Free Forever Valentine by Bianca D'Arc

furiously as he clutched a small parchment-colored business card in one hand.
    “Put down the phone.” Ian put all the influence he could into his voice. The doctor struggled against the command, but the phone settled into its cradle as Ian moved forward. He was pleased to note Jena closing and locking the door to the office behind them. Ian plucked the card out of Dick’s hand and glanced at it before tucking it into his pocket for further study. He knew the name well. Benjamin Steel was one of the few Altor Custodis agents Ian had been able to identify in this state, though he knew there were more. There had to be.
    It was significant that Ben had given Dick his card. Could the Altor Custodis already know of Jena’s bloodlines? Probably. That ancient sect had watched and tracked supernaturals through more centuries than Ian had lived. They were probably watching Jena and her mother as well, which was as comforting as it was frightening. They watched and recorded, but they probably wouldn’t lift a finger to help if either of them were truly in danger. Ian began to wonder if the silver bracelet Dick had tried to give Jena on Valentine’s Day was more sinister than he’d originally thought. Had it been a test of some sort? Did Dick know or suspect what she was?
    “Fucking vampire!” Dick accused in a wobbly voice. Ian turned his full attention back to the matter at hand. That certainly answered some of his questions. Ian shook his head and made a tsking noise.
    “I honestly didn’t think you had any imagination whatsoever, Dick. I can’t say I’m glad to find out I was wrong.” Ian tugged Jena close to his side, tucking her under his arm. It was an obvious claim of ownership that wasn’t lost on the sniveling mortal man. Ian nearly laughed aloud when Dick’s chin rose stubbornly.
    “Get away from her. You scum-sucking vampire!” Dick actually reached for his pocket and came up with a small cross he proceeded to wave at him. Luckily it was made of gold, not silver. Little did the mongrel know Ian had been a devout Catholic all his long life. Crosses—as long as they were not made of silver—held no fear for him. In fact, they represented the God he’d sworn his life to many times over since he’d been born all those centuries ago.
    But Dick was starting to really piss him off.
    Ian put Jena behind him and turned to snarl at the other man, baring his fangs and allowing the fire to creep into his eyes. He knew it made him look like a demon, and perhaps that’s what he needed in this case. A little show of otherworldly strength might help him take the measure of this man he had previously underestimated.
    “Back off, doctor. I won’t warn you again.”
    The hand holding the cross shook as Ian stalked forward. Gently, almost reverently, he took the cross from Dick’s trembling hands and kissed it with respect before placing it aside, safely out of harm’s way. It really was a beautiful piece, heavy with age and many blessings that sent soothing energy through Ian when he touched it.
    Perhaps that was the reason he felt pity for the sniveling man. Perhaps it was the reminder of his faith that stayed his hand when he could so easily have killed the good doctor. Knowledge of his kind could not be allowed to spread. It was their most sacred law and one he’d vowed to uphold.
    Or perhaps his rare compassion was spurred on by the soft, feminine voice of love in his mind.
    Don’t hurt him, Ian.
    Ian sighed as he used his considerable mental powers to overcome Dick’s weak mind. The man slumped to the floor in a heap, unconscious. He turned frustrated eyes to his mate briefly.
    “He knows, Jena. That’s not something I can ignore. Our law says he has to be contained.”
    “Killed, you mean,” she scoffed. “Look, Ian. Regardless of how I feel about him personally, he is a good doctor. He saves a lot of lives. It would be a shame to lose his talent in the world when there are so many sick people who need