Gamble of Wits || Finnick Odair

Chapter 43: Walk the Line

"If it helps, I made the mistake before I joined but what I'm trying to say is that Scarus during his time as my guard wasn't just 'protecting' me."

"No, I'm sure he spent half of his time obsessing over you." Plutarch quipped with a slight smirk. "Though I don't think his obsession with you isn't the reason why Fabius might be on a death sentence."

"He's probably dead." Zephyr quietly commented as Beetee sighed. "I'm just saying."

"He most likely is." Emilia chimed in from the back. Her figure was shrouded in darkness yet her glimmering earrings could be seen from where Sera sat. "I noticed a new addition to the children at the orphanage."

"Paul Harada? I saw him on the list of children while I was going through the admin stuff." Zephyr guessed and Emilia confirmed his suspicion. "Yeah, Fabius is gone."

Plutarch threw his head back and covered his eyes while Beetee looked at Sera in silent desperation. No one said a word and silence fell.

She could only look on, not exactly sure what to do since she wasn't even aware of Consul Harada or whatever the rebels were plotting with him. She could only suspect that Plutarch or Beetee purposely kept her in the dark in fear of her turning him in.

"Well, this isn't on me. I didn't know but if I had a little information I could've gotten more out—could've made a small appeal to the President." She said, sipping her tea though the familiar stuffy feeling of guilt was once again burrowing in her heart. She did pity Consul Harada's young son; he was innocent.

"On what basis." Beetee seemed the most stressed out in the entire group and Sera didn't understand why. "President Snow wouldn't listen to you."

"If you two tell me the whole story, I might be able to add my thoughts to this and tell you how and why the President might have heard me out."

"You're upset," Plutarch stated, uncovering his eyes and looking straight at Sera. His under eyes seemed darker despite the light makeup, she could easily see that he was tired.

"I'm not upset."

"You sure?" Beetee asked, clasping his hands together. "It's understandable if you are upset. We were going to tell you to keep an eye on Consul Harada tonight." He carried on while she absentmindedly hummed under her breath. They didn't trust her or that's what she thought. "Fabius was technically supposed to help me."

"To do what exactly? You work under the Ministry of Technology and Science while he is or was the Head of the Consular Tribune." She said as she rested her head in her hand.

She knew Beetee had his own set of plans separate from hers and Plutarch's. Sometimes, Zephyr would let her know bits and sometimes, she'd try to remember what exactly Beetee was up to.

"The Consuls have some power over legislation." Plutarch reminded Sera who only nodded blankly. "I did tell you that, didn't I?"

"Yes but only on a local level—you were trying to change the law?" Beetee had her interest. She leaned forward, her silvery eyes focused on him and her lips turned up into a small grin. "You know changing the law would've caught President Snow's eyes. I would know."

"So we need to distract him," Plutarch stated and looked at the door. "I do have a plan and I was hoping for your collaboration—have you seen the tributes for this year's games?"

Her hands felt cold as she refused to meet his gaze. She had not seen a single tribute for the games so far that wasn't from her district. She only knew Faline and Celsi. That was only because she was a mentor that year. "I've been a little busy." She cupped the teacup in front of her and absorbed its warmth.