Page 117 of Wicked Bonds

Because now she knew the truth about his exile.

“My kind has been led to believe that Osiris was exiled for killing a Seraphim,” she started, getting straight to the point. “And he did. To an extent. He created a form of rebirth that wiped the Seraphim’s psyche entirely and helped the being to find appropriate purpose again. Meaning he reprogrammed the Seraphim’s mind to a practical state, driving out any and all forms of emotion.”

He’d explained some of this to her, saying the being hadn’t been one of his choosing. But one from the council.

Adriel.

Which was why Vera had been heading toward Gabriel in Hydria, not Stas and Issac. But she’d go there next since Osiris had suggested she start here.

“Reformation,” Luc translated, his emerald gaze gleaming with his power of omniscience. He pieced together puzzles faster than anyone she’d ever met. Which, she supposed, made it almost relieving to have him here because he removed all the guesswork from her explanation.

“Yes, Osiris created reformation,” she confirmed. “Under the direction of the High Council of Seraph—or those in power at the time.” It was an important distinction that she would return to in a moment. “The council rewarded his efforts by exiling him.”

Luc considered her for a moment. “There can only be two reasons for that. Either he used the technique on someone without their approval, or they decided reformation was too powerful a tool to be left in his hands.”

“They provided him with the subject for his first and only reformation, so that should tell you the answer,” she replied.

“They exiled him for power. And now they use his tool to keep all the Seraphim in line.”

He fell into a contemplative silence.

She glanced at Stas and Issac to see if they had any questions, but they were both watching Luc.

Vera returned her focus to him as he began to nod as though he approved.

“It’s a brilliant tactic, actually. Seraphim are not supposed to feel—at least, that’s the standard as prescribed by your council,” he mused. “However, those who do experience emotion would also be prone to fear reformation. Thus, the procedure serves as an enforcement mechanism to ensure everyone behaves as the council declares.”

“They’re using reformation to control the Seraphim,” Issac added.

“Precisely,” Luc murmured. “Similar to how Osiris created the Conclave to manage his Ichorians. He’s always used fear as a motivator.”

“The Conclave is actually a replica of the council,” Vera informed them. “Well, the concept of it, anyway. He created his own version, but it’s strongly inspired by the High Council of Seraph. Except he invites all Ichorians to attend, not just the highest ranked in each bloodline.”

Most of the time, the highest-ranked Seraphim was the original or first of the line.

But not always.

Gabriel was a great example of someone with the potential to overthrow Adriel as the head of the line as a result of power, not age.

Luc nodded again, suggesting he already knew the information about the Conclave, or had at least suspected it. “So how many of your council members know the truth about reformation?” he asked.

“According to Osiris, only five Seraphim know the truth. And of them, only one is currently on the council. Dian. Which is why he was able to orchestrate the parameters of Leela’s reformation.” A statement that made her blood boil all over again.

He deserved a fate worse than death for what he’d done to Leela.

“Subjecting Leela to reformation and a memory wipe, in addition to having Balthazar’s memories erased by her own half sister, certainly feels a bitvengefulto me,” Issac commented conversationally. “And last I checked, a desire for revenge is often characterized as an emotional state.”

“Suggesting the five who now control reformation are not fully embracing the Seraphim way of being unfeeling and stoic,” Luc replied. “Instead, they force those requirements on the masses because it makes them easier to control. I can’t imagine the Seraphim populace and current council would be too enthused by this information.”

“Patreel certainly wasn’t,” Vera admitted. “He’s actually on his way to meet with Leela and Balthazar now to tell them the whole truth. Or he may already be with them. I’m not sure.”

She was exhausted from the past however many days or weeks. Seraphim might not require sleep, but that didn’t keep her kind from experiencing fatigue.

Both of the mental and physical variety.

“You said only one of them is currently on the council. Where are the other four?” Luc asked.

“They’re resting, as most ancients do. Dian is the only one who is currently awake and knows the truth. However, Osiris speculated that the others may actually be awake and just assumed to be asleep.” As much as Vera didn’t really care for Osiris, she believed him.