"The war," Liam said slowly. "You said she started it for glory. To secure her throne."
"Yes." Gorath's expression darkened. "Which brings us to the second truth. But that's a different conversation. First, you need to understand who Lilith is. What she's fighting. Why every decision she makes is shaped by the knowledge that she rules at the sufferance of demons who'd prefer her dead."
He stood, walking to a shelf. Retrieved an object wrapped in dark cloth.
"King Azareth gave Lilith something before he died. Something none of the Houses know about. Something even I only learned about through channels I'm not supposed to have."
He unwrapped the cloth, revealing a journal. Ancient. Pages yellowed with age and stained with what looked like blood.
"His personal writings. From the final year." Gorath opened it, his massive claws surprisingly gentle with the delicate pages.
"Listen to this."
He read, his voice taking on a different quality. Softer. Almost reverent.
