Page 52 of Furever Bound
"Something Varric mentioned yesterday?" she asked, remembering the elder's warnings about psychiatric intervention and supernatural sensitivity suppression.
"Something about how federal facilities handle individuals with psychic abilities," he confirmed with academic precision that couldn't disguise his emotional investment in her welfare. "Standard protocols include psychoactive medications designed to suppress supernatural sensitivity, electromagnetic field exposure that disrupts psychic connections, and isolation procedures that prevent contact with supportive community bonds."
"They would deliberately damage my abilities?" The thought of losing the psychic gifts that had brought her to Hollow Oak, that had enabled Grimjaw's transformation, that connected her to the supernatural community she'd come to love, sent ice through her veins with realization of exactly what federal custody would cost.
"They would frame it as medical treatment for reality dissociation and delusional attachment to supernatural phenomena," he said with bitter honesty. "But yes, standard federal protocols for psychic individuals essentially destroy the abilities that make them valuable for study."
"Because abilities they can't control become liabilities rather than assets," she realized with growing horror at the systematic nature of federal suppression.
"Because people who can manifest supernatural cooperation represent philosophical challenges to government authority that prefers force over negotiation," he corrected with scholarly analysis that revealed deeper political implications.
The sound of engines approaching their house drew them both to the window, where Elena's familiar figure emerged from a federal vehicle with the kind of professional determination that suggested she'd finally received authorization for direct action rather than bureaucratic pressure.
"Time's up," Sera said with calm acceptance. "Whatever we're going to do, it has to happen now."
"We fight," Maddox said simply, his protective instincts overriding every diplomatic consideration. "Together, with community support, against federal authority that has no legitimate claim to supernatural community autonomy."
"Maddox," she began, recognizing the potential consequences of active resistance to federal agents with legal warrants and unlimited backup.
"No negotiation," he interrupted with alpha finality that brooked no argument. "No voluntary surrender. No trading your freedom for temporary community protection. We protect what matters, all of it, regardless of the cost."
She felt his absolute determination to defend their sanctuary and their relationship against any threat, but she also sensed the community's vulnerability to federal pressure that could destroy everything they'd built if resistance failed.
"What if fighting makes things worse?" she asked with practical concern that forced acknowledgment of scenarios where noble intentions led to catastrophic outcomes.
"What if surrendering makes resistance impossible?" he countered with logic that proved he'd considered consequences from every angle. "Sera, once you're in federal custody, once they've established precedent for supernatural community oversight, there's no going back to autonomy."
The weight of decision settled around them like November snow, and she realized that choosing between individual sacrifice and community resistance meant choosing between two kinds of permanent loss.
"Elena's coming to the door," she observed, watching the federal investigator approach with professional composure that barely concealed frustrated determination.
"Let her come," Maddox said with predatory satisfaction that reminded her his nature included more than scholarly intensity. "It's time Elena learned what happens when federal authority threatens a supernatural community that's decided to defend itself."
They could see other residents emerging from their homes despite the early hour, their unified response to federal pressure proving that Hollow Oak's bonds transcended individual survival instincts.
As Elena's sharp knock echoed through their house, Sera realized that the next few minutes would determine not just her individual fate but the future of supernatural community autonomy in an increasingly surveillance-oriented world.
"Ready?" Maddox asked.
"Ready," she confirmed, their completed mate bond providing strength that individual courage couldn't achieve.
40
SERA
Elena's announcement carried the weight of federal authority backed by overwhelming force as she stood on their front porch surrounded by tactical agents whose presence transformed Hollow Oak's peaceful morning into something resembling a military operation.
"Sera Quinn, you are being taken into federal protective custody under the Supernatural Entities Registration Act," Elena said with professional efficiency that couldn't disguise her satisfaction at finally having legal justification for acquisition. "Any resistance will result in federal charges against all residents who interfere with lawful custody proceedings."
"The Supernatural Entities Registration Act?" Sera repeated, her journalist instincts recognizing the bureaucratic language designed to legitimize government overreach. "That's not a real law."
"Emergency federal legislation passed in response to documented supernatural threats to national security," Elena replied. "Your manifestation abilities and community concealment of supernatural entities constitute clear violations requiring immediate federal intervention."
Through their mate bond, Sera felt Maddox's protective fury building toward explosive levels as he processed the implications of retroactive legislation designed to criminalize their entire way of life.
"Emergency legislation that wasn't passed by Congress," he said with alpha authority that made several federal agents shift uncomfortably. "Executive orders that exceed constitutional authority."
"Constitutional authority that adapts to evolving national security threats," Elena countered with academic precision that proved she'd anticipated legal objections. "Supernatural entities and psychic weapons development fall under federal jurisdiction regardless of state or local preferences."
