Witch Born(94)
She hadn’t realized she’d said it out loud until Mistin answered wryly, “He loved every meal.”
A sad smile worked the corners of Senna’s mouth. “Yes, but he would have especially liked this one.”
Mistin squeezed Senna’s arm. “When all this is over and we’ve defeated Haven and Tarten, we’ll find him and set him free. And I’ll make sure he gets to try each of these dishes. All right?”
Senna stared at her plate, bile rising in her throat. She’d been enjoying herself, while Joshen endured who knew what. She’d even slipped and forgotten to hate Mistin. Use her, just like she used you, she repeated to herself.
Senna gestured toward the woman who’d allowed Mistin to stay. “Who is she?”
Mistin bent closer. “Her name is Fallin. She’s the leader of my order.”
Senna swallowed. “Order?”
“In Caldash, each Discipline has an Order attached to it. Witches can join an Order if their strengths are better suited for it. Mistin pointed to each of the unknown Witches in turn. “Beneath Water are the Strykers—we’re trained in the women’s art of war alongside the Guardians. We can even become Guardians if we choose. Under Plants are the herbalists and physicians. Merchants are under Earth. Under Sunlight are the teachers.”
Senna took another bite of the too-sweet lamb. “So Fallin answers to your Head of Water?”
“No more than the lakes answer to the sea.” Mistin took another bite of her food and went on. “Together, the three groups of leaders form the Triad. The Heads’ collective vote counts as one, the Orders’ vote as another. The Composer’s vote is the third.” She paused. “Like I told you, here we know that a Witch is more than just her song.”
Senna glanced at Fallin. She didn’t doubt there were knives hidden in her clothing. “Is it just the ones with weak songs that join an Order?”
Mistin grimaced.
“I’m sorry,” Senna said, though she wasn’t. “But I need to know.”
A bit of the tension eased from Mistin’s face. “Not always. Fallin is a level five.”
Senna nodded. That was at least as strong as Prenny. “So every Witch is in a Discipline or a specialized Order within that Discipline?”
Mistin nodded. “Yes.”
“And if a Witch doesn’t wish to be part of any of it?”
Mistin’s face went soft with pity. “They won’t let you go, Senna.”
“They can’t keep me here forever.” Though she wanted to shout, she whispered it so softly only Mistin could hear.
Mistin’s reply was just as soft. “After Haven is defeated, there won’t be anywhere else to go. And you’re not the kind of woman to abandon your kind. We need you.”
Senna’s insides hurt. Before she could answer, the conversation suddenly ceased and everyone at the table came to their feet.
Senna looked up as the Composer strode into the room. The woman’s presence made her feel queasy.
Mistin tugged on her arm. “You have to stand,” she whispered.
It galled her to show respect to this woman, not just for what she’d done to Senna, but for what she planned to do to Haven. Glaring at the lamb, she stayed firmly in her chair despite the murmurs of “Composer.”
Shocked silence descended upon the room. Feeling eyes on her, Senna looked up to see everyone, including Ellesh, watching her. But she didn’t stand.
With a sigh, the Composer moved to the brazier and filled mugs from a teapot simmering over the fire. She carefully poured and distributed the cups around the room.
Lastly, she held out a chipped cup to Senna, who didn’t move to take it from the old woman’s outstretched hand.
Mistin shot her a warning look, and the room grew very still.
Ellesh simply set the cup in front of Senna before taking her seat. Everyone sat down.
The Composer blew the steam off the top of her tea before taking a sip. “I have called this meeting to name my replacement.”
The Heads exchanged uneasy glances. The Guardians surrounding the room shifted their weight. Senna pushed the mug away.
Ellesh didn’t rise to the bait. “Guardians are charged with protecting Witches, Heads are in charge of nature, the Orders with the running of our people. And I” —she took a deep breath— “I am your judge. Our relationship is built on trust and mutual goals. But I have broken that trust.”
She folded her hands across her lap and stared at them. “When Haven cursed Tarten, Millay and I knew our time in hiding was at an end. We sent spies out into the world to learn how they were saved and by whom, as well as how to ensure we won the battle that was coming.”