The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 39: JAMESON
Overview
Jameson and Avery attend the Devil’s Mercy’s brutal bare-knuckle fights, where Rohan confirms Avery’s gambling debt to the club is already settled and shifts his focus to the Game. Jameson observes the matches as a strategist, preparing himself by studying patterns, weaknesses, and openings rather than the violence itself.
Avery chooses to back Jameson rather than turn away, and Jameson publicly challenges the victorious house fighter. The chapter moves Jameson from observer to participant, raising the stakes of his attempt to win Vantage and navigate Rohan’s dangerous world.
Summary
At the Devil’s Mercy, Jameson studies the fight ring: a small, old-fashioned platform roped off with fraying cords. When the first fighters enter bare-chested, barefoot, and without gloves, Jameson tells Avery she should not stay to watch.
Rohan appears and counters that Avery should stay and place bets. He reveals that Avery’s required losses at the tables are effectively paid in full, meaning the third night was only insurance and Rohan has already achieved what he wanted. Jameson realizes Rohan’s attention has shifted from the levy and the club’s business to the larger Game.
Rohan announces the rules to the crowded room. Matches have no fixed number of rounds; a round ends when a fighter hits the floor, and the match ends when the downed fighter cannot or will not get up. There are no gloves, rings, or weapons, and the crowd echoes the club’s motto: “No mercy.”
As the fights begin, Jameson ignores the spectacle and analyzes the fighters with strategic focus. Instead of the violence, Jameson watches openings, weaknesses, unused space, timing, and how each fighter compensates. Avery quietly tells Jameson he does not have to do this, but Jameson insists he does, while telling Avery she does not have to watch.
Avery makes clear she is not merely watching: she will be betting on Jameson. After a house fighter wins, Rohan asks whether there is a challenger. Jameson raises his fist, draws the attention of the entire room, and volunteers to enter the ring.
Who Appears
- Jameson HawthorneStudies Devil’s Mercy fighters strategically, accepts the danger, and challenges the winner.
- Avery GrambsStays beside Jameson despite the violence and chooses to wager on him.
- RohanFactotum of the Devil’s Mercy; explains the rules and reveals Avery’s fee is settled.
- House fightersBare-knuckle fighters whose brutal matches show Jameson what he must face.