[Suzerain of Sheol]

"I brew a strain of hypocras mixed with lavender and opium that would put you in a coma. Yet, I would not in good conscience invite you to my abode, as I could not vouchsafe your well-being." Laurent meets the loud man's eyes for the first time.

"What he means is he likes to get proper frothing mad when he drinks, and would just as soon chop you into giblets as engage in any sort of usual inebriations." Mansfield licks his lips inadvertently. A moment later, he shakes loose of the young woman's attention to round on her. "Now, wait just a bloody minute! Who're they? I don't know about you lot, but I'm just as keen not to find out."

Laurent shrugs. "This creature is clearly mundane in origin, of little interest. Perhaps the same group who experimented on you was behind its creation. I care little. We're leaving."