Page 41 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)
SERA
E lena'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."
"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 made federal 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.