Page 33 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)
MADDOX
T he psychic connection between Sera and Grimjaw created visible energy distortions that made the air shimmer like heat mirages despite the October snow, and Maddox felt his mate's efforts to maintain communication through their developing bond.
Her consciousness was stretched thin by the strain of direct supernatural contact, but her determination to transform rather than destroy the manifestation blazed through their connection with intensity that made his protective instincts rage against his inability to share the burden.
"She's doing it," Emmett said quietly from his position near the fountain, where he maintained tactical surveillance of both the manifestation and federal agents. "Actual dialogue with a bone collector entity. I've never seen anything like it."
"None of us have," Maddox replied, his alpha senses tracking multiple threat levels while monitoring Sera's psychic exertion through their bond. "This is unprecedented in supernatural community records."
Through Elena's sophisticated surveillance equipment, federal agents were documenting evidence that would reshape their understanding of psychic abilities and supernatural cooperation.
But more importantly, residents of Hollow Oak were witnessing proof that their newest community member possessed gifts that could protect rather than endanger their carefully maintained sanctuary.
"The children," Maeve observed from her position near the elementary school group, her tactical awareness focused on potential civilian casualties. "They're not just unafraid—they're curious about what's happening."
Maddox followed her gaze to see young trick-or-treaters watching the communication attempt with fascination rather than terror, their natural acceptance of supernatural phenomena providing exactly the kind of positive reinforcement that could support Grimjaw's behavioral transformation.
"Community acceptance influences manifestation stability," he realized with academic excitement that cut through his protective anxiety. "If the children see Grimjaw as potential guardian rather than traditional threat, their belief could anchor the transformation Sera's negotiating."
"Provided she can sustain psychic contact long enough to complete the narrative restructuring," Varric observed, having appeared beside them with the silent movement that made him an effective elder despite his age.
"Direct communication with alien consciousness carries risks that extend beyond individual exhaustion. "
The warning proved accurate as Sera's connection to Grimjaw deepened, her human awareness stretching to accommodate supernatural intelligence that operated according to entirely different cognitive principles.
Through their mate bond, Maddox felt echoes of the creature's thought processes—ancient, patient, designed for purposes that predated modern understanding of individual versus collective consciousness.
"Sera," he called to her. "Remember your anchor. Remember who you are beyond the connection."
Her gratitude flooded through their bond as his words provided grounding that helped her maintain individual identity despite direct contact with entity whose nature threatened to overwhelm human cognitive structures.
"Protection," Grimjaw said, its voice carrying contemplation that proved it was processing Sera's proposal seriously. "Guardian purpose instead of hunter purpose. This is possible?"
"Possible through community choice," Sera replied, her voice strong despite the obvious strain of maintaining supernatural communication. "Stories change when the people telling them choose new endings. You can become the protector Hollow Oak needs instead of the threat outsiders fear."
The concept of choice seemed to resonate through Grimjaw's consciousness like earthquake through bedrock, fundamentally altering its understanding of what manifestation existence could involve.
"But the federal watchers," Grimjaw continued, its alien attention turning toward Elena's surveillance equipment with recognition that proved its intelligence extended beyond traditional folklore programming. "They seek to capture, to study, to use purpose for conflict rather than protection."
The observation that Grimjaw understood Elena's true agenda concerned Maddox as he realized the manifestation possessed awareness of political implications that extended far beyond individual community dynamics.
"Which is why transformation matters," Sera said, her psychic abilities apparently allowing her to sense connections between local supernatural phenomena and broader federal oversight concerns. "Proof that supernatural cooperation benefits communities rather than threatening national security."
"Cooperation," Grimjaw repeated, testing the concept against its original programming. "Not submission. Not capture. Partnership between manifestation and community."
"Partnership," Sera confirmed, and Maddox felt her certainty that they were succeeding in ways that transcended their original goals.
Federal agents were documenting revolutionary evidence of supernatural negotiation that could establish precedent for peaceful coexistence rather than government control.
But more importantly for Maddox, his mate was proving that her abilities served protection and cooperation rather than weapons development.
"The change requires community acceptance," Grimjaw said, its massive form beginning to shimmer with energy patterns that suggested fundamental transformation was possible. "All voices choosing new purpose together."
"All voices," Sera agreed, turning to address the assembled residents of Hollow Oak who had gathered to witness unprecedented supernatural communication. "Everyone who calls this place home, choosing protection over destruction, cooperation over conflict, community over isolation."
The response was immediate and overwhelming as supernatural residents, gifted humans, and even the children raised their voices in unanimous agreement that echoed across the snow-covered square with the kind of harmonic resonance that could reshape reality itself.
"We choose protection," the community declared with one voice. "We choose guardianship. We choose transformation."
The words carried power that went beyond simple agreement, tapping into the collective belief and shared narrative that gave folklore its strength.
Through his mate bond, Maddox felt Sera's triumph as Grimjaw began the fundamental alteration from threat to protector, its purpose rewritten through community choice rather than individual will.
But even as transformation began, Elena's federal agents moved with professional efficiency that suggested documentation had evolved into acquisition, and Maddox realized that their success in supernatural cooperation might have provided exactly the evidence Elena needed to justify expanded government intervention.
"Sera," he called, his alpha instincts recognizing tactical shift that transformed witness into target. "It's time to go."