"There is no one older or more powerful than me, save one," he tells her with no trace of bragging in his tone. It just is. "But I never wanted power. I simply wanted to be left alone."

Not by himself, but alone with Eric. With Nora. With his people. To be left to his own devices. "But that wasn't possible. And equal rights aren't bad, no. But we are wolves asking equal rights from sheep, Annie. There is only so long before we stop asking and begin demanding. And that is what I saw happening after my time."