Chapter 300: Choosing Wisely
Oh no she did not. My heart stopped a moment before making me fight for air as it thudded back to motion. I heard a few more gasps from the witches around me as I finally understood what she was saying.
She wanted me to strip my mother of her power. To reduce her to nothing, all so I could keep sitting with the other leaders.
Yeah, that was going to happen.
I'm sure my outrage was written all over my face, but it wasn't long before I felt someone stand beside me and knew I wasn't alone.
Seemed the passive nature of these witches had been pushed as far as it would go.
"This is outrageous." Tallah's voice actually vibrated with anger. "Miriam Hayle has as yet to be tried, let alone proven guilty of anything. To order her stripped of her magic at this juncture is unacceptable."
"Here, here." Violet's tiny body shook with rage. "Never will I sit by and watch another leader be so maligned before she's even had a chance to present her case. This I will not stand for, Council Leader."
Even Irene Bradford spoke up. "My Council member and I will depart this conclave if such a travesty were to be allowed."
The whole room was in uproar then, witches speaking out their upset. Even the Council members looked uncomfortable, not meeting anyone's eyes. Batsheva slowly sat back, shrugging.
"If it is the wish of the majority," she said, "so shall it be."
Odette shuddered as if shaking something off of her shoulders. In that moment I understood completely what her act implied. The night at the hotel, when she'd finally attacked Mom, it felt as though the old woman was being controlled by someone and now I knew exactly who held her puppet strings.
Tests, all these tests. I was sick of it already and the trial hadn't even started.
Well done. Gram's mind hugged me. Now we've seen how far she can push them. There is still enough respect for Miriam this may yet work in our favor. Now, act while you have the upper hand.
Right. Right! I remained on my feet while everyone else sat down, even Odette, though she looked very, very unhappy.
"Council," I said, voice slightly raised, "as acting Hayle Coven leader, I am saddened to see an absence of representation among your number." Fancy speech, right? I was proud of myself. Those two summers of theater camp I insisted Mom let me take were paying off. "It is time a member of the Hayle family take her rightful place at the Council table."
Odette was instantly on her feet. "This is outrageous! How dare she dictate to the Council!"
"Oh, do sit down and be quiet, Odette." Violet's face scrunched up as she smacked the other woman on the arm again. I could very easily love the little leader of the Rhodes Coven. I just wished she'd hit Odette harder. "No one cares what you think."
Benita Santos twitched, but didn't speak. Interesting.
Isn't it? I could practically feel Gram rubbing her physical hands together. Well said, Violet.
Odette sank back to her chair, shock mixed with fury all over her face. Especially when Batsheva didn't back her. I imagined the Dumont leader's bubble was being popped right about then. Though I wondered, as Batsheva turned to me, why she was pissing off the woman she conspired with.
"Very well," she said. "Long have the Hayles not sent a member to Council."
Gram snorted. Been kept out, she means.
"Choose your witch, Sydlynn Hayle. And choose wisely."
Should I be worried she's giving in so easily? I slowly turned, eyes falling on Erica when Gram answered.
Maybe. But we need this. So don't worry about it.
Gram, you're the one who said Erica is only ever a second.
As a coven leader, she said. But give her responsibility like this and I think she'll surprise even herself. Gram prodded me. Stop questioning and get to it.
Gotcha. Erica's eyes widened from the look of concern she'd been wearing since I took my seat with the other leaders. Understanding finally reached her, a flicker of admiration and surprise replacing her fear.
"I remove Erica Plower as second of this coven and appoint her to the High Council." I sat down then, my knees finally unable to support me. Job done, I forced myself to breathe.
Erica rose immediately, without hesitation, as if we'd planned this together. One of the secretary's helpers hurried forward, offering her his hand as he guided her toward the Council table. The other was rushing forward with another chair, placing it at the end in the gap left for just this reason.
"Hands to your heart, witch." She did as Batsheva told her, pressing both to her chest. "Repeat the following: I, Erica Plower, do hereby put my loyalties to this Council first and my family second while I swear to uphold the laws and orders of the Council of North American Witches."
I listened to Erica repeat the words and all the ones that came after, barely hearing her as Gram spoke in my head.
Now, she sent, we'll see if we can make a difference. Your role in this is vital, girl. I need you with me at all times. No distractions. Including that delicious boy you're so enamored with. She cackled when I flushed, eyes going to Quaid who was watching Erica's induction.
You've finally accepted him then? She married a Dumont herself, been betrayed by Grandfather Ivan. So I guess I understood her reaction to Quaid.
I've mellowed in my old age. She sniffed and laughed. You could do worse.
Okay then. A part of me sighed in relief.
"...I do so swear." Erica's voice was firm as she finished.
Batsheva's power oozed outward, a thin rope of deep blue lined with lavender touching Erica. I heard her gasp, saw her tremble, felt the magic of the Council bind itself to the Hayle coven magic through her. She held on as the Council's power wrapped around her and tied her to the others at the table.
"Welcome, Hayle Council Member Plower," Batsheva said while the others at her side echoed her. All but Andre, I noticed.
The secretary drew a breath and let it out in an unhappy puff. He spread his hands wide, the same magic Batsheva displayed now between his outstretched fingers. A robe to match the rest wove itself before our eyes, taking on vague human shape as it flickered with life and power. When complete, he gestured, sending it toward Erica. She held out her arms, allowed the fabric to slide around her, the large hood falling back behind her shoulders.
The entire conclave began to applaud. I joined them, jumping back to my feet, pinched toes forgotten. I was followed in my standing ovation by the majority of the witches.
A coup. Gram giggled. Oh, I wish I was there to see it, demon child!
Even Batsheva, previously smiling, had a new frown on her face at the display of support. As Erica circled the table and headed for her chair, her eyes raised and met mine.
Okay, Syd, she sent in a tight thread, maybe you do know what you're doing. A tiny smile twitched her lips as she took her seat with more grace than I'm sure I could have managed.
"Leader," the secretary addressed Batsheva, "are all matters settled?"
She nodded, still unhappy, not really paying attention to him, power rippling outward again as if she felt the need to reinforce the seals around the room. Had I really knocked her so far off of her confidence?
Wicked.
"Very well." He turned toward the main doors, back to the Council. "We now welcome the accused, Miriam Hayle."
And all of my speculation, excitement at having won a small piece of the game, went out the window as the doors alone unsealed and the Enforcers led my mother in.
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