OK, so this chapter mainly focuses on the tension and building relationship between Ace and Crystal. The next chapter will revolve more around the Games, I promise, and include Harper's POV.
Crystal returned to her suite with aching limbs. She was accustomed to the strenuous exercise after attending the Training Academy back home, but when you were aiming to impress or terrify those around you, the job got so much harder.
"Hurry up and get ready," Velvet ordered in her clipped tone. "We're dining with Two tonight."
Crystal raised her eyebrows quizzically. "What's the occasion?"
"Oh, to honor this year's Career alliance, of course," Velvet replied dismissively, flipping her luscious golden hair.
Crystal didn't question her further and raced into the shower.
Returning to the lounge several minutes later, Crystal grinned and Bronze's jaw dropped.
"Girl, you can make anything and anyone look good," he complimented, rising to his feet.
"Thanks Zo," Crystal replied with a wink. "But you won't be saying that when one of my arrow's pierces your throat."
"Unless one of my spears has skewered you first," Bronze countered, his icy blue eyes alight with humor.
"Chop chop!" Julius cried, looking ridiculous in a frilly, plum-coloured suit. "Time to go!"
Crystal and Bronze entered Two's floor in wide-eyed amazement. Each floor seemed to resemble each district's purpose.
For example, One's floor was glitzy and created with the finest luxuries, whilst Two's was entirely different kinds of stone, with creative architecture that Crystal had never seen before.
Ace strolled into the dining room, dressed in a classy grey suit which gave him a very sophisticated look.
"Evening, handsome," Crystal whispered, claiming the seat beside his, much to Velvet's surprise.
"I thought my floor was beautiful, but now it seems dull with you sat here in comparison," Ace replied smoothly.
"Such a charmer," Crystal giggled, sipping the wine an Avox offered her.
"Are you supposed to be drinking that?" Ace asked, leaning closer.
"Will you grass on me if I say no?" Crystal countered, a smile playing on her lips.
"What are you two whispering about?" Beowulf, Two's mentor, barked.
Ace and Crystal jumped and sprang apart. Beowulf's very presence was intimidating and commanded respect. Crystal learned from her father he'd been named after a fictional hero who'd battled monsters.
"Forgive me," said Crystal coolly. "I forgot my manners. You must be Beowulf. My father spoke of you."
Beowulf paused for a moment, and then grinned broadly. "Ah, you're Crystal Onyx-Platinum. I've been friends with your father for many years. He must be very proud of you."
Crystal beamed with happiness. It delighted her when people spoke of her achievements.
"That's right, sir. Thank you."
Beowulf returned to his conversation with Velvet and Ace glanced at Crystal in surprise.
"I never realized your dad was that famous," he said between mouthfuls of steak.
"Yeah, he's been mentoring for a while. I barely got to see him," Crystal replied sadly, her confidence ebbing away.
"You're lucky," Ace growled. "I could never get away from my father. He was hell-bent on getting me ready for the Games since I was four."
"That must've been pretty tough," Crystal sympathized, comparing Ace's grueling child-hood to her own care-free, fulfilling one.
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Ace chuckled. "After all, everyone's saying I'm the fiercest competitor in this year's Games."
"We'll just have to see about that," Crystal laughed, returning to her meal.
After a delicious starter, the mentors turned to their tributes.
"So, it's time to talk tactics. Obviously, it's been confirmed that you four will be an alliance until the very end this year. Ace is your leader. No questions asked," Beowulf explained sternly. "You're all extremely skilled in at least one weapon, it seems, but you must pay attention to survival skills also. Who knows what the Gamemakers are going to throw you into? You have to learn how to survive."
All the Careers nodded in understanding. Crystal could accept Ace as her leader. He was rather controlling. Crystal mused over whether that was a good thing or a bad one.
Having said his piece, for now, Beowulf delved into his beef stroganoff.
Ace smirked at Crystal. "You hear that? You're my bitch."
"Please, master, go easy on me!" Crystal squealed in mock fear.
"Play your cards right and I'll consider letting you off the hook," Ace snarled menacingly.
Crystal was suddenly glad she chose a crimson, provocative mini-dress.
"As if I'd ever let you lay a finger on me," she snorted, deliberately trying to rile him.
Ace clenched his fork tighter. "Is that a challenge?"
"Honey, life's a challenge, you've just got to have an impressive counter-attack," Crystal giggled.
"Are you really the best archer in One?" Garnet asked sharply, eyes wide with interest.
Crystal turned her attention the girl opposite her, who seemed to be desperately avoiding Bronze's advances. Poor girl. Bronze was sure to wear down her walls soon enough.
"I am," Crystal replied proudly. "It'll serve me well in the Games, I think."
"Yeah, not only can you kill off the weakling, you can get us food," said Garnet bluntly, frowning as Bronze played with a loose strand of her burgundy hair.
"She doesn't seem to like Zo too much," Crystal hissed at Ace, her hazel eyes dancing with amusement.
"Trust me, she does. I can tell. When he talks weapons, she's in another world," Ace chuckled in reply.
"Crystal!" Velvet shrilled. "Tell Beowulf about the training you and Bronze received back home, he needs details."
"Certainly," Crystal replied, preparing to launch into her detailed explanation. She'd already anticipated this question.
As she was about to speak, Ace gripped her knee and a surge of electricity jolted through Crystal's veins.
Her voice faltered.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Julius asked, concerned. "Did you get some food stuck in your throat?"
"No, I'm just fine," said Crystal breathlessly. "As I was saying, I'm not sure about Bronze, as males and females are separated, but I received mainly weaponry lessons and got tips on survival skills from my father. He expected me to-"
Crystal gasped as Ace began to trail his fingers along her thigh. Her face, for the first time in ages, flushed scarlet.
"Continue," said Beowulf impatiently.
"I, uh, please excuse me, I need to visit the bathroom," Crystal stuttered, avoiding Ace's heated gaze.
She gulped and hurriedly raced into Two's main bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Crystal had not prepared for this. Her mother had told her to get the toughest competition on her side, despite having no interest in the Games. Crystal had agreed to try, but she didn't want to win with her looks, she wanted to prove people she was more than just a pretty face.
Crystal's attraction to Ace wasn't forced, it was accidental, and it was deep. Crystal had had many relationships back in District 1, but most of them were too careful and gentlemanly. Ace, however, was brutal, wild and hungry. Crystal found herself spiraling out of control.
No. Definitely not. Crystal would show Panem. She trained all her life for this. Ace was a powerful ally, and together, they could be deadly. But there could be only one victor.
Someone knocked at the door.
Crystal suppressed a groan. No doubt it was Velvet, demanding to know why she was hiding.
Fluffing her already perfect hair, Crystal wrenched the door open and placed a hand on her slender hip.
"Listen, I'm sorry for leaving dinner, but I'm coming straight back-"
She was interrupted by Ace pushing her out of the way and slamming the door behind him.
"No need to apologize Sparkles, I found it quite arousing seeing you all flustered for a change," he teased.
Crystal smirked playfully. "Don't worry; you won't be seeing me like that ever again. In fact, I'm going to make sure I'm seated beside Garnet next time. I'd rather listen to a thousand ways you can kill someone using a knife opposed to being sexually harassed."
"Oh, come on. You loved it," Ace chuckled, invading her personal space.
Crystal threw her arms around his neck and rose on her tip-toes so that their noses were almost touching.
"That I did," she whispered.
They were that close. So close to sealing their fateful bond. But Bronze strode in, then mumbled and apology for barging in, trying to suppress his grin.
"Come on, in case you've forgotten, we have a dinner to attend to," Crystal said brightly, loving how Ace glared after her darkly as she pranced away.
"You're really trying to test my self-control, girl," he growled.
