It'd been a long night. The district 4 victors had anxiously sat in the living room waiting for a knock on the door. The knock that would reveal what punishment awaited Taiya. It didn't come that night.

It didn't come the next day either. But on the second morning, there was a knock at the door.

All three heads turned to look at the door.

"You two stay here, out of sight," Tyler instructed as he stood up and made his way to the door.

Finnick and Taiya glanced at each other before leaping up and pressing themselves against the wall, trying their best to hear the conversation.

"Is Taiya Ambersnow present?" a Peacekeeper asked.

"She's asleep. Can I take a message?" Tyler responded curtly.

"Ensure she gets this. Her presence is required."

"You have a good day," Tyler said, quickly closing the door in the Peacekeeper's face before hurrying back.

"What is it?" Finnick immediately asked.

"It's in an envelope," Tyler said quietly.

Taiya snatched it out of his hands and ripped it open. "Dear Miss Ambersnow, you are cordially invited to a game makers luncheon in the Presidential Palace today. Please arrive at midday. Warmest regards, President Snow," she read before immediately looking up at Finnick.

"Well if it's a luncheon, at least there will be people. As long as you don't end up alone with him you should be ok," Tyler muttered.

"Having people around doesn't make you safe from Snow," Taiya breathed.

Tyler looked between the couple. Obviously, they both knew something he didn't. "What do you two know?" he asked.

Taiya sighed. "Drowning old Gamemakers in their bathtub isn't Snow's only assassination method."


She sprinted up the Presidential steps when she saw him waiting outside. Seneca. She hadn't heard from him. She'd assumed he was dead. But there he was. Standing outside the mansion waiting for her.

"You're ok," she whispered as she grabbed his arms.

Seneca nodded. "He said he was disappointed. But he appreciated how entertaining the Games were. I think I'm ok."

All Taiya could do was give him a small smile. She didn't even have to hear Snow say the words to know he was being disingenuous. Seneca was not in the clear.

"I was told you were coming today," he smiled as he held out his elbow for her to take. "I couldn't wait to tell you."

She knew in her heart Seneca was not long for this world. But he believed he was safe. The last thing she wanted to do was make him fearful. It was the only comfort she could truly offer him.

"I'm so glad he liked the Games," she smiled.

"I'm already thinking of ways to make it better next year. It'll be the quarter quell so I'll have to make it spectacular. I was thinking of multiple environments in one arena. It be a big creation but it would be worthy of a quarter quell I think."

"I trust whatever you come up with will be perfect," she assured before they stepped into the dining room.

Seneca went to enter but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "What is it?" he asked confusedly.

Lie. Comfort him. "I just… I feel like I haven't been honest with you."

"How so?" he asked with a small smile.

"Can you be honest with me?" she asked and he nodded. "Do you still love me?"

"Of course I do, you're my friend."

"Sen… are you in love with me?"

Seneca bit his lip as he looked away briefly. "Yes," he answered quietly. "I think I always will be. But I'm not interfering. I swore that to you. How have you not been honest though?"

"I told you I didn't love you. That wasn't completely true," she said and he tilted his head. She had to sell this. It could be the last thing in his life that would make him happy. "If I met you before I dated Finnick. It would've been you. Sometimes when I fight with him I just think that… maybe I could've been happier." False. She and Finnick didn't fight. They'd bicker like children, but it was an enjoyable part of their relationship. He didn't need to know that.

"With me?" he asked in shock and she nodded. "I had no idea you felt this way," he breathed.

"I just thought you should know. Just in case we get separated."

"You're in love with me?" he asked. She couldn't bring herself to say the words knowing they were false. "I am," was all she could force herself to say. He let out a breathy laugh.

"Oh my god. All these years I just… I was resigned to watching from the sidelines. I never imagined… We should talk about this after."

"We should," she nodded. She looked him in the eyes before she pulled him in for a hug. She held him tight. She did love him in a way. Not in the way he would have wanted. But she did love him. She was going to lose a good friend. "We should go in. They'll be waiting for us," she whispered as she pulled away.

"After," he promised, taking her hand and walking into the dining room.

The moment they stepped in, she felt it. She could feel those eyes staring at her. She didn't even need to look over at him. She could feel the ice radiating towards her and Seneca.

"How wonderful," President Snow spoke up from the head of the table. "Our head Gamemaker and Miss Ambersnow have arrived. Please, have a seat," he instructed.

Taiya relented and looked over at him. No words were needed. His eyes conveyed his message perfectly. They weren't free.

She broke the stare and glanced over at Seneca, giving him a small smile before they took their seats. Seneca sat at the opposite end of the table from the President. Both men were sitting at the heads of the table. All the other Gamemakers around quickly took seats along the table. Plutarch rushed to take the seat directly opposite Taiya.

She looked into his eyes and knew he was aware. He was one of the few that understood the simmering tension. The others were oblivious. She had never spoken much to Plutarch over the years. But whenever they did exchange glances, there always seemed to be some underlying message.

"A toast before we begin," Snow raised his champagne flute.

Taiya immediately sat up straight. Finnick's secret. The biggest one he'd obtained. So valuable and so dangerous. But she still had to act so she raised hers up in sync with everyone else.

"To the revolutionary Gamemaker, Seneca Crane. The 74th Games produced a result we have never seen before. A record-breaking achievement," he falsely congratulated, his short speech laced with undertones.

"Cheers," the Gamemakers all agreed before they took a sip.

Taiya let out a giggle before she leant over to Seneca, grabbing his arm that was holding the drink flirtatiously. "Do not drink anything," she whispered her warning. She slowly slid her hand up his arm to rest on his shoulder before she placed a quick kiss on his cheek and leaned back in her seat. What she used as a warning, would have played off to the others as no more than an in-love couple flirting.

Seneca's smile only faltered for a moment before he lifted his arm and pretended to drink before lowering it.

She caught Plutarch's eye again and he gave her a small smile. He seemed to have developed a good read of her emotions over the years. She often caught him studying her. She put it down to a fascination with victors. But perhaps he knew more than she thought.


"Mr Crane," President Snow spoke up as people started leaving. "I have one last piece of planning that needs to be done for the Crowning Ceremony tonight. Mr Flickerman would like a summary of the Games direct from the Head Gamemaker."

"I'm more than happy to write something Mr President," Seneca nodded obediently. "I can do it as soon as I get home."

"Nonsense," Snow dismissed. "You can use my office down the hall to write something. That way the rest of your day is free." Seneca smiled before nodding. He was oblivious. "Show him the way," he ordered the Peacekeepers. "Miss Ambersnow will meet you outside once you finish."

"I'll see you soon," Seneca said to her, kissing her on the cheek before leaving with the Peacekeepers. She couldn't say that back. She knew it wasn't true.

Plutarch was the last of the Gamemakers to leave the dining room. Then it would just be her and Snow. He gave her a small smile and touched her arm softly before leaving. As soon as he did, the doors were closed and Taiya jumped.

"You failed," Snow said straight away.

Taiya swallowed as she looked down. All she did was nod in agreeance. She was terrified.

"You have been spared a lot of the usual tasks that I assign victors. I did so out of respect for your father," he said and she immediately looked at him. "Sit," he instructed, pointing out a chair. She slowly made her way towards the chair in front of him. "I did respect your father. He served me well. His death served a purpose, but it was wasteful. I am not above killing. But I don't like waste." She clenched her jaw tight as he spoke. He was speaking about her father like he was a commodity, not a person. "I have decided it is not in my best interest to end your life, my darling Miss Ambersnow," he smiled. "Don't look so surprised. You were given the task to make him love you. You certainly succeeded in that aspect."

"I tried…"

"I have spoken with a Gamemaker who was present during these Games. He is aware of our arrangement. He assured me that you did try. He witnessed you instruct Mr Crane on how to proceed with these Games, but you were dismissed. I am convinced you tried. But I am certain you failed."

"I'm sorry," Taiya apologised quietly.

"I'm not resentful Miss Ambersnow. All is forgiven," Snow smiled. "You will be reassigned," he informed her and she immediately shut her eyes. "Not immediately of course. We will need to wait a while. You are a grieving fiancée after all."

Taiya gasped as she looked up at him. She knew it would happen. But the confirmation stung her heart more than she'd expected.

"My condolences on your imminent loss," he smirked as tears began to fall down her cheek. "The boy brought it upon himself. If the boy had any brains he would have blown the victors from 12 to pieces the moment they pulled out the berries," he sighed. "You're dismissed. I suspect Mr Odair and Mr Silvergaze are anxiously awaiting your return. I'd recommend you don't get yourself into trouble on the way out. Straight home Miss Ambersnow," he said, warning her against looking for Seneca.

"Thank you for the lunch today President Snow. It was most enjoyable," she thanked him before hurrying out.

She raced out of the mansion. She'd never felt more trapped. There was a change in the air. She could feel it. Snow could feel it. The embers were growing.


THE HUNGER GAMES BOOK IS DONEEEEE! Catching Fire coming soon!

Hope you enjoy x