The Inheritance Games, #2
The Hawthorne Legacy
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 81
Overview
Avery begins to recover enough to return to school, but the fragile sense of safety at Hawthorne House is shattered when Thea uses the hidden passage to lure Avery away. Thea claims Grayson is in danger, but Avery is ambushed and drugged, revealing that Thea acted under coercion because Rebecca has been taken. The chapter turns the investigation into an immediate new kidnapping crisis and shows that Avery is still vulnerable despite heightened security.
Summary
After Avery survives the aftermath of the bombing, days pass until Avery is cleared to return to school. Security remains tight at Hawthorne House, with Oren staying near Avery despite Skye and Ricky being in prison.
On the morning Avery is supposed to resume school, Avery hears movement behind the fireplace passage and assumes Jameson is coming through. Instead, Thea appears, visibly shaken, and asks Avery to come with her quietly because Grayson is supposedly in trouble.
Avery is alarmed because Grayson has been avoiding her since Avery woke from the coma, though Avery has seen Grayson swimming laps at night. Thea’s fear seems genuine enough to worry Avery, so Avery follows Thea into the hidden passage.
Once Avery enters the passage, someone grabs Avery from behind and presses a sweet-smelling damp cloth over Avery’s mouth and nose. As Avery loses consciousness, Thea apologizes and reveals that Thea betrayed Avery because someone has Rebecca.
Who Appears
- Avery GrambsRecovering protagonist; follows Thea into a passage and is ambushed and drugged.
- Thea CalligarisFrightened and coerced; tricks Avery by claiming Grayson is in trouble.
- OrenAvery’s bodyguard; remains stationed nearby but cannot prevent the passageway ambush.
- Unknown assailantGrabs Avery from behind and incapacitates her with a sweet-smelling cloth.