Witch Born(53)
Mistin’s face crumpled. “Please,” she whispered. “I’ll try harder. I’ll make the Truth Serum this time. I will.”
Prenny ground her teeth. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”
Mistin blanched. “I don’t have anywhere else to go. My mother and sisters died for being Witches, even though they were just Wastrels. Don’t condemn me to the same fate.”
Prenny’s shoulder’s sagged. She motioned to Reden. “Cut her free.” With his knife, Reden sawed through the vines binding her.
“What am I to do?” Mistin whispered.
The Head stared at her. “Go to your tree for tonight. We’ll come for you in the morning. There’s nothing more I can do for you. I wish there was.”
Mistin rubbed her wrists. Her gaze went to Senna. “What about her? She’s my friend.”
Prenny motioned for Mistin to go. “You don’t need to worry about Senna. I’ll take care of her.”
Mistin’s gaze narrowed, but she didn’t say anything, just hurried back down the path.
“I would save them—save them both—if I could. But it seems that is not meant to be.” Prenny made a noise low in her throat. “You’ll come with me.” She led the Guardians further into the darkness.
Joshen pulled Senna behind him. She followed docilely where he led, her expression dreamy. “Where are you taking us?” Joshen asked.
Prenny glanced back at him. “I could ask you the same thing. I assume you are going with her to Tarten?”
Not Prenny too! Joshen was half convinced every Witch on this island was three-quarters mad. “She is not going to Tarten.”
Prenny snorted in derision. “Has Senna ever let anything stop her once she’s set her mind to it? She’ll go, one way or another. The question is, are you going with her?”
Joshen knew if he left, he’d never be a Guardian again. He pushed the thought aside. “I go where she goes.” And she was not going to Tarten.
Prenny nodded. “Good. She’ll need you. Now come on.”
Reden trotted to catch up with Prenny. “Are you sure you want to risk helping us, Head?”
Prenny worried her bottom lip. “Something’s happening to that girl. Something that’s only happened once before in the long and scattered history of the Witches. And if the Creators trust her, I guess that means we should, too. And if the others won’t…well, the Creator’s decision overrules the Heads.” She met Reden’s gaze. “You know it too, don’t you?”
He nodded, his face tight. “Yes. It’s why I’m going with her.”
Prenny’s face went slack. “But you’re our Leader. The Guardians need you here! We need you here.”
Reden grunted. “I believed her when she said she was trying to save Haven. Do you?”
Prenny slowly nodded. “I do now.”
“Then my place is with her, saving my charges.”
Prenny stepped closer to him. “In Tarten, they call you a traitor. If you leave with Senna tonight, so will Haven.”
Reden took a deep breath. “My loyalty was never to Haven.” He gestured towards Senna. “It has always been to her.”
Prenny’s mouth fell open. “From the beginning?”
He nodded.
Prenny sighed. “You’ve just known it longer than the rest of us, I suppose.”
Joshen’s grip tightened on Senna’s slight hand. He pushed all thoughts of Tarten aside. Right now, his only concern was getting her off the island.
When they reached another cellar, Prenny hauled open the door.
Dank air rushed against Joshen’s face. “What are you doing?”
Prenny moved down the first few steps. “You freed Senna and locked me in here. Understand?”
Joshen gaped at the older woman.
Prenny handed him Senna’s seed belt and satchel. “She can’t steal my potions if I give them to her. See she’s safe. And don’t come back to Haven. Ever.”
Joshen carefully tied the belt around Senna’s waist while she stared off into the trees, swaying to music he couldn’t hear. He tugged her hood over her face and gently tucked her golden hair out of sight. She was too beautiful and innocent to bear such burdens. “I’m sorry,” he said to her.
Reden hefted the thick doors, but hesitated before closing them. “If Senna’s right, you’ll need more Guardians on the island. I’ve recruited men in Corrieth. Use the Truth Serum to make sure they’re loyal and see they’re brought here. More if you can get them.”
Prenny covered her mouth with her hand. “I’ll do what I can.”