Page 50 of Furever Bound
"How many agents?" Sera asked with practical intelligence that proved she was considering tactical options rather than simple compliance.
"Enough to ensure cooperation," Elena said.
Sera felt Maddox's calculation of defensive options, his protective rage at the threat to their sanctuary, and his growing certainty that federal acquisition attempts had reached the point where community safety required active resistance rather than diplomatic negotiation.
"Elena," Sera said with determined calm, "you're making a fundamental error in your assessment of this situation."
"Which is?"
"You're assuming I'm an isolated individual whose abilities can be separated from the community that enables them," Sera replied with growing confidence in her own power and position. "But my psychic gifts are connected to Hollow Oak's supernatural energy, supported by community bonds that transcend federal authority."
"Community bonds that include an eight-foot supernatural guardian whose transformation you documented but apparently didn't understand," Maddox added with predatory satisfaction.
As if summoned by their conversation, Grimjaw's massive form emerged from the forest behind Elena's position, its bone antlers gleaming with protective fire while its presence radiated ancient power that federal training hadn't prepared agents to handle.
"The creator will not be taken," Grimjaw declared with supernatural authority that made the air itself vibrate with power. "The community will not be threatened. The protection I was given, I now give in return."
Elena's professional composure finally cracked as she realized her carefully planned federal acquisition had become exponentially more complicated by supernatural forces that didn't recognize bureaucratic authority.
"This isn't over," she said with bureaucratic determination that proved federal pressure would continue regardless of immediate tactical failures.
"No," Sera agreed with certainty. "It's not. But neither are we."
38
MADDOX
The Council meeting convened within an hour of Elena's failed acquisition attempt, with every supernatural resident of Hollow Oak gathering in the forest glade where ancient protections provided their only guarantee of privacy from federal surveillance. The November air carried bite that promised winter's full arrival, and snow continued falling through bare branches while the community discussed response options to unprecedented government pressure.
"Federal agents have established checkpoints on every road leading out of town," Callum reported with tactical precision that didn't disguise his anger at the siege-like conditions Elena had imposed. "Legal detention authority, search warrants for any vehicle containing supernatural materials, and coordination with state police that suggests expanded federal jurisdiction."
"They're not just monitoring anymore," Maeve observed with practical intelligence that cut through emotional reactions to focus on strategic realities. "They're implementing containment protocols designed to prevent anyone from leaving while they establish permanent oversight."
Maddox felt Sera's anxiety spike through their completed mate bond as she thought about the effect of a federal containment for a community that had never posed any threat to national security.
"What are our legal options?" Varric asked with the careful attention of someone evaluating all possible responses before committing to action that could escalate beyond recovery.
"Limited," Miriam replied with the tired authority of someone who'd dealt with government overreach before. "Elena's federal warrants appear legitimate on paper, and challenging them requires legal processes that could take months while providing no guarantee of favorable outcomes."
"Months during which Sera remains in federal custody while our community operates under permanent surveillance," Emmett said with grim assessment that made every option sound equally unpalatable.
"If they can acquire her," Bram pointed out with rare optimism. "Grimjaw's intervention demonstrated that federal authority has limitations when confronted with actual supernatural power."
The mention of their transformed guardian drew attention to the massive creature that had positioned itself at the glade's perimeter, its presence radiating protective determination that federal agents were learning to respect despite their legal advantages.
"Grimjaw's protection is a temporary solution," Elder Varric observed with diplomatic realism. "Federal agencies have resources and patience that supernatural manifestations can't match indefinitely."
"So what do you suggest?" Sera asked with a direct challenge that proved she'd fully integrated into their community's decision-making processes. "Surrender to federal custody andhope Elena's psychiatric evaluation concludes that my abilities aren't worth weaponizing?"
"I suggest we consider alternatives that don't require choosing between individual sacrifice and community exposure," Varric replied with the careful neutrality that meant crucial decisions were about to be made.
"Such as?" Maddox asked, though his protective instincts were already rejecting any option that involved separating him from his newly claimed mate.
"Relocation," Bram said simply. "Community evacuation to territory where Elena's federal authority doesn't extend."
"Relocation to where?" Sera asked with practical intelligence. "Elena's federal colleagues aren't going to forget about psychic manifestation abilities just because we move somewhere else."
"International relocation," Bram clarified with matter-of-fact tone that suggested he'd been researching options for exactly this scenario. "Supernatural communities in countries that don't extradite individuals for psychic abilities or folklore manifestation."
