Entice (Embrace Series #2)

by Jessica Shirvington

Overview

The war between Exiles and Angels is on—and she's wanted by both sides.

The hotly anticipated follow-up to Embrace, Entice ramps up the captivating combination of angel mythology, forbidden romance and intense action. Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden's whole life changed when she discovered she is Grigori – part angel, part human.

Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels. Knowing who to trust is key, but when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something - even her partner, Lincoln.

And now Violet has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori. It isn't easy. Especially when the electricity between her and exile Phoenix ignites, and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever.

The race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles brings them to the cradle of civilization, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

The Embrace Series:

Embrace (Book 1)

Entice (Book 2)

Emblaze (Book 3)

Endless (Book 4)

Empower (Book 5)

Praise for the Embrace Series:

"A delicious romantic triangle." —USA Today

"One of the best YA novels we've seen in a while. Get ready for a confident, kick-butt, well-defined heroine." —RT Book Reviews

"Strong, compelling and wonderfully flawed, Violet is the kind of heroine that will keep readers enthralled and rooting for her until the final page is turned." —Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402271281
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	03/05/2013
Series:	Embrace (Violet Eden Chapters) Series , #2
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	471,649
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.16(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Jessica lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington, and their two young daughters. She previously founded and ran a fine foods distribution company in London, and has been involved in managing the hip destination restaurants Fuel Bistro, Tow Bar, and MG Garage in Sydney.

Read an Excerpt

Prologue

"No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will."

John 10:18

The angel had been ordered to make his choice. It had to be of his own free will. But what they asked of him carried a high price. He would most likely never return. Most likely be destroyed. Or worse.

And no one would ever know the truth.

"You have decided, then," a voice said to him.

I felt each moment as the angel did-the obscured version of time in what had to be an otherworldly place-but could see nothing. It was surreal; no people were visible-just their presence, or maybe auras.

It wasn't a question, what was said. They knew the moment he'd made the decision. They probably knew before him. He could sense them all around, the mighty Seraphim. Supreme knowledge lent them a powerful presence, but it was bitter this day.

"When the first of your tasks is complete, you will move on to the next. You must not reveal yourself or seek companionship with anyone, especially exiles, unless for the purposes of fulfilling your objectives."

"I understand."

"You will spend three years before the day on which you must act arrives. He has his role to play. It is not possible without your actions first."

"I understand."

And he did understand. He had made this decision of his own free will, despite the sacrifice, for he knew it had only been asked of him because he was the perfect choice.

He felt the universe around him, the freedom of unfettered dominion over space and realm, and wondered when he would again feel this, if ever.

"Take a name of the times when you are there. Now go."

And so it was. He made the transition amid images of mobs and anger. To his destiny. To death. The flash of a kiss. All things to come.

A fog cleared around me and my surroundings came into view. I was suddenly in my art studio. Standing by the window was a figure I recognized. The one I suspected was my angel maker.

"What's your name?" I asked, still amazed by the way my words seemed to float through the air in these dreams, as if they had their own physical presence.

"It does not matter. But you may call me Lochmet if you require a title."

"What does that mean?"

"Warrior."

I swallowed, suddenly nervous. The way he said it, with such force and confidence, made him seem so powerful.

"Why did you show me that angel? I don't get it."

"Not yet. But you will. It is but a strand of one existence, from a very long time ago."

"No, please don't...Just tell me."

He turned to face me, his shoulders squared, and I struggled with conflicting urges-one drawing me toward him, the other, to cower away. I was sure he could see it, see right through me, which only made me more vulnerable.

"We all have the capacity to find the will to do what must be done-even when that which we must do terrifies us most. Remember this."

"That's it? That doesn't explain anything. Who was he? I thought it was against angel law to exile to earth. How come the Seraphim asked it of that angel?"

He considered me for another delayed, vacant moment before his head tilted toward a painting beside him. The vision of a sandy beach with a midnight blue sea crashing against rocks seemed to affect him. He stretched his arm out and brushed his fingers lightly across the textured ripples of the oil-painted canvas. For just a moment, the silence between us was almost comfortable.

But when he looked back at me, I knew: he wasn't going to tell me any more about the angel he had shown me.

"Be mindful. A traitor is within your fold," he said.

"Who?"

He shook his head and turned back to the window.

"You must walk your path; leave the footprints as evidence of your journey. I cannot take it...or change it."

His voice held the first hint of emotion-a small, almost undetectable, quiver.

"But you did help me," I started. "Two years ago, in that classroom..." Even in my dream, I felt the sickening memories and the lump in my throat willing me not to go on. "It couldn't have been anyone else. You sent that teacher across the school to intervene."

I swallowed hard, fought to hold onto my train of thought, not detour to that day, to that teacher holding me down while I struggled beneath his heavy weight.

"You interfered," I said, then dropped my head. "Thank you."

His silence was all the confirmation I needed. I looked around the room, unsure what to say next. My paintings surrounded me, but unlike before, they now included those that I had only planned, envisioned. Somehow, this room held the paintings of my imagination.

I shuddered.

From behind me, I heard a roar. The deepest rumble, so strong it reverberated up my legs and into my spine.

"My lion," I whispered.

I spun around in dreamy slow motion. There was nothing there. I turned back to the angel. He was gone. Sprinkles of rain spattered in through the crack in the window.

I stood, waiting.

And then everything around me exploded in a flash of color that settled to nothing. I was nowhere, all alone apart from the rain, startlingly cold, stinging my face with every sharp landing.

Shards of ice.

Cold enough to wake me up.

Editorial Reviews

"Strong, compelling and wonderfully flawed, Violet is the kind of heroine that will keep readers enthralled and rooting for her until the final page is turned . . .This is one emotional thrill ride, filled with passion and suspense, ending with a cliffhanger that will leave readers panting for the next book." - Kirkus Reviews

" Violet remains an engaging, contemporary protagonist whose absorbing narrative interweaves intricate mythology, action suspense, and romantic complexities. Vibrant returning and new characters-including Violet's pal Steph, Grigori-in-training Spencer, and punk goth Zoe-further enliven the narrative, and the tantalizing ending will leave series readers anticipating the follow-up." - Booklist

"If you're into The Vampire Diaries, you'll love this book." - Seventeen.com Book Club

"Fans (like me!) of kick-ass-warrior-chick books like Vampire Academy will embrace this series for the adrenaline-rush/heart-pumping romance combo it provides." - Justine Spark Book Club

"Amazing history, hot romance, twisted suspense and even a character named Phoenix! All packed into a complicated world that leaves Violet unsure who to trust. Unputdownable." - Justine Spark Book Club

"Could I love this series more? Fast paced action, a strong warrior heroine, a forbidden romance. The first book is super romantic, and this one is action packed." - Justine Spark Book Club

From the Publisher

This second installment in the Violet Eden series is fascinating, emotional, and utterly addictive, thanks to Rebecca Macauley’s sympathetic and expertly nuanced performance. Violet has accepted her identity as a Grigori—a part-angel, part-human warrior who is defending humanity from exiled angels. But she hasn’t yet come to terms with a shattering betrayal at the hands of one of her mortal enemies—or her developing, and forbidden, relationship with her partner, Lincoln. And now that the Grigori are in a desperate race to secure the fate of the world, Violet might never get the chance to figure it all out. Macauley’s accents and characterizations are flawless, and her ability to convey the bravery, determination, and desire of this remarkable heroine will leave listeners eager for more. B.E.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2013 - AudioFile