No, the Seraphim seems to feel the edict is enough to force Gabriel’s compliance.
Is it? She’d meant that as a musing more than a real question, but Issac replied anyway.
Was it enough for your mum? he countered, a smile in his voice.
No.
Then I doubt it’s enough for your brother.
“The Seraphim delivered an edict to Gabriel. They want the abominations removed from his property, preferably by death. And they want him to appear before the council. With me.” Stas looked at Luc. “That’s not going to happen.”
“You’re right. It’s not,” Leela agreed, reappearing again. “If they have your mother, then she’s being rehabilitated. Which is exactly where they’ll take you and Gabriel after you arrive. That’s where I’ll end up as well if the theory about Chanara—your grandmother—is accurate.” She visibly shuddered at the words.
“How does one rehabilitate a Seraphim?” Luc asked.
“Rehabilitation is used to correct the broken ones of our kind,” she replied softly. “It’s a program that helps us relearn our status in life and reminds us why emotions have no place in our society.”
“By doing what?” he pressed.
“Whatever is necessary.” She swallowed. “If Caro is there, well, they would do everything they can to break her blood bond with Sethios. Or, at the very least, degrade it to a point where she no longer considers it relevant.”
“Which would explain why my father can’t sense her.”
“Yes,” Leela whispered. “Because there would be nothing to sense. She would consider herself nonexistent and therefore be nonexistent. No heartbeat. No thoughts. Just a being waiting to be reborn into whatever purpose the council chooses.”
That sounded… awful. “Gabriel thinks her memories are playing on a loop.”
Leela’s bright blue-green eyes flickered with understanding. “They’re using her pain in a practical manner to manipulate the emotions of those bonded to her. If it hurts too much to pay attention to her mind and soul, then you ignore the obvious.”
Stas didn’t know how to reply to that. Mostly because she couldn’t wrap her head around such cold cruelty. But with every piece of information falling into place, it seemed more and more likely that her mother was no longer drowning. She’d been transferred to an even worse prison—Seraphim rehabilitation.
Issac, Stas whispered before relaying to him everything Leela had just said. I think Stark and my dad are right, she concluded. The Seraphim have my mom.
No, Aya, he replied, already knowing what she was going to suggest. You are not going there with Gabriel.
But it makes sense, doesn’t it? They’ve just presented us with a perfect opportunity to find and save her.
Or trap you in the same damn state, he snapped. Absolutely not. However, even as he said it, she sensed his mind working through the same calculations that she’d already done.
I’m not saying I’ll go right now, she confirmed softly. I just… I think we need to explore the opportunity.
He didn’t reply, his hesitation and fear vivid in their bond.
Tell Gabriel, she said, the two words more of a suggestion than a command. See what he says.
I already know what he’ll say, Issac muttered back at her. I’m going to tell your father instead. He’ll see reason.
She snorted. Ganging up on me with my dad now?
If that’s what it takes to keep you safe, then yes.
Just consider it.
No.
Liar, she accused softly. I know you see the opportunity here.
She could admit it was a rash decision, one she intended to think through entirely before agreeing. But she wanted her lover to at least consider it with her.
Instead, he fell silent once more, causing her to sigh.
“Your brother is being stubborn,” she told Luc. They technically weren’t brothers by blood, but they shared a father figure in Aidan. He was Luc’s dad by blood, and Issac’s maker.
Jacque teleported in with a plate in his hand and a fork at his lips. He appeared to be eating some sort of cake. “B needs you, Feathers. He says to meet him at Jay’s place.” He was already teleporting again as the last word left his mouth.
“Feathers?” Stas repeated.
“Leela,” Alik explained, rolling his eyes. “It’s Jacque’s pet name for her.”
The Seraphim smiled. “Have you come up with one for me yet, handsome?”
“Trouble,” he drawled.
Her sea-colored eyes sparkled. “I like it.”
“I’m sure you do,” he returned. “Go play with B. He’s more your style.”
“And how would you know?” she asked him.
“Because you saved his life on the beach?” Stas suggested, arching a brow. “Not that I’m complaining, but why did you do that, exactly?”
“She saved Balthazar’s life?” Luc asked, his eyebrows shooting