Page 118 of Wicked Bonds

Maybe because he’d allowed her to witness the memory of his exile without interference.

Or, more likely, because she’d spent the last thousand or so years questioning the council’s verdicts and the destinies prescribed by the Fates. They felt a bit too convenient.

“Regardless, it’s clear there is some sort of corruption inside the Seraphim Council. And the truth of reformation may expand beyond the original five now. But most definitely believe Osiris is evil, which wouldn’t be the case if they knew the history.”

“Others had to have seen the events of his exile or, at a minimum, have been aware of it.” Issac uttered the words slowly, his brow furrowing. “Did they alter everyone’s memories?”

Vera shook her head. “From what I saw in Osiris’s mind, the original High Council of Seraph was much smaller. And it predated most of our existence. The expansion happened as new lines formed.” Which was a mystery in terms ofhowthey came to be. They just appeared, the ethereal energies combining to create corporeal entities that grew into Seraphim.

She explained some of that out loud since Luc immediately asked what she meant by “formed.” He absorbed the information with a nod, then shifted back to the political part of the discussion. “How do the Seraphim think reformation came to be?”

“We’ve all been led to believe that it’s a tool created through superior intellect,” Vera explained. “The actual presentation of it is quite scientific in nature. But only those who have gone through it know the full scope of what it feels like. However, they don’t fully understand the mechanisms.”

“Or their memories are altered to forget it,” Stas muttered. “As is Leela’s case, apparently. But my mom remembers parts of her experience.”

“Has she described it at all?” Luc inquired.

Stas shook her head. “Not really. But she’s interested in talking with Blake. Clara mentioned his presence in the dungeon, and my mom asked what he’d done. Issac explained that he can’t be trusted yet because of what John did to him. She said the rehabilitation process sounded similar to reformation.”

Luc rubbed his jaw, his eyes gleaming. “Considering Osiris’s alliance with John and the experiments at the CRF in general, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume they created some sort of reformation to keep the Sentinels in line. Or to brainwash them entirely.”

“I’d suggest Mateo look into it, but…” Issac trailed off.

“I’ll talk to him,” Luc replied. “See what he knows.”

“Or ask Osiris,” Vera suggested. “His methods may not be all that agreeable, but his intentions are mostly in line with our own here.”

Stas snorted. “Tell that to my parents.”

“I intend to. And Gabriel as well.” Assuming she had any energy left after this conversation.

Luc’s expression told her she might not, as he clearly had more questions for her. At least he would retain all the answers. Maybe she could ask him to tell the others.

“Who are the other four Seraphim that know the truth about reformation?” he asked.

These details truly wouldn’t appeal to anyone else, as the names she was about to give wouldn’t reveal anything.

But Luc would remember them.

And perhaps run them through his catalog of intellect to find any potential links.

Which was why she answered him in full, giving him the names of each member from the old council and their lineage designations.

Dian, the original and only Seraphim of Death and Destruction—the one he already knew.

Cassia, the original Seraphim of Destiny. She was the first Fate.

Pakhet, the original Seraphim of the Hunt. The tracker abilities stemmed from his line.

Veles, the original Seraphim of Elements. Several lines had formed after hers, representing each element individually. However, she retained the ability to collectively control all the elements.

Marduk, the original Seraphim of Judgment, which differed from the Seraphim of Justice. Silvia, a current member of the council, was the latter. Her powers were all about balance. Whereas Marduk’s were all about punishment and castigation.

“They’re some of the oldest of our kind,” Vera concluded. “Just like Osiris.”

“Were other Seraphim in existence at that point in history?” Luc asked.

“A few. It was the dawn of our creation. Or that’s when Osiris began working on reformation, anyway. Cassia had predicted there would come a time when it would be needed. He spent millennia perfecting the process.” From what Vera knew, Osiris was well over ten thousand years old. Just like the others of his era.