Elder

The twelve Elders are the utmost figures of authority in the Order and the Hymn of One.

In the Hymn of One, it is believed that it is an honor to be in the presence of an Elder. They greatly respect and revere these men and women. Because they are so important, Elders are extremely well protected by their aggressive, inhumane bodyguards called Shadows, who cannot leave their sides unless permission is given.

However, the real story is that the Elders are nothing more than the greedy masterminds behind the Order and more specifically, the Ceremony. The Elders are very old, as their name implies, and in order to stay alive as long as possible, they receive a transfusion of the blood of trait positive girls, such as Bree. Each transfusion extends an Elder's life about 40 to 50 years. Apparently, there are twelve Elders who rotate in turn for a chance to be the recepient of a trait positive girl's life-giving blood.