Coyel’s eyes snapped open. She was silent for a time. “You need to trust me, Senna. Trust me when I tell you there is a time for everything. And this is not yet the time.”
Senna ground her teeth. “But—”
“It’s better this way. Let it go.”
Why didn’t they just tell her? Knowing arguing wouldn’t do her any good, Senna swallowed her questions and fears. They settled heavily in her belly.
Coyel took a deep breath. “Have you chosen your Discipline?”
Senna slumped against the tree. After she’d defeated Espen, the Discipline Heads had honored her by immediately elevating her to an Apprentice. So she hadn’t been forced to choose a discipline as was custom. The problem was, Senna loved them all. “It won’t be Plants,” she finally said, if for no other reason than to keep her distance from Prenny.
Coyel smiled as if guessing Senna’s true motivation, but said diplomatically, “No wish to spend your life in a garden or over a burner?”
Senna didn’t really mind either. “I wouldn’t want to be a healer.” Another of Plant’s specialties. All Witches were required to know healing potions and a few simple procedures, such as stitching a wound or setting a break. But blood always turned Senna’s innards into a quivering mess and made her wish someone else—anyone else—would take over.
“Nor will it be Earth.” She would never willingly sign up for endless days of “communing with the earth” in Drenelle’s company.
Coyel sighed. “So that leaves Water and Sunlight.” She lifted her palm, holding the sunbeams as if they were tangible. “You know, Sunlight is more than just learning politics or controlling the wind. It’s also about power.”
Senna frowned. “Power?”
The Head straightened and suddenly all traces of languidness were gone. She pulled a little pouch out of her dress pocket then untied it and reached inside. Her hands came out clutching a white powder. “Chalk.”
Coyel pinned her with her imperial stare. “Do you know why I hold more sway among the Discipline Heads?”
Senna slowly shook her head. “Only that in a group of four, someone has to hold the sway vote.”
Coyel tossed the powder into the air. Then she sang soft and low. Slowly, the wind stirred. It moved faster and tightened, catching the powder and sweeping it inward until the chalk churned into a shape like a spinning top. Coyel stopped singing. The wind eventually lost interest and moved on. The powder drifted to the ground.
The Head watched it fall. “Sunlight has always been the first among equals because of the nature of our Discipline. We’re leaders, diplomats. But it’s more than that. It’s the natural order of things. The heat from the sun causes the temperature changes that control the wind and sea, which in turn affect the plants and earth.” Coyel dusted the chalk from her hands. “It’s natural for Witches to gravitate toward Disciplines that enhance their talents.”
Shame heated Senna’s cheeks. “Which is why I haven’t chosen one of the other two. I haven’t the stomach for war or the ability to lead anyone.”
Coyel tipped her head to study Senna. “No one has all the qualities they need at the start.” She shrugged. “Power, remember? The power to change things. The power to make decisions. The power to affect how the Witches operate. Sunlight controls the wind. And what does the wind do? It changes things.”
Coyel must know how desperately Senna longed to revolutionize Haven’s structure. And she was obviously using that knowledge to manipulate Senna.
“I believe you should choose Sunlight as your discipline.”
Senna’s chest tightened. “But I’m terrified of big groups of people.” Any more than two and her head emptied of thoughts, her tongue turned to a useless lump of rawhide, and her body broke out in a cold sweat.
Coyel brushed her hands off in dew-coated grass. “Just because you are shy doesn’t mean you’re not a natural-born leader. Because you are. You have the ability to see what needs to be done and the initiative to follow it through.” The Head took a deep breath. “Besides, experience is the mediator of many of our faults. Every few years, I pick one exceptional student to be my Apprentice. Eventually, one of those girls will replace me as Discipline Head.”
Senna went rigid with shock. “But Arianis is your Apprentice. You’ve worked with her for years.” Everyone knew Arianis would someday be the next Head of Sunlight.
Coyel pursed her lips. “I’m meeting with her after we’re done here. Mirrus can finish her training for me.” At the expression on Senna’s face, Coyel pursed her lips. “Arianis is a fine Witch. One of the best. But a Head is always chosen because she’s the strongest in her Discipline. Drenelle has the strongest earth sense. Prenny is the best at potions. Chavis is an unparalleled tactician. The Head of Sunlight has always been the best singer. Your song is stronger than Arianis’.”