How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I'd seen thousands, millions, of these beings. I'd spent too many depressing eons with them after they were dead. After they were weighed down with guilt over the hurt they'd caused others. (11.46)
Reed shoving people around might not seem like a big deal, but it is to Kiriel since he figures this guy will have to pay for his behavior later, which he'll end up regretting. Sure, it seems like an easy move for a bully to mock people while he's doing it, but later on, he suffers indefinitely.
Quote #8
I put the photos down and turned away. I didn't want to feel grief for the loss of Shaun. Didn't want to feel guilt. Of all beings, I knew how pointless it was. Shaun would have died whether I'd stepped in or not. Those last moments I took from him would have been filled with either pain or nothingness. (12.118)
When Shaun's bro and friend are playing video games and he sees photos of Shaun with his buddy, Kiriel imagines what's left of Shaun. Nothing—he took the guy's last moments, along with his family and friends. To Kiriel, it was no biggie stealing a body since he's lived forever, but now he thinks taking a short life away from someone isn't the best idea he's ever had. What's that phrase? Oh right… you live, you learn.
Quote #9
One of the aspects of my function is to reflect sorrow. For a long time, I had only felt the sorrow of others. I'd forgotten how blunted and deadened that is, compared to the sorrow that comes from one's own heart. (21.102)
Part of Kiriel's existence is helping other people feel badly about themselves, which he's gotten quite good at. After all this time of doing that, he's not used to experiencing something for himself. Guess being immortal but watching from the sidelines is nothing like being the starting quarterback.