Page 53 of Furever Bound
"We're not weapons," Sera said with growing anger that sent psychic energy crackling through the November air in visible patterns of gold and silver light. "We're people who chose to build something beautiful together."
"People whose abilities have been documented manifesting dangerous supernatural entities that required community mobilization to contain," Elena replied with clinical detachment that reduced Grimjaw's transformation to federal threat assessment.
Grimjaw re-emerged from the forest with protective determination that made every federal agent reach for weapons they were not equipped to use against supernatural entities ancient authority that seemed to resonate through the very foundations of Hollow Oak. "The community will not be harmed. The protection I was given, I now give in return."
"Federal agents are prepared to use appropriate force against hostile supernatural entities," Elena warned with professional composure that couldn't hide her nervousness at facing an eight-foot guardian whose bone antlers gleamed with protective fire.
"Then federal agents will discover what happens when they threaten us," came a new voice from behind the government forces.
Sera turned to see the entire supernatural community of Hollow Oak emerging from their homes with unified determination that transformed residential streets into tactical positions. Emmett and Callum flanked Elena's agents with military precision, Maeve positioned herself where crossbow accuracy could provide covering fire, and even Miriam appeared armed with what looked suspiciously like a combat-ready knitting needle.
"This is impressive community organization," Elena observed with academic interest that suggested she was cataloging intelligence rather than recognizing her tactical disadvantage. "Almost like you've been preparing for federal intervention."
"We've been preparing to protect our home," Twyla said, approaching with fae grace that made the air shimmer around her movements. "Something federal agents apparently don't understand."
"Federal agents understand that supernatural concealment represents clear threats to national security," Elena replied with bureaucratic authority that sounded increasingly hollow when surrounded by residents whose abilities she'd systematically underestimated.
"Show them," Sera said quietly. "Show them what protection really looks like."
The response was immediate and overwhelming as everyone who had abilities allowed them to manifest simultaneously. Protective barriers shimmed into visibility around the town's perimeter, communication spells created network connections that bypassed electronic surveillance, and defensive enchantments activated with power that madefederal equipment malfunction in spectacular displays of electromagnetic feedback.
"This is what you're threatening," Sera continued with growing confidence in her community's unified strength. "Not weapons or threats or national security risks. Families who protect each other, neighbors who've built something worth defending, people whose abilities serve love rather than destruction."
Elena's professional composure finally cracked as she realized her federal authority was meaningless when confronted with supernatural community whose bonds transcended bureaucratic intimidation.
"This won't end here," she said with bureaucratic determination that proved federal pressure would continue regardless of immediate tactical failure. "Higher authorities will be informed of organized supernatural resistance to federal oversight."
"Higher authorities can try to find us," Varric said with diplomatic calm that carried undertones of ancient power. "Assuming they can locate a community that doesn't want to be found."
As Elena and her federal agents retreated to reconsider their approach to supernatural community that had demonstrated abilities far beyond their prepared protocols, Sera realized that protecting their sanctuary had evolved beyond individual resistance into collective defense of principles that transcended government authority.
"Is it over?" she asked, though the way Elena's retreat felt tactical rather than final suggested their confrontation had entered new phase rather than reaching conclusion.
"It's just beginning," Maddox replied with alpha certainty that carried through their mate bond. "But now we face it as a united community rather than isolated individuals."
Through Hollow Oak's streets, supernatural residents began the work of strengthening defenses that would protect their sanctuary from future federal interference, their unified efforts proving that some bonds were stronger than bureaucratic authority could break.
41
MADDOX
The transformation of Hollow Oak from peaceful mountain town to supernatural fortress happened with efficiency that proved their community had been preparing for federal confrontation far longer than Elena realized. Within hours of the agents' retreat, protective barriers that had been carefully concealed became visible manifestations of power that made the town impossible to locate for anyone who approached with hostile intentions.
"Concealment fae magic, hedge witch protection spells, and shifter territorial marking," Maddox catalogued as he walked the perimeter with Sera, noting how individual abilities had combined into collective defense that transcended the sum of its parts. "Elena's federal colleagues are going to have significant difficulty finding us again."
"Finding us to do what?" Sera asked, her enhanced psychic awareness picking up resonances from the protective barriers that felt like being embraced by the town itself.
"To justify the federal resources they've already committed to supernatural community oversight," he replied grimly, his academic mind working through political implications thatextended far beyond their individual situation. "Elena's failure here will require explanation to federal authorities who don't accept defeat easily."
He felt Sera's growing understanding that their victory over federal acquisition had created larger political problems that could affect supernatural communities throughout the country.
"So they'll find other targets," she realized with horror at the thought of Elena's federal pressure being redirected toward communities that lacked Hollow Oak's unified defensive capabilities.
"Unless we provide them with reasons to abandon supernatural oversight entirely," he said, the solution crystallizing as he processed their tactical advantages. "Evidence that supernatural communities serve national interests rather than threatening them."
"Evidence like successful cooperation between federal authorities and supernatural entities?" Sera asked with sharp intelligence that immediately grasped the political possibilities.
"Evidence like a supernatural community that chooses to share beneficial abilities rather than hiding from government attention," he confirmed, though the plan he was developing involved risks that made his protective instincts rage against exposure.
