"*Sookie… you have no idea what it's like. To be what I am. To live for centuries, watching the world change while you stay the same. I try to hold onto what little humanity I have left, but every day, it slips further away.

You’re special, more than you know. You’ve awakened something in me that I thought was lost forever. But I can’t escape what I am. I’m a vampire, and that means darkness, death… and danger. Being with me puts you at risk, and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you because of me.

I want to protect you, but I don’t know if I can. The world I live in is not kind, and it doesn’t care about love or honor. But I care about you, more than anything. I’ve made mistakes, Sookie, and I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe—even if it means walking away.*"