The Sterling Nightingale ⟷ Finnick Odair/OC

Whether you are mine

Chapter Thirty Three | Whether you are mine

"She dared not make another confession to him. After all, he might not understand; he might not sympathize with her struggles and temptations. His love still dormant might sleep the sleep of death." Emma Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel

At first, Snow is not pleased when Felix barges into his office and interrupts an important meeting with the Head of State. His displeasure vanishes, though, when Felix presents him with news that he has been waiting for, for far too long. The Sterling Nightingale has finally slipped up.

"We discovered it early this morning," Felix informs him once they are alone. He hands the PAAD over to the President, who leans back in his chair and reads the ciphered message calmly. The smile that spreads over his face has Felix puffing out his chest and standing taller.

"...And you're sure that this is from the Nightingale?" Snow questions him, glancing at him over the rim of the PAAD.

Felix pauses. "It's either from the Nightingale, or from one of his followers. Either way, we can use this to track at least one of them down."

Yes, and when one domino falls, the others are sure to fall with it. Snow hums and puts the PAAD down on his desk. His fingers drift over the screen as if he means to pluck the words from it.

"The Charity Gala...it's a large event. Many important people will be there," Snow muses, staring down at the message. His eyes flicker up to Felix's. "I'm sure the Nightingale is banking on the crowds. Don't make a mess of it."

The warning hardly holds weight. Snow is too pleased with this turn of events, and Felix is too confidant that this time will be different. This time, he will not let the thief slip through his fingers. Now when the spy has all but named the time and place for which he will show himself – down the last detail.

The Charity Gala is one of the largest events in the Capitol. Everyone who is anyone will be there. It will be the perfect moment to lay a trap for the spy, and they will not have to wait very long, either. The gala is only a few days away.

"I won't let you down this time, Mr. President," Felix says with no small amount of determination. He glances down at the PAAD, and the message that blazes across it, and smirks, "In fact, I think I'll get one of our confidantes to assist us. Odair has been of little help to us so far. I'm sure he'll be at the party as well. Perhaps he'll finally make himself useful."

Snow raises an eyebrow at the dark tone of Felix's voice, and murmurs, "I'll leave it to you. A little manipulation goes a long way. Don't overdo it, Felix."

Felix just chuckles. "It was you who said to keep the Victors on a firm leash," he reminds the President.

The corner of Snow's mouth edges upward. "Indeed," he replies musingly. "Just keep in mind how valuable Mr. Odair is to me. Don't let your...obsession with his new wife get in the way of your plans."

Mention of Silver makes Felix frown. The thought of her with that man makes him more disgusted than he cares to admit, and to think of them as an officially married couple makes him distinctly sick. He pushes the feeling to the side though. Now is not the time to dwell in it.

"Are you really going through with your plans, then?" Felix asks, against his better judgement. He knows better than to question his President, especially on matters concerning the Victors. He doesn't care for this one, though Snow has spent the last week orchestrating it.

Snow hardly bats an eye at him. With a wave of his hand, he says, "If they hadn't pushed the idea forward at the start of the Quell, I wouldn't be forced to follow through with it. Nevermind that, Felix. You have far more important things to concern yourself with." He pauses, and adds, "Bring me the Nightingale."