How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Tia raised her eyebrows. "You're suggesting that a member of the Council can steal talent?" She frowned. "Even if that is possible, the karmic debt alone…it's unthinkable. The Council is supposed to protect us."
"Yes, it is. But I suspect Douglas has begun to dominate the other members. Pushing them toward his desired direction." (12.69-70)
The idea that Douglas cares about protecting the paranormal community is a nice thought, except it's not true. And the idea that Mr. Nice Douglas might just be a façade isn't exactly comforting to those like Tia and Nick who have submitted to his leadership.
Quote #8
Her cold dread washed over me and I understood. She feared the power would corrupt me, that it would get out of hand. Perhaps someone else would use me for vil. For the first time, I was afraid of the thing inside me. (14.26)
The thing that frightens Sam the most about his powers is arguably not what Douglas could do to him; it's what the power itself could do to him, potentially transforming him into the same kind of manipulative troll as his nemesis. Sam recognizes the potency of his powers, and fears becoming evil and manipulative.
Quote #9
"Although Ling Tsu has the ability to function and make decisions on his own, I control his primary will. That is one of the main skills you need to cultivate as a necromancer. Each time you raise or summon something, you are betting that your will is stronger than its own." (19.157)
Let's see if we've got this straight: According to Douglas, necromancy is one gigantic feat of manipulation all of its own, all about asserting your own will over that of the entity you're trying to raise. If this is the case, we can see why that power is so dangerous when placed in the wrong hands (like, say, Douglas's).