I have walked in Death to the very precipice of the Ninth Gate," Abhor sen said quietly. "I know the secrets and horrors of the Nine Precincts. I do not know what lies beyond, but everything that lives must go there, in the proper time. That is the rule that governs our work as the Abhor sen, but it also governs us. You are the fifty-third Abhor sen, Gabriel. I have not taught you as well as I should—let this be my final lesson. Everyone and everything has a time to die.

Sabriel