With the help of Yolanda Renée – my guest today is Luke
Williams aka Lucifer S Reynard, the antagonist of Memories of Murder. For the
interview, we've traveled to Death Valley, by helicopter. It's night, a chill
is in the air but Renée assures me I'll be glad for the coolness. She's right,
we enter the cave, and the heat is overwhelming. The lower we go into the long
tunnel lit by torches; fear begins to creep up my back.
Chrys: I'm not sure this is a good idea.
Renée: I tried to tell you, but you insisted on an
audience with the Beast. Back out now and you'll regret it!
Shocked, I stop dead.
Chrys: Are you threatening me?
Renée: Me, heavens no, but if you don't go through with
this, after getting his hopes up, after caressing his ego with the mere
suggestion of an interview. Let's just say he doesn't take disappointment well!
Chrys: But I thought he was human, not the real thing,
this isn't what I expected.
Renée: He's convinced he's the real thing; you want to be
the one to tell him otherwise?
Chrys: This is too much; I mean the smell, the heat. Are
we safe? Will we survive?
Renée: We'll, be fine. Just don't touch him. Give him a
curtsey or bow, but don't put your hand out. And remember, when this is over
its Palm Springs and the best spa in the world. I promise.
So, with that pledge in my head, I follow her to the liar
of the Beast.
Lucifer is sitting on a thrown. An elaborate cast iron
chair with what looks like gold and jewels embedded in a crown detailed into
the chair, above his head. The King of the Underworld watches as we approach.
The smell is horrendous, sulfur and the smell of death. I try not to breathe
through my nose. He does not stand, only watches with amusement. I can see it
dancing in his red eyes.
Renée introduces us and I bow, just slightly. He grins
and I see sharply pointed white teeth. He's wearing a red cloak and his golden
horns are, well, magnificent. I was hoping to get a glimpse of the dragon
tattoo that is supposed to cover his entire body, but Renée informed me he'd
also be naked, and it was a sight I would not want in my memory banks.
Chrys: Thank you for meeting me Mr. uh . . . .
Lucifer: Master is fine. I'm told you have some questions
for me. I'm honored. Please sit.
I can't bring myself to call him Master, but take a seat
on the pillows. The ones furthest from him, and Renée sits beside me.
Chrys: Thank you for allowing this interview. I just have
a few questions.
Lucifer: Proceed. What do the people above want to know
about me?
Chrys: Can you share a secret that is not revealed in the
book?
He looks thoughtful for a moment and then smiles.
Lucifer: I can tell you that I met my Angel, long before
that idiot Detective did, even before her dead husband.
Chrys: Really, can you give us some details of the
meeting?
Lucifer: It was at the University of Washington in
Seattle. Sarah was attending an Alice Cooper concert with a group of friends. I
tried to get close, but the man with her wouldn't leave her alone, not for an
instant. I wanted to take her that night, but never found an opportunity and
had to leave town the next day.
I looked at Renée. She nods her head in confirmation.
Chrys: Wow, fantastic. Okay, my next question. What do
people notice first about you?
Lucifer: Whatever I decide that they should.
At first I was confused, and then remembered the details
from the book.
Chrys: I see, because you're a master of disguise, of
course. Sorry, stupid question. Okay how about this, if you could change
anything about your life what would it be?
He didn't hesitate.
Lucifer: My mother would be sitting here with me, on my
right. She trained me and to see her proud of my success, would be what I'd
change!
Chrys: Really, you think . . .
Renée reached out and stopped me. I was getting ready to
point out that living in hell wasn't a success, and she should be here, as she
was also dead, but thought better of it after Renée's warning.
Chrys: Sorry, lost my train of thought. What is the one
physical attribute you're proud of?
Lucifer: I am perfection – I need not choose just one.
I just smile. He is so not perfect, he's creepy,
horrifying actually.
Chrys: What's the worst thing you've ever done, and why?
Lucifer: Everything I do is with purpose – there is no
worst! But the most fun was when I killed the man who murdered my mother. His
torture was long, slow, and delicious. I ate parts of him while he watched.
Oh God. Oh God. Are we really going to get out of this
alive? I start to fidget, looking for a quick escape. I looked at Renée. She
grabs my hand, and squeezes. I regain my composure.
Renee: Go on Chrys, what other questions do you have for
our host?
I take a deep breath and almost pass out, but gather my
senses. Now all I want to do is get this over and run!
Chrys: Mr. I mean, Master …
I freeze, I can't believe I just said that, but swallow
and go on.
Chrys: What are you most afraid of?
He is amused, watching me closely he says loudly in his
deep baritone voice.
Lucifer: I fear nothing!
Chrys: Then, what makes you laugh out loud?
Lucifer: Fear, and sheer terror, but only when viewed in
the eyes of others. Exactly what I saw in your eyes just moments ago.
He laughs, and I want to cover my ears. I smile until my
teeth hurt and pretend to laugh along with him. I want to go home!
When he finally stops the caterwauling, I continue.
Chrys: What is it that you most dislike?
Lucifer: Stupidity!
He stomps his foot.
Lucifer: Unadulterated stupidity, oh and politicians!
Although, they are my favorite torture toys.
He laughs again. Renée and I both pretend to laugh with him. She sends me
a signal to wrap it up. I nod.
Lucifer: Wonderful, I've not laughed since Ester, what
else do you have for me?
Chrys: Tell me, what is your most treasured possession?
Lucifer: I own the world – or I will soon. I possess all.
But a treasure, my angel, my love, my Sarah! One day she will sit here, on my
left.
Chrys: Which living person do you most despise?
He growls, angered by the question.
Lucifer: That simpleton, Detective Steven Quaid – he
tries my patience. He thinks he's won, but you cannot defeat the Beast! One day
soon, he'll learn his place.
He moves toward us, drops his cape to the ground and
stands there fully naked, his hands on his waist, his stance threatening.
Lucifer: Now be gone, I've evil to wrought!
Chrys: Thank you for the interview!
I shout it over my shoulder as we walk fast, very fast, out of the cavern and back into the tunnel. We run back to the helicopter, and
I ask Renée one final question.
Chrys: He's chained, why?
She shakes her head and sighs deeply.
Renee: He thinks he's the devil. Nowhere do I say he is.
His punishment is an eternity in hell, where he's always dreamed of being – a
hell of his own making.
Chrys: Thank God!
That weekend was one of the most frightening and relaxing
of my life; Renée came through on her promise for that spa experience.
Title: Memories of Murder
Author: Yolanda Renée
Series: Detective Quaid Mysteries #2
Genre: Romantic-Thriller
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Released: October 3rd 2013
BLURB:
Decades ago, the seeds were
planted. Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him.
One
final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately
carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre
Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction. A jagged smile rips through
his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body. A
laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome
Lucifer into their fold.
In a
dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun,
groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will
Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice?
Only
two things stand in his way. His greed...
...and
Detective Steven Quaid.
BOOK LINKS:
BIO:
An adventurous spirit took Yolanda Renée to Alaska where
she hiked the Brooks Range, traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and learned to
sleep under the midnight sun.
She claims her vivid imagination as a blessing, a habit,
a hobby, a calling and sometimes a curse.
Renée now resides in Central Pennsylvania with her
husband, two sons, and Boston terrier, Patches.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Thank you Renée for an experience I will never forget!
QUESTION: What did you think of her character interview?
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