"Ares had a difficult time today. We almost lost him," Michael said, shattering the warm feeling immediately.
"But that's impossible. None of us have even come close to dying this entire time."
Michael nodded slowly, then turned around and paced in front of us. "We don't know why, but they are getting stronger. The reason is not for us to know, but it would behoove us to find out exactly how and why the Phantoms are growing in number."
"But we can't reproduce!" I blurted, and then awkwardly groaned out loud because I had just said that in front of Adonis, the human idea of the perfect man. Fantastic, Athena. Keep talking. Maybe you'll embarrass yourself further.
"While that is very true, Athena, they have been doing just that. The only thing we can think of, is they have started what the Watchers did so long ago."
"No," I said, not believing a word. "You think they are… mating with humans?"
"We think we have proof," Michael said. "A phantom is willing to talk, but he asks specifically for you, Athena, by name. After your father fled, Ares was able to catch this one. We have him in holding. I trust you can use your effectiveness to pry some information from him."
I nodded. "But what does this have to do with Adonis?"
Michael laughed. "Oh, Athena, you should know this by now. Everywhere you go, he goes. If you die… so does he. You are together, never to be parted. That is what a partner of the Seekers does."
I bit my lip. Adonis probably hated being my bodyguard, but looking at him now, I noticed he appeared more worried than offended. The same look of concern I had seen earlier in the day was now on his face.
"I'll leave you then…" Michael said, glancing at Adonis. Angels had an uncanny awareness of everything Seekers thought.
In an instant, Michael was through the doors opposite his desk, and we were alone in the chamber.
Slowly I turned to face Adonis, but he didn't want to speak.
He pulled me into his arms, and for some reason I felt like this time was different. Yet how many times had we embraced or kissed? He willingly gave me his strength, while allowing none for himself. Granted, he didn't fight, so he didn't need it as much as I did. I hated it because it left him somewhat defenseless. He could still kill a human, but if a Phantom snuck up on him, he'd be a sitting duck.
His lips were on mine, crushing them, molding them against his, and then he lifted me in his arms and opened my mouth with his. Being in such complete shock, I had no choice but to kiss him back.
He didn't normally kiss me like this. In fact, I've never been kissed like this.
I tasted the honey of his mouth for the first time. The ecstasy of his tongue as it pushed against mine. His teeth tugged my lower lip, and I honestly prayed he wouldn't put me down. My heart begged him to continue.
Power surged through me like I've never known, and then he stopped, nearly out of breath and suddenly a lot paler than usual. He dropped me to my feet.
"Be careful, Thena." His fingers brushed my nose as he dipped to kiss my forehead.
I was momentarily speechless. Questions burned in my head, but I knew it was not the time or place to talk, even when apparently it was the time and place to kiss. Yup, life was officially weird.
Let's go to the holding cell." Adonis pulled my hand and led me back out into the grand hall.
Most of the Seekers lined the thick walls, pretending they weren't dying with curiosity over why we were the ones being sent to see the Phantom.
Ares had changed and walked toward us, his eyes blazing a purple fire. "I'll lead you to the cell." He winked, giving me the impression his good humor had somewhat returned. It's not every day one of us faces death's door at the hand of another angel. Most of us only fought other Phantoms. I suddenly felt appreciative that Ares was such a strong person. I would probably still be shaking if I had to fight one of the fallen ones. The Watchers were not ones I ever wanted to confront.
I handed my knives and gloves to a waiting Aphrodite; she smiled her usual brilliant smile that made me want to hate her, when in fact she was the sweetest person I knew. Adonis seemed unaffected. Ever since their falling out a couple of years ago, they'd been indifferent toward one another.
Sometimes I wondered if he wouldn't rather be her partner. Then again, he'd probably be dead. She was useless as a warrior, but as an enticer was amazingly good at her job.
"Let's go get this over with." Ares sighed and his boots clicked against the marble floor.
Divine Uprising
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'm so thankful to the amazing editors who worked on this book with me! Laura Heritage, Paula Buckendorf, and Katherine Tate! You guys are AMAZING and always do such an incredible job!
Jill Sava, thank you for saving my life and making sure I NEVER put a book out before you read it and fix it, and then email me and go, um did you mean to use those commas the wrong way? You are awesome.
To my publicist Danielle Sanchez and the rest of the crew at Inkslinger, thank you for always having my back and making sure each release is incredible!
The Rockin' Readers fan group, wow, you guys seriously stepped it up and helped me with this book and didn't laugh when I said, hey I think I'm going to write a vampire novel. Thank you for hanging out with me on a daily basis and helping me with these fun projects!
ALL THE BLOGGERS, ah, you guys, seriously. I can't even express my gratitude for all that you do.
Erica, you're the best agent a girl could ask for!
Nate, thanks for not getting irritated when dinner burns because I'm busy finishing just one more chapter.
And last but not least, I thank God every day that I'm able to do what I love! He's everything.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RACHEL VAN DYKEN is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching "The Bachelor".
She keeps her home in Idaho with her husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers. She loves to hear from readers.
You can connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.
ALSO BY RACHEL VAN DYKEN
Eagle Elite
Elite (Forever Romance)
Elect (Forever Romance)
Entice
Elicit
Bang Bang
Enchant
Enforce
Ember
Elude
The Bet Series
The Bet (Forever Romance)
The Wager (Forever Romance)
The Dare
Seaside Series
Tear
Pull
Shatter
Forever
The Seaside Series Boxed Set
Fall
Strung
Eternal
Seaside Pictures
Capture
Wallflower Trilogy
Waltzing with the Wallflower
Beguiling Bridget
Taming Wilde
Waltzing with the Wallflower Trilogy
London Fairy Tales
Upon a Midnight Dream
Whispered Music
The Wolf's Pursuit
When Ash Falls
Renwick House
The Ugly Duckling Debutante
The Seduction of Sebastian St. James
The Redemption of Lord Rawlings
An Unlikely Alliance
The Devil Duke Takes a Bride
Ruin Series
Ruin
Toxic
Fearless
Ruin Series Boxed Set
Shame
The Consequence Series
The Consequence of Loving Colton
The Consequence of Revenge
Other Titles
The Parting Gift
Compromising Kessen
Savage Winter
Every Girl Does It
www.rachelvandykenauthor.com
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
EPILOGUE
DIVINE UPRISING
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ALSO BY RACHEL VAN DYKEN
The Dark Ones Page 22