CHAPTER 12: JAMESON

Jameson chooses a dramatic meeting place for Ian: a medieval crypt he had rented for Nash’s bachelor party. Avery comes with Jameson, makes clear that Jameson told her everything, and joins the questioning as Ian begins explaining Vantage.

Ian says Vantage is a not-quite-castle on an isthmus in Scotland and the true home of his mother’s family. Ian explains that, while drunk, he lost the deed to Vantage in a card game at the Devil’s Mercy, and the deed now belongs to the club’s mysterious Proprietor.

Ian describes the Proprietor as a nameless figure who gives up family ties, marriage, children, and his birth name when taking control of the Devil’s Mercy. Jameson and Avery learn they cannot directly approach the Proprietor for membership; instead, one of the Proprietor’s emissaries must notice and invite them.

Ian then reveals the larger goal: after gaining membership, Jameson must attract the Proprietor’s personal attention and earn an invitation to the club’s annual high-stakes Game. The Game changes form each year and may be mental, physical, a race, or even a hunt. Whoever wins may claim any prize the house has won in the previous year, including Vantage, though Ian warns others may want it too.

Jameson breaks down the near-impossible task: get invited into the secretive Devil’s Mercy, persuade its leader to invite him to the even more exclusive Game, and win. When Avery asks whether Americans or teenagers are admitted, Ian says membership is historically limited to the highest ranks of British society, which leads Jameson to realize the club would not be interested in him alone.

Jameson recognizes that Ian always intended Avery to be Jameson’s way in because Avery is famous, rich, powerful, and connected. Jameson refuses to use Avery, but Avery insists they are doing this together. Jameson accepts that they can draw attention the Devil’s Mercy does not want, then warns Ian that Ian played him once and will not do it again.