Erik Osborne

"I'm not sure I like the fact that you've changed."

Makes him harder to hate.

"Do what you must, but remember that I will not stand for retaliation that harms Max in any way. I will defend myself should you be wrong about her being reasonable."

And he should easily recall that she hadn't been near him when he died.

"I have no desire to kill, which is probably why Claunthe requested blood as payment for saving Max, but I will."