420-267-4
Author: C. M. Zimmer
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 3
TAGLINE
A sinister fallen angel has
been unleashed. A girl with unique abilities holds the power to stop him. Watch
what happens when their worlds collide in this sequel to Kinetic.
BLURB
Kattlynn Matthews' world has been shattered by the death
of her soul mate, Chase Karson, but fallen angel, Lazaro, has every intention
of bringing more chaos to her life. When members of her elite Aurorian team
come up missing, Kattlynn and her unique abilities soon become Lazaro's next
target. But, allowing that to happen may prove to be the ultimate test of
wills. Kattlynn's abilities have strengthened. Couple that with her devastating
loss and Lazaro may not be ready for what she unleashes on him, but that's only
if she can move past her own grief and face the crazy, fallen angel with a God
complex.
EXCERPT
I can taste the fear in the back of
my throat as I rush to hide somewhere. Finding a spot in his closet, I back
into the farthest corner possible, like a mouse, quiet, scared and shaking all
the while, waiting for the predator to pounce. Only this predator wasn't a
pussy cat.
Not even close.
I try to slow my breathing down. It
sounds like thunder rumbling inside, trying to escape. But I can't let it. My heart
is thumping so hard in my chest. It sounds like a million running rabbits' feet
pounding the forest floor. I'm terrified he is going to hear.
The footsteps are growing louder,
closer and then suddenly, they stop.
A voice rings out in the deafening
silence. "Kattlynn…Here, kitty, kitty. I know you're here. Come out, come
out wherever you are." He calls to me, beckoning me to come out and face
him.
An overwhelming feeling of
vulnerability cascades over me as I hear him call my name. For a moment, the silence
is deafening and while it doesn't seem possible, my fear has escalated and my
anxiety is through the roof. Tears are beginning to form at the corners of my
eyes, because I know he has finally come for me. He promised he would.
I fear this is the end of me.
I just thought I would have more
time.
I wasn't meant to be what everyone
thought I was. I carry the soul stone of light inside of me and not in the ring
like everyone believes. But now, feeling the moonstone setting on my finger
just reminds me of becoming a failure.
And I have failed.
The beast pulls me out from the
corner of the closet with a sinister smile on his face. I scream with all the
air I've been holding in and hope that someone, anyone can hear me. There is no
time left. There is no one to rescue me now. The monster pulls my back to his
chest by way of my hair. His left hand is tangled in my long dark locks,
pulling it taunt, while his right arm is flexed above my chest. Without a
moment's hesitation, he plunges his right hand through my flesh, deep into my
heart. My last thought has been etched into oblivion. My last vision before my
death, burned into my retinas.
I gasp that one last breath…
I jolted awake, grasping my chest
while sitting up. In the darkness, I couldn't tell that the wetness I felt was
only sweat as I fumbled for the bedside light. Relief was immediate when I saw
nothing red on my white tank top.
The early rush of visitors who
heard my screams barreled through the bedroom door.
Cruze was immediately by my side,
wrapping me in his arms to settle my racing heart.
My parents, along with his, slowly
exited the room after seeing I was not in any danger. They knew Cruze would
have me settled down and sleeping soundly soon.
Unfortunately, this was a regular
occurrence in the Karson house. Nightmares plagued my sleep as well as Cruze's
little sister, Anabelle’s.
I laid my head against Cruze's
chest while he stroked my damp hair. I reminded myself it was just a dream and
focused on the beating of his heart, which was slowly lulling me back to sleep.
When morning arrived, I slipped out
of Cruze's arms and headed to the shower to wash away the memory of the
nightmare. I closed my eyes and let the water absorb into my soul. I pictured
it cleansing my system. Water was one of the elements I could wield. Each of
the elements had a way of restoring energy inside of me if it was depleted. I
could feel the process working its way through my body.
I felt better after stepping out of
the steamy shower, but the emotional toll was still forefront in my mind. I
dressed quietly in my running gear and grabbed my shoes. I quietly closed the
door behind me after seeing Cruze still sound asleep.
I needed a moment to myself. It was
a great gift to have so much love and support surrounding me, but sometimes it
became too much.
I peered at the reflection in the
mirror by the front door, and then headed out. Everyone who met me always
commented on how extraordinary my eyes were. Not just the violet iris', which
seemed to captivate those who looked me in the eye, but the whole package. The
almond shapes of my eyes were set symmetrically, perfectly in balance with my
nose and mouth. My eyes held compassion and heart. There was no mystery behind
them. I was an open book.
Today though, I noticed my best
feature looked washed out…washed out from the tears shed day in and day out.
There was no sparkle, no humor, no wit and definitely, no happiness. The puffy
skin around my eyes made the dark circles stand out against the pallor of my
skin. I glanced away, telling myself that the miraculous little green tea bags
would be needed by the case to help me at this point.
I walked out the door, ready to
tune everyone and- everything out for some one on one time with myself.
Earbuds in.
Press play.
Run.
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