Not surprised at Michael's words or at Luisa's coming and going, I am filled with excitement about what may start happening at midnight. Perfect timing for one of my already-set traps.

"Michael", I ask in a purring voice, "is the enslavement of Jason proper according to the rules, then? Since nothing was to begin before midnight, as was in the information sent by the lawyers, I believed that to be improper."
Or the rest of you would already be slaves, I thought to myself.

Jason's head whipped around to look at me, eyes full of questions and what looked like appreciation. "Not proper? You mean I may not be a slave after all? Michael, what about that??"

I smiled tightly, and awaited his response. Nothing like stirring a little dissent among the cousins... and possibly making an ally!

"Well, Michael?"