"His clients were…women?" I proposed bashfully, trying to piece together the knowledge I had only acquired.
"And sometimes men," President Snow asserted flashing a disturbing smile in my direction. "Its incredible how much of a fortune can be made in the sale of a fourteen year old boy who has just won the Games."
I remember now. Finnick O'Dair was only fourteen when he won the 64th Hunger Games. He wasn't much to contend with at the start of the Games, but towards the end he received a Trident from one of his sponsors, which is when he went completely ballistic and slaughtered the remaining few tributes. They must have begun auctioning him off to the Capitol immediately after he had won. And kept him in the trade for the past ten years. That's why he was with all of those women from the Capitol. All of a sudden it dawned on me that the only thing stopping me from a similar fate was my marriage to Peeta.
President Snow's beefy jaws spread into an unsettling leer as he continued.
"I daresay a female Victor would amass a higher value in that market, don't you agree?"
At that moment I realized what he was implying. My jaw tightened and my eyebrows furrowed in agitation.
"Especially one as innocent as you, Katniss," Snow dug further in his ridicule. "I'm sure there are several Capitol patrons that would be willing to pay a substantial price for you."
My face flushed. "I would rather die." I asserted through clenched teeth.
"Of course, you would," Snow agreed with a cordial smile. "Unfortunately, that's not an option. However, that can be arranged for your family members. This year's Quarter Quell will be particularly interesting. I am of the opinion that if we coordinate it so that only relatives of the previous years' Victors can participate, it will be absolutely delightful."
My mother's far too old to compete anymore. I can only see this proposition for what it really is. A direct attack on Prim.
"Leave my sister out of this," I blurted out furiously, narrowing my eyes.
"This year, I'm afraid you won't be eligible to stand in for her, Katniss," Snow said with an artificial look of concern plastered on his face. "Although you might be able to mentor her—show her the ropes, so to speak."
Never. I would never train my sister to go through everything I had to go through.
All of a sudden, I heard a scornful chuckling noise escape from behind my chair. The Peacekeeper was still standing guard by the fireplace. I had forgotten he was there. I didn't even know Peacekeepers were allowed to laugh.