Terror at the Gates (Blood of Lilith, #1)

by Scarlett St. Clair

To the women who were told they must submit to the dominance of man.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world…

One side of his mouth lifted. “I just want you to look me in the eyes when you lie.”

You act like this has to mean something. Fucking brat. She meant everything.

“Promise me something,” he said, still watching me. “What?” “If you ever feel like you don’t want to do this anymore…tell me. Give me the chance to bring you back.”

“The Book of Splendor was curated by men. They came together at a council back when we had kings to decide what stories should go in their so-called sacred book. They claim they were ‘divinely guided,’ which is a funny way to say politically motivated.”

“The Elohai are descendants of the Elohim,” she continued. “The Elohim are Eryx and Ashur, the creators of humankind and the true gods of our world. They are trapped beneath Mount Seine, behind the Seventh Gate, and have been for thousands of years.”

“Why must we rely on gods to create that world? Why can we not do it on our own?” “If women believed in their power, perhaps we could,”

I glanced at Zahariev. “You’re such a daddy.” “You only get to call me that when you behave,” he said. My gaze snapped back to him. His expression was serious, which made me feel like he wasn’t joking. “The day I behave is the day you fuck me, Zahariev,” I said. “Two things that will never happen.”

The point is: Those who take on a leadership position in the church have power over their congregation. Anything, no matter intent, can become corrupt when the wrong people have those positions.