A LINE IN THE SAND HAD BEEN DRAWN. Perhaps it was when Soma smacked away Coriolanus' hand, or when she took it first in the shadows behind the party. Either way, a new thickness of frost had grown between them. And while they grew further apart, the world forced them closer together. 

"I thought it suitable," Strabo Plinth said magnanimously, flourishing his hand at the elegant brownstone that loomed over them. 

"Thought what suitable?" Soma said blankly, staring at the building. 

"A home," Strabo said. "Come now, Soma, don't be silly. You and Coriolanus will be wanting space of your own." 

"Father, we aren't yet married--" 

"But you will be. Your mother and I have been speaking, and we think the wedding should be set before the Games." 

Soma had to count to three before speaking. She knew her mother had not been involved in that conversation in the slightest. 

"That's a month away." 

"Well, you thought it fitting to flaunt your tribute so early. I think a wedding is not half outrageous," Strabo said coldly. 

Mags Flanagan had made a stir among the high Capitol society. With her tumbling waterfall of red hair, strong chin, and pleasant personality, Mags had become something of a darling. Just as Soma had planned. The world and its working cogs turned so smoothly, people forgot she was the one who greased the wheels. 

It was Soma who helped Decimus with his schoolwork, suggesting that they entice people into volunteering, raise the stakes of the game for everyone. And from that seed bloomed the tesserae, the sacks of grain given to those who put their name into the cups. It was Soma who had sent the letter, writing to Mags, telling her of the new prize being offered to Victors: food for a lifetime, and a house in the newly established Victor's Village. And it was Soma who knew exactly how Coriolanus' brain worked, knew exactly the fear she could play on. And knew exactly how he would react. 

He thought he was preventing a war, forcing her to work for him. He thought that he could bind her allegiance with money and power and fear. 

He thought wrong. 

And, just as Soma predicted, her plan was falling into place. Mags was beloved, which was true wherever she went. The people of Panem would root for her, fall in love with her, and their victory would be secure. 

The thing is, Soma mused as she unpacked her wardrobe, Coriolanus would never understand people's hearts. He could pull strings all he wanted, but Soma held shears made of warmth, poised to snip those cold wires. 

She turned to Coriolanus, who was folding crisp white shirts into a drawer. She studied him, eyes tracking his every move. 

He made herself forget. Forget her dignity, in pillow-fights and giggles. Forget her pride, in shadowy waltzes and beating hearts. Forget her cunning, in his hidden smiles and those soft moments of letting down his guard. Forget her brother, cold, blue in the face, with a broken neck and tears dripping down his cheeks. 

Her temper flared hot, eyes burning with blinding hate. Good. Stoke rage, feed wrath. She couldn't let that ember die. 

He turned, noticed her staring. "Bored?" 

Soma felt her spine lock into place, her chin rising. "I'm fine." 

Except her hands were shaking, and her stomach wanted to hurl itself onto the fine gossamer gown she held. She dropped it, letting it sink to the floor in ribbons of red. She had forgotten Sejanus. She had let the snake into her sheets. And there he stood, smiling at her, like some goddamn lover. 

She had done this. She could hear Sejanus choking on the rope. 

Trembling, Soma turned, and fled the room. 

SEJANUS TUCKED HIMSELF AS FIRMLY AS POSSIBLE into the roots of the tree, hidden. A Plinth doesn't hide, he told himself, but his body shivered. Golden leaves showered down around him, and spun-gold sunshine drifted through the air, but nothing made him feel better. 

He felt cold. 

He knew why they hated him. After all, he was District, and he couldn't pretend otherwise. He'd tried, and he just felt like he was strangling himself. And he wasn't good at being cunning, or laughing at the right jokes, and he always felt blubbery and slow when he was around them. 

He hated himself for it. Slow, thick, stupid Sejanus who was soft the way rotting logs and maggot's bellies were soft. And yet he couldn't help it. 

Leaves crunched nearby, and Sejanus felt his face burn. Already they thought him pathetic, and now they would think him weak. His father would be furious. 

"Janus? Is that you?" 

Soma rounded the tree, her eyes widened. She hiked up her skirts and plopped down next to him, studying him. "What happened this time?" 

He smeared at his hot eyes, turning away from her. "Nothing." 

"Really, Sejanus, you're a terrible liar." 

"So I've been told." 

"C'mon, stop moping like a kicked dog. What happened?" 

He grimaced at her. He never liked her weird similes, they were always too violent. Soma had a dramatic flair. "It's just the others again, okay? They're so..." 

"Cliquey?" 

"Heartless. They think death is a game, and they think slaughter is a good time. What kind of people laugh at other kids beating each other to death?" 

"They don't laugh, Janus," Soma said softly. "They're just distracting themselves." 

"With murder?" he said in horror. 

"With power," she corrected. "People are obsessed with power. I'm not saying you need to become that, too, but if you want to fit in you need to find a way to put your heart aside." 

"I can't do that." 

"Sejanus, it's not like you actually think we should kill other kids--" 

"Of course not! But I'm not going to give them my homework about the benefits of on-screen violence and act like everything's fine! I can't live like that!" he exploded. 

Soma put her hands up to her brother, carefully, like taming a wild lion. "Sejanus. I know. I get it. And I know it must be a million times harder for you. But we need you. Anything anyone thinks of us is because of you and Dad." 

"No, Soma. I'm not going to pretend. There's a line, and it divides monsters from men. I'm not crossing it. Not even to make everyone a little more comfortable," he scathed, slapping her hand away. 

She narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing. 

Fine, Soma studied her brother in a new light. Fine, Sejanus. You can be the man. 

I'll be the monster. 

author's note!

this is the last of the chapters that will be released this year! i'm taking a short break for holidays and school and my other fics. 

what will be updated is the q+a! 

you guys can ask your questions below in the comments. anything from personal details, opinions, wishes, aspirations, etc. can be asked! i probably won't get to all of them, but i will tag the people who ask them. perhaps we can do a part two! 

and for those of you who wanted an AU chapter, don't worry. i think we can arrange something :) maybe if the book gets to 1M i'll release part two AND the AU! 

anyway, comment your q+a questions here! 

thank you for reading, as always, and have a good holiday!