Crystal's eyes glimmered in approval as she admired her reflection. The training jump-suit enhanced her perfect figure.
"Come on, Vanity," Bronze called. "It's time to go!"
Crystal sighed and stormed around her suite furiously, gathering any necessary supplies for the next couple of hours.
Satisfied, she joined Bronze in the foyer.
"Honestly, you'd think you were entering a beauty pageant, not a violent fight to the death," Bronze sniggered.
Crystal smiled and brushed off the remark. "I think you'll find there's more to me than meets the eye."
"I'm counting on it," Bronze replied.
They boarded the grand elevator, and the short journey below opened up into the main entrance.
Crystal strode ahead and entered the gym, a vast yet compact training room stacked full of weapons.
Several other tributes had already arrived, including District 2.
Ace noticed the pair and made his way over with Garnet close behind.
"Had a good night's sleep, beautiful?" he asked Crystal with a grin.
"Splendid," Crystal purred. "I've never known sheets so comfortable. Mind you, it got awfully cold."
"You should talk with the officials about sending you a heater, I wouldn't want you catching hypothermia," Ace teased.
Crystal winked. She liked the way this was going.
"Maybe, but I had other things in mind…"
"OK, stop right there," Garnet complained, a disgusted scowl set across her dainty face.
"Tributes, gather round!" Atala, the head trainer, announced.
After a rather unnecessary and draining lecture, Crystal raced over to the archery section and selected a stunning, silver bow.
She could already feel several eyes watching her, including the Gamemakers from above.
Crystal notched a sharp, deadly arrow and centered herself. Taking aim at the dummy's chest, Crystal drew back and released the string with expert precision.
It pierced the dummy's heart, and Crystal swore she heard anxious murmurs and horrified gulps behind her.
"Impressive, Sparkles," Ace complimented, and Crystal almost jumped at the closeness of his voice.
She turned to face him. "That's nothing. The distance is too near. What I really need is a suicidal tribute," she explained with a grin.
Ace smirked. "I like the way you think. Your district partner's pretty skilled."
The pair looked over to where Bronze was happily skewering some dummies with a spear, his favourite weapon.
"Hmm, he has talent," Crystal agreed.
Ace paused to think. "This alliance is planning out great. My mentor agrees, but he doesn't think raw power will be enough to win us every sponsor."
"Oh?" Crystal asked in surprise. "Then what will?"
"A little flirtation, perhaps," Ace replied, emerald eyes dancing with humor. "You know, to spice things up a little."
"Honey, please," Crystal laughed, although inside she was glowing. "What makes you think I'm that easy?"
Ace winked. "I know a girl who enjoys a bad-boy when I see one."
Crystal smiled then turned to watch Garnet. The girl focused on nothing but her target and released the throwing knife with deadly accuracy, then whirled to launch another few at extra dummies.
"She's good," said Crystal, eyes wide with approval. "I'm impressed."
"Yeah, she's worked really hard for this," Ace replied.
Before Crystal could ask what he meant, the blonde District 4 girl, Harper, approached the archery section.
"I don't want her," Crystal whispered in Ace's ear. "Or her partner. They seem weak."
"I agree," Ace hissed. "And they call themselves Careers. Well, I'd better get practicing and impress you with my extreme sword skills."
Crystal laughed at his arrogance as Ace sauntered over to the sword section. The pathetic tributes that were over there fumbling with the weapon hurriedly departed.
Crystal turned to retrieve her chosen bow to discover it was gone.
With a confused frown, Crystal scanned the room only to see that Harper had had the nerve to take it.
Blood boiling with rage, Crystal stormed over and placed her hands on her hips as Harper struggled to notch an arrow.
"Can I help you?" Harper asked sharply, her chin raised in defiance.
Crystal's eyes flashed dangerously. She couldn't believe the nerve of this girl.
"Of course not, sweetheart. I just came for my bow, so if you'd please," Crystal snarled.
Harper's hands trembled as she gripped the bow tighter.
"It's not yours," she said bravely. "I don't see your name on it."
Crystal sighed, mocking disappointment. Edging closer, she leaned over to hiss in Harper's ear.
"Listen closely, if you hand me my bow without hesitation, I'll let you off. But if you defy me again, I won't be as forgiving. So, how about it? No hard feelings?"
Harper gulped and turned dismissively. "No, I'm using this bow. You have no right to threaten me."
Crystal's frame jolted, and she lurched forward and grabbed a handful of Harper's hair, and pulled.
Harper yelped in pain, but it was soon cut off as Crystal slammed her knee into her face.
Harper collapsed in an agonized heap as Crystal noticed the Peacekeepers rushing over to restrain her.
"Stab her!" Garnet shrieked. "Kill the bitch!"
Before Crystal could invoke further damage, a Peacekeeper hauled her away as Harper was hurried to First Aid.
The commotion soon died down, and after a severe scolding from Atala, Crystal was allowed to continue training.
"That was hot," said Bronze as she joined the other Careers in the dining room.
"You should've mutilated her," said Garnet darkly, stirring her blood-red tomato soup.
"I was planning to," Crystal replied with a smirk. "Don't worry; I'm plotting a special treat for her in the arena."
"You are one feisty woman," Ace chuckled, gazing at Crystal with longing. "I like that. My only regret is that you didn't get to admire my talent."
"Plenty of time for that later," Crystal giggled.
"Are we talking weapons or bedroom antics?" Bronze enquired, nudging Garnet.
Garnet stared at him, completely dazzled.
"Come on, lunch break over," Ace ordered. "We need to show these tributes what we can do."
Crystal smiled slightly. He was hot when he took charge.
.
I regained consciousness to see Linnet pacing beside me, a worried frown distorting his handsome features.
"Linnet?" I croaked weakly. Oh, my aching head. I'd never felt so groggy and frail.
"Harper!" Linnet gasped, rushing to my side and gripping my hand tightly. "How do you feel?"
"Crap," I grumbled. "What happened?"
Although as soon as I asked the question, I remembered. The girl from District 1. Ouch.
"I couldn't get to you in time; I was climbing the wall… Harper, please forgive me," Linnet pleaded.
"Linnet, don't be ridiculous! I'm fine. This is nothing," I explained guiltily. I couldn't help but feel touched by his protectiveness.
Linnet remained silent, gazing at the cold tiles.
"She's something, huh?" I sighed.
"They're going to be a huge threat, Harper," said Linnet gravely. "I was watching them. They're deadly. We need to come up with a plan."
Cautiously, I sat up and threw off the pristine duvet. The First Aid room burned my eyes with its fluorescent white.
"Help me up?" I asked quietly. Linnet gripped my arm and steadied me as I rose to my feet.
There wasn't any serious damage, although my face stung like hell.
Curious, I glanced into the mirror and gasped at what I saw. My lip was swollen and cut, my nose had turned on a strange angle and my right eye was beginning to bruise.
"Ouch," I whimpered, horrified by my appearance.
"Don't worry, you'll be beautiful again soon," Linnet assured me.
My heart began to race at his compliment.
Atala advised me to skip the rest of today's training and rest. Reluctantly, I returned to District 4's floor. My suite had never seemed so inviting.
Dropping down on my bed, I began to invent a strategy. Me and Linnet could do this. We had to.
