The Inheritance Games Chapter Rewrites

The Art of War-V2

"There is something fundamentally wrong with you," I said.

My fury didn't seem to penetrate. "I told you the day we met that the Hawthorne family was a twisted, broken mess." She stared at the mirror a moment longer. "I never said that I wasn't one, too."

"Yeah... I can see that. You and the boys need therapists. But, let me tell you; you aren't special. I lost my mom two years ago and I was a broken mess but did I act like a little shit? No, I did not. I got myself together and pulled through every day, no matter how crappy it got which is what you lot need to do but especially you. What is with you and Rebecca needing to do what Emily would have done or wanted? What is your obsession with her? She's dead and you're still being manipulated by her. Please, when you go back to the house tonight, pack your bags and be gone in the morning. You've done enough damage and I know you're aware of that but I mean it, stop trying to mess with them and me because I'm not your enemy. If you think you can play dirty, trust me, I can do worse. Don't get testy with me because believe me when I say that I'll make you regret it," I replied moodily. I was done with the games.

Thea turned to face me, looking me up and down and having the audacity to raise an eyebrow. She appeared not in the least threatened or bothered by what I said, rather she seemed intrigued instead and perhaps, a bit amused as she leaned her hip into the counter. It made my eyes roll mentally; I know this was a tactic to just get me upset, to react. "What are you gonna do if I don't play by your rules, Grambs?"

I smirked as I looked back at my reflection and took my time answering as I fiddled with my hair and readjusted my clothes. "Trust me, you don't want to know, Calligaris. You really don't want to know. But if we ever come to that crossroads, let's just say, we'll see what your excuse will be the next time you claim to be a mess when you feel like acting out your vindictiveness and being problematic to everyone else. It'll be your last, I promise you that."

From the corner of my eye, I saw her nodding but couldn't see her expression. I bet it was something cocky, a stupid mischievous smile, and her eyes scheming with dozens of plots. "Whatever you say, Avery, whatever you say. Just know that now that you're here, you're almost certainly never going to be in control. They'll manipulate, double cross, twist you around their finger almost as good as the old man did and he's still controlling them in so many ways they can't fathom. I expect much less for you and you'll likely have to learn to play by their rules, not them by yours. This is Texas, we shoot a different way around here."

"Well lucky for you then, I'm about to turn this whole place upside down," I told her pleasantly. "If you haven't noticed, I can technically bend the world to my will now if I wanted to but I won't because I'm not that kind of person."

"Sure you aren't," her voice was melodic almost. "Not yet, maybe."

"I can guarantee you that much but I am not a person who backs down either or lets others get their way with me by using me. I'll kick your ass if I have to, because if only one star gets to shine, better believe I'll make sure I'm the last one standing on that podium. Now, if you'll excuse me, your mind games are boring me and I'm apparently the big story tonight, so I'll leave you."

I purposefully brushed past her and whispered in her ear, "Watch your back and stay away from me if you know what's good for you. I'm being fair just by telling you this; this is your only warning." Then, I walked to the door, my head held high. Even if she would not give up this round, I had a feeling that I won.