" Stories of gods always start with humans. Because without mortals, immortals would not exist. Gods would not be great, for they would have no lesser beings to lord their powers over. For supernatural creatures to exist, their natural, weaker counterparts must endure, for without them the world would perish. It is on the bones of the weak that the flesh of the strong is created. "

― Anne Malcom , Deathless (The Vein Chronicles #2)