Chapter Text
I flip a small knife between my fingers, my eyes fixed on the target ahead. I take a deep breath, steadying my hand, and release the knife. It barely misses the bullseye, and I clench my jaw, my fists tightening in frustration.
“Getting some last-minute training in?”
My father’s voice cuts through my irritation, and I glance over to see Magnus Lore walking toward me, a small smile tugging at his lips. I roll my eyes, trying to hide the annoyance lingering in my chest.
“Of course,” I reply, making my way over to collect my knives. “I need to be as ready as possible before the Reaping.”
“Well, speaking of the Reaping... it starts in about an hour.”
I spin around so fast that the knives nearly slip from my hands. “What!? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I still have to get changed!” My voice cracks with panic.
Magnus chuckles softly, shaking his head.
“Just go get ready, sweetheart,” he says, motioning toward the house. “I’ll clean up here.”
“Thanks, Dad!” I drop the knives and break into a run, rushing toward the house.
I burst through the front door and sprint straight to my room. I head to the closet and grab my brand-new dress. It’s a stunning dark green, the kind of color that matches the murky green eyes we all share in the Lore family.
I pull it on as quickly as I can, careful not to wrinkle it. Then, I grab my hairbrush and dash to the bathroom I share with my brothers. Thankfully, no one’s using it, so I have the space to myself.
I spend a few moments brushing through my wavy hair, trying to tame it into something that doesn’t look like I just rolled out of bed. Once I’m done with that, I touch up my face with the little makeup I own. When I’m satisfied with how I look, I head out to search for my brothers.
“Jasper! Day! Kol!” I call, walking through the house, scanning the rooms.
“We’re in here, Vin!” comes the familiar deep voice of Jasper from the kitchen.
I pause at the closet to grab my shoes, slipping them on quickly before heading toward the kitchen. I find Jasper combing Kol’s hair while Day, my other younger brother, sits at the dining table, scribbling something on a piece of paper.
“You look great, sis,” Jasper says, flashing me a warm smile as he works on Kol’s hair.
I smile back, a rush of gratitude flooding through me.
Jasper, now nineteen, had stayed behind to help support the family. While he’d gotten the chance to pursue what he wanted, he made sure to look after Kol and Day. I’m glad he’s still around. With all the time I’ve spent training for the Games, I’ve had little time for friends, and having him close makes things feel a little less lonely.
“Thanks, Jazz,” I reply softly, my voice full of sincerity.
Day finishes whatever he was writing and tucks the paper into his pocket. He glances at me, but his gaze quickly drops, his frown barely visible. He’s been acting quieter than usual lately, but I haven’t been able to figure out why. Maybe it has something to do with the Reaping, or maybe it’s because he knows I’ll be entering the Games this year. Either way, it bothers me more than I’m willing to admit.
I open my mouth to ask if something’s
wrong, but Day quickly straightens up and meets my eyes, forcing a smile. I can tell he’s hiding something, but I don’t press.
Kol pouts for a moment, clearly disappointed by the news that his name is unlikely to be drawn, but Jasper quickly sends him off to put on his shoes. Day follows behind him, doing the same.
Jasper turns to me, leaning against the chair where Kol had been sitting. His expression shifts, no longer teasing, but serious. "So, you ready for this?" he asks, his voice steady and unwavering.
I meet his gaze and harden my expression into one of determination. “I’ve been training for years, Jazz. I got this.” My voice is confident, but there’s a flicker beneath the surface. I know what’s at stake. I stand up from my chair, ready to move. “We should find Dad and head to the town square. The Reaping’s in…” I glance at the clock on the wall. “—twenty minutes. We need to leave now if we want to get there on time.”
Jasper nods in agreement, pushing himself up from his chair. We head for the door.
We find Day and Kol finishing up with their shoes. Once everyone’s ready, we step out of the house and head down the street toward the square. On the way, we run into Dad, who joins us silently as we make our way through the district.
When we reach the town square, we split up. Magnus and Jasper head toward the section for those not eligible to be reaped, while Kol, Day, and I walk over to the check-in stations. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
Once we’ve checked in, the three of us move to our designated groups. Kol happily trots off to join the twelve-year-old boys, his excitement clear. Day, however, shuffles over to the fifteen-year-old boys with his head down, a small frown tugging at his lips. I can’t help but notice the way his shoulders slump, but I don’t have time to ask what’s wrong—not yet.
I make my way to the girls’ section, scanning the crowd for the seventeen-year-olds. As I pass, everyone waves and smiles at me, some even wishing me good luck. It’s an awkward mix of recognition and pressure—since I volunteered a few weeks ago, I’ve become a sort of local celebrity. It’s flattering, but it also feels like the weight of the district is on my shoulders. The whispers, the stares—everyone’s watching me now.
I shake off the tension creeping up my spine. I have to be ready. I am ready.
I slip into the crowd of seventeen-year-olds, taking a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. I exchange a few quick “hellos” with the other girls, but I don’t engage in any long conversations.
My eyes flick up to the stage where all the District 2 victors are already seated beside the Mayor and the district’s escort, Lucinda Valenrose.
Lucinda’s dress is eye-catching as always—this year it’s bright yellow, with sharp edges and a stone-like texture. Her hair is dyed pitch-black, styled into extravagant pigtails that defy gravity. She’s practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. Lucinda’s fashion choices have always been eccentric, but that’s part of her charm—or at least, the spectacle she puts on.
I shake myself out of my thoughts just as Mayor Taff begins reading the Treaty of Treason. I barely listen; I’ve heard this speech every year since my first Reaping.
When the Mayor finishes, he lists the names of District 2’s victors, both living and dead. The crowd erupts into applause after each name, pride and reverence in their claps.
As soon as he finishes, Lucinda jumps to her feet, practically vibrating with energy. “Hello, everyone! Happy, happy Hunger Games!” she exclaims, her voice high-pitched and unnatural. “I hope the odds will be in everyone’s favor this year!” She giggles before pausing dramatically. “Now, since we did the girls first last year, let’s start with the boys this year!”
She strides to the bowl filled with the slips bearing every boy’s name and pulls one out with exaggerated care. Unfolding it delicately, she calls out, “Cedric Voss!”
The boy doesn’t even get a chance to step forward before a hand shoots up from the eighteen-year-old boys’ section.
“I volunteer as tribute!”
I turn quickly, my pulse quickening. Slate Michal, the boy I’ve trained with for years, steps forward, wearing a confident smirk as he strides toward the stage. My heart beats faster, and I watch him with a mix of anxiety and admiration. This moment has been his entire life’s preparation, and now he’s here, claiming it.
Once he’s on the stage, Lucinda asks for his name, and he proudly states it. The crowd erupts into applause again, and my heart thuds with the weight of the Reaping.
Lucinda turns to the second bowl. “Time for the girls!” she chirps.
I straighten my back, setting my face into a determined glare. My nerves settle into sharp focus. This is it. I’m ready.
Lucinda digs into the bowl of girls' names and pulls out a slip with dramatic flair “Amelia Fox!” she announces, her voice echoing in the silence.
Before the name even registers, my hand shoots into the air, my voice already ringing out, loud and clear.
“I volunteer as tribute!”