The two women explored their environment in darkness for a few minutes before a bright light illuminated the area. They were in a small stone cell with one wall made of glass. A man stood on the other side of the glass, regarding them.

He was in his forties, stocky build, with mane of once dark hair turned to gray and a matching goatee. He was clad in a well-tailored English drape cut suit. His expression was a mix of annoyance and boredom.

"Trespassing, are we?"

"We were going to ring your doorbell just as you sprung your trap," Imp clarified.

"How civil of you."

"Are you responsible for the machine men?" Melet-Dar asked.

"Why yes," he said with a proud smile. "Those would be mine."

"And your name?"

&q...

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