"Ah. Hoping to not have to go down there to get a book, in point of fact." He offers a shaky grin that quickly fades.

"I'm... loath to be reminded of the cruelty of my clan." It's not exactly a lie - but he's more worked up than just that. It's like he's remembering something that hurts badly. A scarred trigger that'll never go away in an immortal mind.