Page 24 of Furever Bound
"They want to study the entire community," Sera said. "Not just me. Elena's documentation probably includes evidence of supernatural defensive measures, organized community response to folklore manifestation."
"Which means our secrecy is already compromised," Maeve observed grimly. "The question is whether we can contain the exposure or need to consider more drastic measures."
The euphemistic language didn't disguise implications that made Maddox's protective instincts rage against any threat to his mate or their community. Federal interest in supernatural individuals rarely ended well for those being studied.
"There might be another option," Sera said slowly, her expression reflecting the kind of focused problem-solving that had made her successful at content creation. "What if we give them what they want, but control how they get it?"
"Meaning?" Emmett asked with the tactical attention of someone evaluating battlefield strategy.
"Meaning I cooperate with their research, provide documentation of my abilities, but on terms that protect this community," she explained, her voice growing more confident as the plan developed. "Full transparency about my psychic gifts in exchange for guaranteed non-interference with Hollow Oak."
"You'd sacrifice your privacy to protect our secrecy?" Maddox asked, horror and admiration warring in his chest at her willingness to accept such personal cost.
"I'd accept responsibility for consequences of my actions," she corrected with the kind of mature determination that proved she understood exactly what she was offering. "The federal interest is my fault. The manifestation crisis is my fault. The exposure risk is my fault. I should be the one who fixes it."
"Not alone," he said firmly. "If you're dealing with federal investigators, you're doing it with community support and legal protection. And you're doing it as my mate, which means they have to go through me to reach you."
"Is that how supernatural law works?" she asked with genuine curiosity that suggested she was already adapting to their world's political realities.
"That's how I work," he replied, taking her hand in his with possessive certainty that made her skin warm under his fingers. "Whatever happens with Elena's colleagues, whatever the Council decides about narrative restructuring, whatever Grimjaw becomes when night falls again—we face it together."
Sera squeezed his hand in response, the mate bond hummed with recognition that transcended rational decision-making. They had found each other, accepted each other, and committed to protecting what they were building together.
Now they just had to survive the consequences of supernatural revelation long enough to discover what came next.
19
SERA
The October morning air carried the sharp bite of approaching winter as Sera walked with Maddox from The Griddle & Grind toward his Victorian home, her overnight bag slung over her shoulder and her mind still reeling from everything she'd learned about Hollow Oak's supernatural reality. Frost covered the fallen leaves that crunched beneath their feet, and smoke rose from chimneys throughout the town as residents prepared for what was shaping up to be an unusually cold autumn.
"Does everyone know?" she asked, studying the familiar faces they passed with new understanding. "About what you are, what this place really is?"
"Most humans who find their way here have some level of intuitive sensitivity," Maddox replied, his hand warm against the small of her back as he guided her around a particularly icy patch of sidewalk. "They're drawn to the supernatural energy without necessarily understanding what they're sensing."
Mrs. Johnson emerged from the post office with a friendly wave, but Sera caught the way the older woman's sharp gaze catalogued their body language with obvious approval.The casual observation felt different now that she understood Hollow Oak operated on supernatural community dynamics rather than normal small-town politics.
"Mrs. Johnson?" she asked quietly.
"Gifted human," Maddox confirmed. "Specializes in protective charms and communication spells. She's probably the reason our phone service remained intact during last night's manifestation, while the power grid failed."
"And Edgar and Rufus at the mercantile?"
"Hedge witches, or warlocks, with family traditions in supernatural supplies. Most of their inventory would be completely ordinary to mundane perception, but they stock everything from blessed silver to rowan wood." He paused as they passed the shop in question, noting the Halloween decorations that seemed more purposeful than purely festive. "This time of year, they do particularly good business."
Sera studied the carved pumpkins and autumn wreaths with new eyes, recognizing what she'd previously dismissed as seasonal charm now carried protective significance. Orange and black bunting, arrangements of dried herbs, iron wind chimes that created specific tonal patterns—all of it designed to strengthen defensive barriers during the time when supernatural activity traditionally peaked.
"Halloween isn't just a holiday here," she realized.
"Halloween is when the barriers between different realities become naturally thin," Maddox explained, pulling his jacket closer as a particularly sharp gust of wind sent leaves swirling around them. "Most supernatural communities spend October preparing for increased manifestation activity, hostile entity crossings, and territorial disputes with things that prefer the dark."
"Things like Grimjaw."
"Among others." His expression darkened as they turned onto Maple Street. "Your social media amplification accelerated what would normally be a gradual seasonal buildup. Instead of having weeks to prepare for manifestation, we got full corporeal presence in a matter of days."
The weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders like the cold morning air, but Maddox's protective presence made it feel manageable rather than overwhelming. She'd created this crisis, but she wasn't facing the consequences alone.
His Victorian home looked different in daylight, less mysterious and more welcoming, with smoke rising from the chimney and Ember visible through the diamond-paned windows. The phoenix appeared to be arranging something on her perch with typical avian precision.
