Haymitch scanned the cafeteria and spotted the two boys at a table by themselves. It had gotten around that they were Peacekeepers from District 2, so they were given a wide berth by everyone. Two days had passed and they had accepted their new routines without a complaint. Blaze wiped his hand across his mouth just as Haymitch approached their table.
"Mr. Abernathy!"
"Haymitch, kid, I told you. Haymitch."
"Apologies. Haymitch. It's good to see you. Do you know when Madame Coin will want to speak to us again?"
"Not sure about that kid but I have someone else asking to see you." He jerked his head for them to follow him and Max swung his leg over the bench. Max stood up as well but Blaze shook his head.
"You don't have to come with me, Max. I can find you after."
"I already told you, I'm not leaving you," his friend said firmly. Blaze nodded and turned to follow Haymitch.
The elevator took them even further down and Max stared at the ceiling as they descended.
"How did people live down here for so long?"
"They adapted," Haymitch grunted. "District 13 was made to withstand attack and they learned to conserve their resources and survive underground. They're a proud people. Mind what you say, boy, lest you offend them." Max nodded eagerly and they followed Haymitch out of the elevator.
Blaze knew immediately they were in the hospital wing, as Haymitch turned a corner and knocked on a door.
"Come in," a cheerful voice called out. Haymitch pushed the door open and stood aside for the boys to pass him.
Rosalie was reclined on the bed, her newborn baby cradled in her arms. Blaze's lips curled into a wide smile as her eyes met his.
"Rosie wanted to see you," Haymitch explained. "Thanks to you boys, she delivered a healthy baby girl." Max and Blaze took another step toward the bed and Blaze peered over the blankets. Smiling, Rosalie lowered the swaddle so that he could see a tiny bald head and the most precious little face he'd ever seen.
"She's beautiful, Rosalie," he whispered to her. She smiled, her eyes glassy, as she kissed her baby's head.
"You boys got her here just in time," a sweet voice said behind them. Max spun around and nearly fell back onto the bed. A pretty girl, his own age or even younger, stood there with her hands folded. Her long blonde hair was braided on the side of her head and her eyes were bluer than any he'd ever seen. Her pale skin reminded him of buttermilk and he found himself unable to speak.
"You saved both of them," she continued with a kind smile. Blaze smiled and bowed his head, before turning to Max. He nearly snorted at the look on his friend's face.
"Thank you, Miss," he said, stifling his laughter. "I'm Blaze Bronzeway and this is my mate, Maximus Placus."
"Max," Max coughed out, finding his words. "Just Max."
"Well, you're heroes, Blaze and Just Max." Max released something between a cough and a whimper.
"I- I wouldn't exactly say that, Miss," he stammered. "We… we were just…"
"Carrying out our General's orders," Blaze said softly.
"Yes, Haymitch tells me that you saw Peeta. How is he? Is he alright?"
"Primrose Everdeen is the sister of Peeta's wife, Katniss," Haymitch explained to the boys.
"Miss Primrose," Max bowed low. "Your brother-in-law saved my best friend's life, and many others. I continue to hope for his safety." Prim sighed as she studied her hands.
"Yes. As do we all." Rosalie swallowed and a sound of agreement escaped her throat. She kissed her babe's head again and closed her eyes.
"Peeta's capture has been very hard on all of us," Prim quietly explained. "His family is here and there are many who blame themselves."
"Is his wife here, Miss Primrose? I should very much like to meet her." Prim's lips thinned.
"She is on a rescue mission, actually. To bring Peeta home."
"She's gone to District 2? Really?" Max glanced at Blaze nervously.
"I don't hear much but luckily, Haymitch keeps me informed. The last I heard, they were going to the Capitol."
"But they can't," Max cried out. Haymitch's brow furrowed. Max turned to Haymitch, anxious.
"It's a trap, Haymitch. You must order her to return home!"
"Without her husband?" Prim asked sharply.
"My Uncle Snow won't stop until he destroys her!"
"Your Uncle-?!"
"Yes," he cut them off. "My Uncle. Aurelia and I practically grew up together. It's why my father was so eager for me to become a Peacekeeper."
"You didn't say anything about this, boy," Haymitch snapped. Even Rosalie recoiled, hiding her daughter in her chest. Blaze stepped forward, holding out his hands.
"Please listen," he pleaded. "Max helped with Rosalie as much as I did. We have been best friends since we were little. I trust him implicitly. He doesn't believe as the Loyalists do anymore."
"That's fine and all, but it was hard enough to convince Coin to let him stay in the first place. How do you suppose she's going to react when she finds out there is a Snow amongst us?"
"I'm not a Snow," Max said heatedly. "I'm a Placus. I have never liked my Uncle. He's cruel and malicious. He slaps his daughter and speaks sharply to her. I firmly believe it was he who killed his father." Prim was about to speak when Haymitch held up a hand.
"You are saying you think Caius Snow is responsible for Corialanus Snow's death?"
"Yes. That's what I believe." Haymitch rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"We'll keep this between ourselves," he finally said into the silence. "Prim, don't say anything to anyone. You know what Coin will do if she finds out." Gritting her teeth, Prim nodded. Max bowed his head.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank us just yet. You are going to have to earn our trust, boy. And you can start by giving us details about Snow's home and the surrounding area."
"Anything I can do to help, I'll do," Max said quickly. Prim cleared her throat and excused herself from the room. His shoulders drooped as he turned to his best friend.
"We'll right our wrongs, Max," Blaze assured him, patting his arm. "I promise."
"There are an awful lot of wrongs we have done, Blaze."
"None of our hands are completely clean, boy," Haymitch said, his voice gentler than before. "We're all tainted with blood. But you're both young. You have time to make things right." Both Blaze and Max nodded.
"We'll leave you to rest, Rosalie," Haymitch squeezed her hand and she nodded. Blaze brought her hand to his lips before giving her a last smile and following Haymitch out of the infirmary.
There was a knock at the door and Bing opened it cautiously. He gasped and opened it wider, blinking in surprise.
"Mother. What are you doing here?"
"I-" she glanced into the room and saw April nursing the baby. April shot her a look before turning away and kissing her babe's head.
"I wanted to see my grandson." Bing looked dubious.
"I don't think that's such a good idea. Besides, he's eating."
"Please, Bing. I know I… I wasn't the most cheerful when he was born-"
"Cheerful? Mom, you were downright cold. You hurt April's feelings. You hurt mine! This is your grandchild, Mom. Your first! How could you be so cruel?"
"I'm sorry, Bing. I'm here now and I would very much like to know my grandson." Bing glanced back at his wife and sighed.
"Give me a moment." Margaret nodded and took a step back so that Bing could shut the door. She turned and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes when she heard her daughter-in-law's raised voice. "Frosty bitch" came through the door and she sighed. April was right. She was a frosty bitch and most of all, to her family. If she was ever going to make things right with Peeta, she needed to start with her grandson. Bing was right; this was her first grandchild. Would it be her only?
She shook herself and pressed her forehead to the cool wall. Don't think like that. Her boys were strong and healthy. And both of them would be home soon.
The door opened again and Bing appeared with an armful of blankets. The baby was obviously not happy to be away from his mother's breast and Bing shushed him lovingly.
"Here," he offered the babe to her and she held out her arms. She smiled as the striking blue eyes peered up at her.
"What did you call him?"
"Kisra." She looked up at her son and smiled.
"April agreed to another bread name?"
"I offered to break the tradition, for her. But she insisted. My boy will own the bakery one day. If Peeta doesn't want it, that is."
"Peeta? You want the bakery to go to Peeta?"
"He'll need something to do once he's finished fighting and serving our country," her son pointed out. "And he's the one who loves to bake. I think he'd be perfect at running it." Her eyes became glassy for a moment before she shook her head and tightened her lips.
"Doesn't matter now, does it? It's destroyed, along with our home."
"That doesn't mean we can't rebuild it when we win the war."
"You're so confident, Bing. How do you suppose that girl will win this war?" Bing's brow furrowed.
"She and Peeta will win it together. Just wait and see." She sniffed and fell silent as she stared down at her grandson. Tousled blonde curls, eyes as blue as the sea, and plump little cheeks she could easily squeeze. She rocked him back and forth until his eyes fluttered shut. Her lips curled into a smile as she held her sleeping grandchild.
"Mommy?" Her eyes slowly opened to see two sea jewels twinkling at her. As she woke, she realized it was her son's eyes. She yawned and sat up.
"What's the matter, Peeta?"
"Mommy, I gathered these for you," he held out a handful of wildflowers, looking proud of himself. Margaret bit back her laughter, for they were weeds after all. But her son looked so proud and happy that she kissed his forehead and took the flowers from him.
"Thank you, my sweet. They're lovely. Go on and get ready for breakfast, alright?"
"Yes Mommy," the round-faced boy ran off, giggling, and Margaret lay the wildflowers on her nightstand.
"Stay a little boy, Peeta," she said, her eyes on the flowers. "Do not become my curse. Stay my sweet ball of sunshine."
"Mom?" Margaret blinked up at her son and put her hand to her forehead.
Yes, he had blonde curls and blue eyes but they were not such fine curls and his eyes were not bluer than the ocean. He was her favorite son, it was true, but she could remember a simpler time when she did not see her youngest as a curse. Just as a little boy, who dearly loved his mother. She swallowed and passed the baby back to Bing.
"He's beautiful," she said softly. "Thank you for giving me a moment with him." He nodded, looking bemused. She turned on her heel and briskly walked away from the bunkers. Bing kissed his son's head as he made his way back to his bedroom and back to his wife.
Margaret's breathing was heavy as she walked back to her bunker. She nearly tripped on her own feet and her hand flew out to the wall to steady herself. Tears poured down her cheeks as she hastily wiped them away. She nearly screamed when she looked up, realizing someone was looking back at her.
"What do you want?" her voice came out a deadly whisper.
"To discover more about Peeta's magical background. And how it can help him win this war."
Peeta leaned over the table, studying the many maps and papers Cretus had spread out. He vaguely heard Cretus talking but he still couldn't focus. His mind was racing, like it had been doing for the past 48 hours. Only when he heard Tigris's name did he snap to attention.
"What did you say about Tigris?"
"That's where we are, Peeta. In Tigris's shop. Rebel Headquarters."
"So… where is everyone else?" Cretus and Aurelia traded uneasy looks.
"Many of them are dead or captured. Others returned to their own districts, or escaped to District 13. Finnick Odair, for example. Johanna Mason. Annie Cresta. Victors whose help we could use are far away now."
"Do you have any radio or other means of communication? Can't you contact them somehow?"
"All communication is being listened to or watched," Aurelia said softly. "It was a wonder the rebels were able to get you out of 2. Commander Lyme is on our side but she is being watched by my father and his soldiers."
"We weren't sure when Katniss would actually arrive in 2, and we decided not to risk it. We got you out of there as soon as we could. Of course, we learned it was almost immediately after that the District 13 squad made it to 2." Peeta gaped at the commander. If they hadn't meddled, he could be with Katniss right now.
But they could both be dead. If the Capitol was watching Lyme, he knew they wouldn't have been able to escape unharmed.
"Commander Lyme acted like she didn't know me," he suddenly put two and two together. "She was being careful."
"To be fair, she wasn't sure if you did remember her," Aurelia pointed out. "I ran into you at my father's mansion and you had no idea who I was. I hated that blank expression you had, like they had erased everything about Peeta Mellark. Even when I was propositioning you at my birthday party, you were so sweet and so googly-eyed for Katniss." Cretus cleared his throat but Aurelia gave Peeta a smile. He blushed and glanced back at the papers on the table.
"So… wait. My fight at HQ with the Peacekeepers ended with Lyme's rebels coming in and capturing me. Then I was kidnapped by… more rebels? Which was you?" His head was starting to ache.
"As far as Lyme goes, we don't know who to trust," Cretus explained. "We know Peacekeepers have infiltrated her camp and she doesn't know who is on her side anymore. It was easier to get you out of there rather than wait to see if the rebels who had you were on our side afterall."
"But… Lyme had me. She was the last one to talk to me."
"And her soldiers beat you right after that," Aurelia pointed out. "I don't think rebels, who know you are a rebel spy, would attack you."
"Actually, we can't be sure of that," Cretus sighed. "Which makes things even more difficult. You have been painted as a traitor, on both sides. The Capitol is trying to control you and keep you on their side, while the rebels think you have betrayed Katniss. There is a lot of confusion in the air right now."
"The only "side" I am on right now is Katniss's. And she hates the Capitol, and Snow. So I don't care who captured me or rescued me, I just want to get back to her as soon as possible. So, is there any way for us to contact Katniss now?"
"We haven't heard anything since she left Lyme, which might mean she is on her way back to 13 now. I don't think her squad would let her come to the Capitol." Peeta snorted at the commander's words. He remembered how headstrong his Katniss was. If she wanted to come to the Capitol, then she would be here in a matter of days.
"Does Tigris know I'm here?"
"We told her immediately and she told us to keep you hidden until we can summon the others for a meeting. We weren't sure how long it would take for you to regain your memories but it looks like the serum is working."
"It's strange," Peeta cocked his head. "I can remember what Snow and Antonius told me… how they tried to convince me of things… and I remember my struggle of remembering Katniss, if that makes sense. But I also remember everything from when I was a child. When I was a soldier in training. I think all of my memories have returned."
"Thank heavens. Because there is something we need you to do." Aurelia's smile faded as her face paled.
"No! We agreed, we are not sending him back!"
"I understand, Aurelia, but they will be looking for him," Cretus said gently.
"And how do you know they won't just poison him again? No, absolutely not, there has to be another way."
"Send me… where?" He looked from Aurelia to Cretus and back. Cretus sighed and shook his head.
"We'll discuss that later. Now, since you say you have regained your memories, I have some questions for you. About when you were young."
"Alright," Peeta looked perplexed.
"Do you remember… having any kinds of… special abilities?" Peeta stared.
"Such as…?"
"Anything… special about you?"
"I was a shy, pudgy little kid who got slapped around by my mother. What the hell are you getting at, Cretus?"
"Peeta," Aurelia said, laying her hands on his arm. "Did you ever have any special powers or anything?"
"This again? No. I'm not a damn witch or elf or whatever the hell they are saying."
"According to my Grandfather… you are." Peeta blinked in shock.
"S-sorry?"
"Look, I heard my father talking to my mother one day and later that day, I snuck into his office and did some snooping." Peeta turned to Cretus, his jaw wide.
"She's braver than the rest of us." Cretus grinned and nodded.
"Grandfather spoke of a curse… or a blessing, however you see it. He said you were a magical creature with a protection spell cast upon you. You would be a blessing to your district but a curse to the Capitol. It's why my father has not killed you. He is, like the rest of my family, quite superstitious and believes something bad will happen to the person who takes you away from this world." Peeta laughed but there was no humor to it. He stared at Aurelia, then at Cretus, waiting for either of them to smile or admit they were joking.
But there was no humor, only seriousness, in their eyes.
"No way," he finally said.
"I didn't believe it either but I found Grandfather's notes." She withdrew a folded stack of papers and carefully eased the crinkles out so she could read it aloud.
"Peeta Mellark, youngest son of Bran and Margaret, bound to District 12 until his 16th birthday. First attempt to remove him failed, do not attempt again until 16 years. And then there's this," she pointed and cleared her throat, "I encountered a legitimate witch on this day, when I was taking my leave of District 12. Appearance was hideous to behold, but she pointed at Mellark House and warned me of dark magic stirring in District 12. That the district is protected by a magical force and that I should leave immediately. I called for the woman's arrest but lightning and thunder caught soldiers and me off guard. I asked her of the youngest Mellark boy and the witch told me he was protected. He was bound to District 12 by magic until his 16th birthday. On his birthday, the magic would break and he would be able to leave the district. Since I made… arrangements with... " Aurelia trailed off, her eyes wide. Cretus and Peeta stared and leaned in closer.
"Aurelia? Finish the sentence, please," Cretus said loudly. She cleared her throat and shaking her head, she stuffed the papers into her dress pocket.
"It trails off, as if he were interrupted. But now you can see, Peeta, how my family views you. It's why my father was so determined to hijack you until you lost all sense of who you were."
"That serum is pretty powerful so let's hold off on the IV for awhile. If you feel you are starting to forget, the doctor has left needles to inject the serum into your vein."
"Alright," Peeta nodded. "So, when can we summon this meeting of rebels?"
"Tigris has a radio and we are trying to reach the rebel camps around Panem. We haven't tried District 13 yet." Peeta's eyes widened.
"Well, let's go try it. They don't know me exactly but if Katniss made it there, like you said, then they undoubtedly know of me."
"And perhaps they will know how to contact the squad who came to rescue you." Peeta's heart hammered at the thought of even hearing Katniss's voice. After months of struggling to hold onto any memory of her, his heart seemed to be punishing him for forgetting her. All he could think about was her; his very senses were on overdrive as if they were trying to freeze every detail about her. The way she smelled, the taste of her skin, the sound of her voice, her gentle touch… he craved it all.
"Come on, Peeta. I'll take you downstairs. Aurelia, you should go back home and wait for further instructions. I'll contact you when we have more information." The girl nodded, though as she stood, Peeta could see how uneasy she looked. Like she was going to be sick or something.
"Aurelia? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine...ah, Leo, can we meet you downstairs in a moment? I need to speak with Peeta privately." Cretus nodded and gathered his notes before exiting the room. Peeta watched Aurelia warily.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Peeta, there's… there's something else in Grandfather's notes…that I think you should know." Peeta nodded and she unfolded the papers again. She cast him an apologetic look before she started to read aloud.
"Since I made arrangements with the boy's mother, the boy was supposed to return to the Capitol with us," she glanced up to see him pale and shaking. "We have just received word of the boy's escort's death, may he rest in peace. The boy went back to his house. I have written the boy's mother a letter, instructing her to keep the boy until his 16th birthday. We will return for him then. Will arrange extra security when we return. The boy is a witch. We will delve into mystery when he is older.
In the hand of Corialianus Snow, President of Panem."
Aurelia swallowed heavily and folded it back up. Peeta mouthed wordlessly, his gaze somewhere else.
"Peeta?" She approached him cautiously. He didn't move, didn't speak. She was terrified of that blank look in his eyes again. Had he regressed so quickly?
"Peeta, please, say something."
"I…" his voice was croaky, no. Broken. The expression he wore wasn't blank; it was broken. She could suddenly see the scared little boy who was ripped away from his family.
"Peeta, I'm so sorry." He swallowed, his hands trembling.
"I always knew," he said slowly. "I always knew that my mother hated me… and I never understood why. She called me a curse… said I had cursed her and my family. I don't… I don't remember a soldier taking me away that young… but I remember them coming before my 16th birthday. They took my brother Rye and me. They threatened to burn the bakery. But I never knew… couldn't have known… that she actually… GAVE me to them." His voice broke and he turned away.
"Oh Peeta," she reached for his hand and squeezed. "I don't know what this means or if it's even true. Perhaps Grandfather… mistook you for someone else. Perhaps he took the wrong boy."
"No," he snarled, his eyes flashing. "No, I believe she sold me to the Capitol. But it couldn't be for money or anything… I was worthless, as she always yelled at me. Does your Grandfather say what my mother received in return?" She shook her head as she scanned the papers.
"It doesn't say. Perhaps my father knows. I can snoop around some more and-"
"No," he cut her off. "Don't put yourself in danger for me. I don't care. Everyone always called her a witch and I guess it's true." Aurelia took a step back at the rage that was consuming him.
"So she told your Grandfather that I was magical and that's why he wanted to experiment on me. Test my blood. It wasn't enough to sell her son, she had to make sure I would never come back." His fingernails made bloody crescent moons in his palms but he didn't notice.
"I don't think-"
"Please don't speak of this to anyone, Aurelia," he suddenly turned toward her, making her jump. "There's nothing special about my blood except there's a shitload of poison. I'll continue to take injections of the serum and hopefully, that will counteract all of the tracker-jacker venom in my veins. No need to mention anything about magic." She nodded and he forced a smile as he marched past her, his footsteps heavy on the stairs. Aurelia stared at the papers for the longest time before she set them on his bed.
"I don't want to read anymore," she said firmly. "It concerns him and his family, so he should be the one to have these notes." She grabbed her shawl and followed his path downstairs.
