Page 52 of Seven is Swell

“I’m beginning to think our problems aren’t too bad,” Danny says somewhat lightheartedly.

“Enough about me. You guys got anything fun planned for the long weekend? It was so nice to wake up today and get to do absolutely nothing.”

“There’s a party tomorrow if you wanted to go. It’s out in the woods, just past the school boundary so that people can get as wild as they want— I haven’t seen you around any of the parties yet this semester.” If I was someone else, the idea of a wild and drunken party in the woods would be a blast; but I know Jackson’s going to shoot this down and I can’t really blame him.

“It’s a bit of a security risk to have the princess in a house full of drunk college students. Or wandering around woods where we can’t secure any sort of perimeter or vet who’s around her.”

Violet raises an eyebrow at Jackson’s explanation, and I feel the need to explain something. “Did I mention he’s also my bodyguard?”

“Oh girl, I know. Truthfully, I don’t know how you’re balancing everything you are—starting midway through the year and all these marks?”

“I think my mates keep me grounded. I was enrolled in an online school before transferring here and it was really hard at first switching to in-person classes, but having my best friend herehelped. It’s all kind of been a blur, but I’ve been assured that I’m doing well in all my classes. If I seem at all put together, I promise it’s mostly a façade and that internally I’m a big, hot, mess.”

“I can’t wait for the semester to be over. It’s going to be amazing when she graduates and we get to move out of these dorms and get a bit more space,” Aaron explains, looking over at his girl fondly.

“Oh no way, you’re about to graduate? That’s so exciting. Do you know what you’re going to do afterwards?”

Aaron looks almost giddy to answer. “My family owns this big ranch a few hours away, and part of my inheritance is a plot of land there. We have a house being built and we’ll all be helping out with the family business. There are never enough people on a ranch to cover everything. It’s not glamorous, but it’ll be a good place to settle and eventually start our family.”

I find myself getting lost a bit in a little daydream, imagining having a simple life like that. It sounds pretty idyllic, and I’m jealous they have it all sorted out.

“That’s cool man,” Jackson replies for the both of us, squeezing me a bit tighter because he can clearly tell I’m a bit distressed.

“My family can’t wait for us all to get there,” Aaron says fondly. “They of course love Violet, and she’ll be able to do all the community outreach she’s passionate about from there as well.”

“Please tell me your secrets,” I laugh. “I know I still have a whole year left of school but my life’s a fucking mess. I vaguely know I want to work at the headquarters with my parents, but I’ve got nothing else planned.”

“Probably makes it easier to have solid plans for the future when you aren’t worried about demon betrothals and breaking curseson gargoyles.” I relax against Jackson at his attempt to tell me to go easy on myself. Sometimes it’s hard to remember I’m not exactly living a normal existence.

I wince. “That’s true.”

“Oh my gods. This is so much better than watching daytime tv. What the hell are you talking about? You know what? Hold that thought. I’m going to make some popcorn.”

Violet jumps up to make popcorn, and of course Danny goes to help carry bowls and stuff, and when they get back, I find myself spilling everything that’s been bottling itself up inside of me. I thought I was doing really well, but meeting a fully-bonded conduit group and seeing how sweet and simple their life is, it sort of throws everything into perspective.

Violet understandably has so many questions about literally every facet of my history, and after spending so long trying to hide from the media and stay private, it’s terrifying and liberating at the same time to have so much of my personal business out in the world with someone I hardly even know.

There’s just a good vibe from her though that relaxes me. It’s probably the way her magic works; she has the ability to sort of tease problems out of people and help them relax about them, and it’s very cathartic.

We stay way longer than I thought we would, because her couch is comfy and her mates and her are calming to be around, but by the time we’ve gone through so many random subjects about both our lives, I’m determined to get something about my future settled.

I know the note that was placed in my locker by my apparent demon fiancé had all the steps outlined to help free Leo, and I’ve been so scared about the ramifications of that, but when Violet and I hug goodbye with promises to hang out again soon, I walkdown to my room again with a sense of determination rising in me to get him the hell off that awful concrete perch and out of the elements and bring him inside so I can hold him and fall asleep in his arms.

Everyone is watching a movie when I walk through the door and I of course take the time to say hi to everyone, surprised to see that Zac is still around while I try not to find it weird that I made out with my headmaster yesterday.

But then I’m bringing the demon’s note out and taking the time to really read through the steps so I can start preparing. I don’t even know if it can be done in one night or if it’s the sort of situation where I have to make some crazy brewed potion that needs to sit under the moonlight for a specific amount of time, but I am so optimistic right now. Maybe desperate.

“What are you up to?”

I blink up at Cory who’s leaning over me, reading through the note as well, their lips tilt up in a smile and they lean forward to kiss me nice and sweetly, and I feel the emotion rising high in me to have all my mates with me.

“I swear, once he’s free I’m fucking dragging him around everywhere I go. He’s going to have to take over guarding me for one of the twins because the bond between us is really hungry and itchy.”

August takes a seat next to me at our huge dining table, eyes roaming over the note. “You think you’re ready?”

“If I’m not ready right now, it’s never going to happen.”

“Did something happen at Violet’s? I know you wanted to do this, but you seem...off.”

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