file the transfer under, miss?”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever you want, Roger. Hamburgers. Send me confirmation when it’s done.”
Hanging up, I descended the steps and perched on the bottom one. Closing my eyes, I tilted my face to the sun and waited.
There had to be more than five hundred Vissimo here, but I could have been alone with only the slight breeze lifting my hair. No one made a peep.
My phone buzzed.
I read the message and then typed the second number from Kyros into my phone.
I held it to my ear.
“Clan Gugi, Indebted division. You’re speaking with Sora.”
One ring.
That was service. Roger should take notes.
“Sora. It’s Basilia Le Spyre. My true mate, Kyros Atagio, contacted you regarding our recent sixth exchange.”
“Hold, please.”
Please have called. Please have called.
“Mrs Le Spyre, yes. We received his confirmation.”
I pulled a face at the Mrs bomb. He absolutely did that on purpose to mess with me.
She attacked a keyboard in the background. “We’ve also received your email with the codes of two thousand and thirty-two Indebted.”
“Payment was just put through,” I told her. “How long does clearance usually take?”
“Twelve hours at the most, Mrs Le Spyre. Confirmation of payment will be sent by email.”
I grimaced again. Damn, longer than I’d hoped. “Thank you.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with today?”
Jesus. How often did this woman process the freedom of more than two thousand slaves? “No. That’s all.”
I hung up and flipped my phone before sliding it into my back pocket.
“I didn’t want to be freed.” Deana stood before me, rage etched in the hard lines of her face.
She’d lost every shred of innocence in her features since I first saw her wrapped around her human boyfriend.
Waving Laurel away, I got to my feet. “You’re free, regardless.”
“I didn’t sign the contract,” she spat.
My brows rose. “No, you didn’t. I guess that means you’re totally free to do what you want.”
Fear widened her eyes. “No.”
“Clearly, being free is the harder path for you. If you really want to torture yourself for what happened, choose to live in painful freedom.”
A confused frown graced her face.
“Go or stay. If you stay, you work for the same wage as everyone else with the same time off. If you choose to go, you need to wait one week.”
I turned to Laurel, who dipped her head.
She’d watch Deana until I let the cat out of the bag.
I climbed a few stairs so the Vissimo could see me. “I’ll send word out when final confirmation comes through. Thank you for being brave enough to accept my offer. Now, please listen closely. My friend Tommy is in charge of housing. A list of available houses and the number each rental sleeps will be handed out tomorrow. A team will arrive early next week to start the process of setting up bank accounts, tax numbers, and applying for identification. For the next four to six weeks, until we have everything necessary, you will be paid in cash. You will receive payment from today. I’ve arranged for your first month to be paid in advance so you’re able to purchase various items you need. These funds will be distributed tomorrow.”
I studied the slackening faces. “My butler, Fred, will hand out a template budget sheet that I drew up. This will help you spread funds to cover discounted rent, food, public transportation, and other costs of living. Some may not need this, but some time has passed since you had control of money, so I hope the template doesn’t come across as insulting. Of course, aside from housing costs, you’re welcome to spend your money how you wish.”
I took a breath. “Laurel and Vladymir are in charge of the work and housing roster. I’m sure they’ve notified you of this, but until further notice, you are to continue your current work for Fyrlia and Sundulus. I apologise for this subterfuge, but it is a necessary one.”
They were silent as I finished.
“That’s it,” I said lamely.
Laurel sank to her knees beside me, her head bowed.
Not this again.
In a wave, the Vissimo mimicked their leader, dropping to their knees.
“Enough of that,” I said sharply.
They didn’t budge.
Blowing out an irritated breath, I dropped to my knees, too, bowing my head to them. Their response wasn’t so much a murmur as a shocked intake of air.
Ha! “I’m not standing until the rest of you do,” I murmured, lifting my head. “So get the fuck up because my knees hurt.”
“We could outlast you,” Laurel replied, her gaze cutting to me.
“No