Page 36 of Furever Bound
"Then federal agents will be forced to treat supernatural concealment as potential domestic terrorism," Elena replied with bureaucratic ruthlessness that made the threat crystal clear. "This community's secrecy becomes evidence of conspiracy rather than privacy."
The ultimatum hung heavily, and Sera realized that Elena had engineered a scenario where cooperation meant personal imprisonment but refusal meant community destruction.
"How long do we have to consider your generous offer?" Maddox asked with sarcasm sharp enough to draw blood.
"Twenty-four hours," Elena said, checking her watch with professional efficiency. "Tomorrow evening, Halloween night, federal oversight begins whether you cooperate willingly or require enforcement action."
"Halloween night," Sera said. "You're timing this to coincide with peak supernatural activity."
"When manifestation phenomena will be most visible to federal documentation equipment," Elena confirmed with academic satisfaction. "When your abilities will be most pronounced and therefore most valuable for research purposes."
The clinical way she discussed using Halloween's supernatural energy fluctuations to enhance federal documentation of Sera's abilities proved Elena understood far more about supernatural community dynamics than any human researcher should.
"What organization do you really work for?" Maddox asked with the sharp attention of someone recognizing deception beneath bureaucratic authority.
"Organizations that understand the national security implications of weaponized folklore manifestation," Elena replied vaguely. "Organizations that take a very active interest in individuals whose abilities could reshape modern warfare."
"Modern warfare," Sera repeated with growing horror as implications crystallized. "You want to use psychic manifestation abilities to create supernatural weapons."
"I want to prevent psychic manifestation abilities from being used by hostile entities," Elena corrected with diplomatic language that didn't disguise military applications. "Foreign governments, terrorist organizations, individuals whose loyalties haven't been properly vetted."
"Individuals like me," Sera said flatly.
"Individuals like you," Elena confirmed without apology.
As federal agents continued their systematic documentation of Hollow Oak's residents and supernatural protections, Sera realized that her viral content hadn't just manifested Grimjaw—it had exposed an entire community to exactly the kind of government scrutiny they'd spent generations avoiding.
"Twenty-four hours," Elena said, heading toward the broken window with obvious intention to leave. "Make the right choice, Ms. Quinn. For everyone's sake."
After she left, Sera sank into the leather chair that had become her favorite reading spot, surrounded by the wreckage of Maddox's carefully organized research materials.
"This is my fault," she said quietly, guilt making her voice raw with self-recrimination. "Every bit of this. The manifestation, the federal attention, the threat to your community. All of it."
"None of this is your fault," Maddox said firmly, moving to kneel beside her chair. "Elena's agenda extends far beyond your abilities or our crisis. She's been looking for excuses to establish federal oversight of supernatural communities."
"But my viral content gave her that excuse," Sera pointed out with bitter honesty. "My documentation provided evidence of psychic abilities and manifestation phenomena."
"Your documentation also brought you to us," he replied, taking her hands in his with gentle strength. "And tomorrow night, when we face whatever Elena's planning, we face it together. As mates, as partners, as people who've chosen to build something worth protecting."
Through the broken window, Sera could see Hollow Oak's residents maintaining their daily routines despite federal presence, their quiet determination proving that sanctuary was something worth fighting for even when the odds seemed impossible.
"Tomorrow night," she said, decision crystallizing with surprising clarity. "Halloween, when the barriers are thinnestand manifestation energy peaks. Perfect timing for direct communication with Grimjaw."
"Sera," Maddox began with protective concern.
"Perfect timing to show Elena and her federal colleagues that supernatural abilities don't have to be weapons," she continued, meeting his worried gaze with determined resolve. "That psychic gifts can be tools for peace rather than instruments of war."
27
MADDOX
The emergency Council meeting convened in the forest glade despite federal surveillance this time, the ancient protections woven into the sacred space providing their only guarantee of privacy as supernatural leaders discussed response options to unprecedented government intervention. Maddox arrived to find the assembled members radiating the kind of controlled fury that preceded either complete capitulation or open warfare.
"Federal agents have been questioning residents all afternoon," Emmett reported with tactical precision that didn't disguise his anger at the violation of their sanctuary. "Professional interviews designed to extract information about supernatural abilities, community organization, and defensive capabilities."
"Any cooperation?" Varric asked.
"None," Maeve replied with savage satisfaction. "Hollow Oak residents know how to handle government overreach. Polite responses that reveal nothing useful, documentation requests that produce ordinary paperwork, abilities that remain carefully hidden."
