The world from which I have come had, among it's other peculiarities, a series of beings which fed on fear which could manipulate and influence our world, but not actually enter it.

On realising that it would be possible for someone to someday bring them into our world, I decided to ensure it would be me who gave them the key, and thus ensure that I would not, in the nightmare world which ensued, be subject to the whims of anyone else.

[ he doesn't pause long enough to allow Eiffel to comment yet. ]

And the reference you're looking for, to describe this situation, is from Milton. "Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven."