From a distance, it did the trick, sparkling gold in the light that seemed to emanate from my palms, sending bright glimmers over the ecstatic faces of my followers far below. Up close, it was all loose threads and false shine. Just like me. The threadbare Saint.
-- Alina (Chapter 1)

Importance: The Apparat uses tricks to make his followers believe that Alina still has her powers even after she loses them. This quote is important because it shows that the Apparat is willing to lie to his followers for his own gain.

Relief came with the light, a sense of being right and whole for the first time in months. Some part of me had truly feared I might never be restored completely, that by using merzost in my fight with the Darkling, by daring to create shadow soldiers and trespass in the making at the heart of the world, I had somehow forfeited...
-- Alina (Chapter 2)