"So, tell me everything." She pulled me into our dorm room and we both sank onto the bed on her side of the room.
"Well, I think you might know more than me. I don't remember a ton from when the demon possessed me. Even when I was more in control than she was. She left me with a lot of knowledge, I just don't know what. Oh, and they burned down the cabin."
Victoria's eyebrows rose, and she put her hands in front of her mouth. "O-M-G."
"Yeah. It sucks." I still hadn't fully processed that change, along with everything else that had happened in the last few months.
"What are you going to do?"
"We're trying to figure that out now. I think Nikolai is in favor of nuking them, but we have to figure out if we can get away with it." I shrugged. "We'll figure it out. At the very least, I'm not in danger like I was before."
Victoria nodded, crossed her arms over her chest, and shivered. She probably remembered the gun against her temple. With Nikolai protecting us from magical attacks and Sam's amulet that Victoria wore, the Andersons had resorted to using a gun and my roommate to get me to go quietly.
Victoria's expression brightened. "Here's some interesting news. The Supreme Court is hearing a case right now that could determine if supernaturals get protected status under the law. It'll be a game changer if it goes through."
"Yeah, for anyone who's willing to expose themselves. Didn't they try and do some sort of registration bill a while back?"
Victoria nodded. "We got that shut down, but you're right, for the protections to work you have to be identified as a supernatural."
"I can think of quite a few races who will not want to be identified, even with protections." My thoughts went to Doc immediately. No vampire, or half vampire in his case, would want anyone to know what they were. Not in the current climate, anyway. He could still pretend to be a mage since he had access to both mine and Nikolai's powers, but I wasn't sure how well that would hold out if it really became an issue.
"Well, the goal obviously is to get to the point where it doesn't matter. This would be a big step."
"Yeah. I'm sorry. You're right, this is a big deal. It would make it easier to fight the magic mafia too."
Victoria nodded. "So, how are things with the guys? They've looked pretty stressed out over the last couple of months."
I stared at the ground, guilt at putting them through so much warring with pleasure as I thought about this afternoon with Doc.
"Good, I think. I mean, they all seem to have worked everything out amongst themselves while I was, um, gone. Now I'm just trying to get caught up with them. I guess."
Victoria's eyes sparkled and her lips turned up. "Enjoy that."
I couldn't help my cheeks reddening. "I will."
"Are you going to spend the rest of the weekend here or back up with the guys? I'm assuming they have some sort of plan for a place to live while they deal with the cabin?"
"I'm not sure. Probably head back up if I can. If not tonight, then tomorrow. Nikolai is introducing everyone to Mongolian camping techniques."
"Okay, cool. My guy will be here before long. He had a little more flexibility with the first part of his week back in classes so we decided to ride out the next snow storm up here. This weather is wild. We don't usually have this much snow this early in the year."
"Great! Do I finally get to meet him?"
"Yeah, want to see if everyone wants to get pizza?"
"Like, my entire pack?"
"That was what I meant by everyone." She winked at me. "It'll be fun."
"Does he know I'm dating all of them?"
Victoria nodded.
I flopped back onto my bed. This was way more difficult than I had anticipated. If I could feel comfortable with anyone knowing I had multiple serious boyfriends, I would think it would be Victoria and her boyfriend. Star, my best friend, knew, but we hadn't had much time to really talk about it. She promised to text me when she got back to Florida and we would talk more then.
"What's wrong?"
"I just…it still feels weird to be dating, I mean, really dating, four guys."
"Weird?"
"Okay, no, with them it feels completely natural. It's only when I'm talking about it with other people that it starts to feel strange."
"David thinks it's cool." Victoria shrugged. "We're good people to practice with. Oh, and I'm pretty sure my parents figured it out, too. Though, they haven't met Nikolai. Uh, I didn't tell David any of your guys were supernatural, except that Doc and you are mages. It was kind of obvious when I freaked out and told him about the asshole who kidnapped you. And so far that's all my parents know about, too."
"Good to know. Thanks. Let me text them."
I pulled out my phone and sent a group text.
Sofia: Anyone up for pizza with Victoria and her boyfriend tonight?
Ed: Yes! Speaking for all of us.
Sofia: Great, see you at 6.
Ed: Get reservations if they take them.
Sofia: Good call.
"They're in. Does the pizza place take reservations? Or call ahead seating?"
Victoria pulled out her phone. "I'll find out."
My phone chimed that I had another text.
Ed: Bring some clothes for the weekend. You're staying with us. Also, Doc wanted me to make sure you knew final exams were coming up for all our classes.
Sofia: Oh. Shit.
Ed: You'll be fine.
"What's wrong? You just got pale?" Victoria asked.
"Ed reminded me we have exams coming."
"Oh, yeah. Shouldn't be a big deal, though. Freshman year and all."
"You've been to your classes. I was trapped in my head." I buried my face in my arm.
"Oh, right. We'll figure it out, Sofia."
I groaned.
"Hey, I got us a reservation and David just got here." She waved her phone at me as if to explain how she knew.
