The walls of my home rose up at my back.
The Roman mob celebrated all around me.
My friends were there to keep me from falling to my knees.
And Cai, with his beautiful eyes full of love, and strength. Sadness too. But no regret. I took his hand and my warrior sisters crowded all around us, and I’d never felt more like I belonged. Elka was weeping openly, one arm wrapped around Ajani, the other around Quint. And he had an arm wrapped around Kallista, who grinned from ear to ear at having finally done something truly exciting. Charon had come down from the stands and stood at my sister’s side—not quite touching her, in the same way as she was not quite touching him. Night and stars and fire and song spun all around my head in a glad and glorious chaos of celebration. We were the eye of a whirlwind.
Tomorrow, we would bury the dead. We would throw open the Ludus Achillea gates. And we would carry on.
Defiant, triumphant, together.
Acknowledgments
CONTINUING FALLON’S ADVENTURES in The Defiant has been a great joy for me as an author—possibly more fun than one person should be allowed to have (especially what with all the mentally carving up friends and foes alike with very sharp weapons . . .).
But, like Fallon at the Ludus Achillea, I most certainly didn’t do it all on my own. In fact, I had my very own war band to accompany on the journey.
As always, the indomitable Jessica Regel, my agent and very own primus pilus—and she’s probably getting tired of me saying this but—she remains a constant source of encouragement, inspiration and enlightenment. Thanks also, once again, to the wonderful crew at Foundry Literary + Media.
Next up, the other two Jessicas in my J-Crew—Jessica Harriton and Jessica Almon. Your editorial excellence, unflagging support, and creative drive amaze me. I am so grateful for you guys, and for Ben Schrank and the rest of the incredible Razorbill crew, for continuing to believe in me and my pack of wild gladiatrices. That same shout-out goes north of the border to Suzanne Sutherland and Jennifer Lambert and all the amazing folks at HarperCollins Canada, who always take such good care of me. Much appreciation also goes out to Elyse Marshall and Maeve O’Regan, my fantastic publicists, for going out into the world and championing this book in so many wonderful ways. And I’m still in deep margarita-debt to Tiffany Liao and Hadley Dyer both, for getting so very behind this series in the first place.
Also, a special thanks goes out this time to Casey Hudecki for helping me brainstorm some of the weapons sequences. This is a woman you want on your side in a gladiatorial smackdown. Trust me.
Love and gratitude, always, to my family, especially my mom and brother.
All the battle hugs I can give to my readers and fans. In person and online, you guys are so ferociously cool, you never cease to amaze me.
And finally, most of all, to John. You told me to set things on fire and you weren’t wrong. You never are.
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Lesley Livingston, The Defiant
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