by Kristen Pham
“Then we’ll recruit Throwbacks outside of Seattle Secondary for help,” Harriet says, her voice calm.
“What if Sun accidentally brings in a spy instead of legitimate defectors from Crew’s team?” I continue, the speed of my pacing increasing.
“He’s the sharpest strategic mind in the world,” Harriet says. “Relax, Joan. He won’t make any mistakes.”
“There’re so many variables to consider once we have our team assembled,” Marie says, attempting to distract me. “Should Joan meet with the Darwin of Strand?”
“That one’s easy,” Nic says. “No. We can’t trust anyone at that company. The more interesting question is, who will Crew’s next target be?”
“Maybe his next goal will be to rescue Jo. He must know by now that she’s alive and held by Strand,” I interject, deciding not to fight with Nic yet again about meeting Lexi.
“We also need to consider my dad’s offer,” Justus says. “How are we going to incorporate and direct the army of Throwbacks in his network to initiate some real change in policies? We can’t let Crew and his band of psychos derail us from our primary objective.”
“Our first priority will be to take down Crew’s operation and bring them to justice,” Harriet says. “We must undo the damage we helped create.”
“Which means we’re going into battle. With weapons, with our minds, with every resource we can summon,” I agree.
The metal wheel on the inside of our door spins, and we all freeze. Sun steps through the threshold first, followed by more than a dozen Throwbacks whom I recognize from the Chrysalis.
I’m not surprised to see Cesar. He never struck me as the violent type. Even Elizabeth’s appearance doesn’t shock me. She’s a bitch, but an ethical one. What really makes my jaw drop is seeing how many of our teachers Sun has recruited. It never occurred to me that they were not aligned with Crew, if they even knew about the rebellion. But Lady Cleo, Leo, and Anna look at us with small smiles on their faces.
“It’s about time,” Lady Cleo says. “I was beginning to worry that the only leaders to rise from Seattle Secondary would be madmen. I’m glad to be proven wrong.”
“Well done, Sun,” Harriet says, placing her hand on his shoulder.
He gives her a grave nod. “I am sure of everyone I have brought.”
Nic shows two of his ex-classmates geolocation technology on one of the tablets, and Marie beams at Dennis, who has brought along a backpack I suspect to be filled with stolen goods from the Chrysalis laboratory.
“Hope from the ashes,” Justus says. He’s by my side, as usual, though now he always maintains a few inches of space between us. “What’s next?”
My eyes travel through the crowded room, a billion ideas exploding in my mind all at once.
My gaze stops on Justus as I answer his question.
“We rise and fight.”
THE END
Author Note
Thank you for reading Joan the Made. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and checking out the next book in the Throwbacks series, Joan Undone.
If you’d like to learn more about the Throwbacks series, please check out www.kristenpham.com, where you can sign up for my newsletter and be the first to hear about giveaways, contests, and new releases.
About the Author
Kristen Pham is a YA science fiction and fantasy writer who lives for really great fudge, roller coasters, and exploring new worlds via fiction. She lives in San Diego, California, where she eagerly waits for her kids to turn eleven and receive their invitations to Hogwarts.
If you would like to hear about Kristen’s new releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter on her website. You can also reach her on Twitter and Facebook.
Also by Kristen Pham:
The Conjurors Series
The Society of Imaginary Friends
Knights of Light
Guardians of the Boundary
Edge of Pathos
Acknowledgments
Writing is a labor of love. In my case, that love came from the support and encouragement of my family, who have been my editors, beta readers, and cheerleaders.
I want to thank my dad first. He spent hours hashing through the psychology of my characters and the quirks of my plot line, making sure I never lost sight of the big picture. This book wouldn’t be here today without you.
Mom, your unconditional love has made me who I am, and I know that any other kid who says they have the best mom in the world hasn’t met mine. I love you.
To my sister, Cheryl, who has provided me with brilliant editorial commentary, marketing advice, and endless love and laughter, I am so thankful to have you in my life. You have a brilliant mind and a huge heart that I have relied on my entire life.
To my brothers, Keith and Davey, thank you for your advice and cheerleading. Knowing you have my back means more than I can say.
Tom, you have been a champ about believing in my writing ability and supporting this dream.
My books are so much stronger thanks to my editor, Shelley Holloway, who helped me take my prose to the next level. Glendon Haddix of Streetlight Graphics designed my cover and managed to capture the spirit of this book with more artistry than I could ever dream up.
A big thank-you to my beta readers, who are skilled editors with a keen eye for detail. Ladonna Watkins, Theppong Sae-Low, Melissa Kirshner, and Kathy Schmidt, all of your input has been invaluable.
There are many more friends and fans who have read my stories and provided their encouragement and insight, and each of you has touched my life and writing.
Thank you to everyone who has been at my side supporting me as I pursue this wonderful, crazy dream.
