The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 36: GRAYSON
Overview
Grayson confronts Eve’s spy and tries to detach himself emotionally from Eve’s betrayal. The encounter confirms that the people around Vincent Blake remain dangerous and controlled, but it also reveals a new twist: Grayson was not the person Eve sent the spy to Phoenix to watch.
Summary
After learning that Eve has someone following him, Grayson confronts the dark-eyed boy tailing him. Grayson suppresses any emotional reaction to Eve’s name, reminding himself that Eve betrayed him by using him to reach Vincent Blake’s power and fortune.
Grayson studies the spy and recognizes the danger implied by anyone connected to Vincent Blake. He tests the boy with neutral, probing questions, trying to learn whether the spy acts purely on Eve’s orders and whether the spy will report that Grayson spotted him.
The spy gives little away. The boy remains unnervingly still, refuses to be intimidated, and pushes back against Grayson’s attempts to control the exchange. Grayson states that Eve made her choice and is now nothing to him.
As the spy leaves, the boy undercuts Grayson’s assumption. The spy says Eve did not send him to Phoenix to watch Grayson, revealing that Grayson may not be the true target of Eve’s surveillance.
Who Appears
- Grayson HawthorneConfronts Eve’s spy while suppressing anger over Eve’s betrayal.
- EveAbsent but central; her surveillance order drives the confrontation.
- Eve’s spyUnflappable dark-eyed follower who reveals Grayson is not the target.
- Vincent BlakeMentioned as Eve’s dangerous great-grandfather and source of power.