One Drukhari beauty with weaker nerves nearly screamed, but hastily covered her mouth. The others, more composed, kept their usual seductive smiles and quickly rose to help Theoro wash the blood and flesh from his body.
"My apologies, my honored guests. That subordinate was far too rude, so I disposed of him as a token of apology."
Theoro's voice seemed deliberately altered, making it sound heavily distorted.
The bloody opening to their meeting left Ovisus stunned for a moment. She did not know what expression to put on her beautiful face, but a figure stepped in front of her, shielding her.
"Honored Archon, thank you for receiving us. We come with no ill intent. We hope to secure a route to the material universe, and would also like to inquire about purchasing the Webway Control Terminal for a standard Webway grid sector, located in the southwestern part of the Webway. We hope you might help arrange this for us. As for the price... we can discuss that in detail..." Parker Pan bowed to Cicero as he spoke.
Cicero sat with his legs spread and his head propped on one hand, ignoring the Drukhari beauties cleaning his body. His gaze passed over Parker Pan to settle on Ovisus behind him.
The thirty-odd Incubi surrounding them, utterly loyal and formidable in battle, took a step forward. Their hands rested on their sword hilts, as though awaiting Cicero's command at any moment. One order from the Kabal's Archon, and they would turn this place into a bloody slaughterhouse.
"What I heard was... that you could resolve my current predicament and problems, not that I was supposed to solve yours," Cicero said languidly. "Am I right, dear Prophet?"
Ovisus stepped out from behind Parker Pan. "Yes, honored Archon, you are correct..."
Cicero raised a