LIM Excerpt part 2

Annika blinked up at her, her long, light brown lashes reminding Marion of a doe. “Did you get the book? And I very much hope the answer is yes,” Marion said.Annika swallowed nervously, and Marion tried not to frown. Damn the woman. “No, Cerdewellyn is watching me. He is suspicious.” This was not good news. “What did you tell him?” “Nothing. He does not know a thing,” she said sincerely.               Lucas was leaning against the wall, the fingers of one hand drumming against his lips, a sign of his impatience. She hated the drumming. The man needed sex or an empath. He’d been dry for a while now. 10 years? Maybe 20? It made him an unpleasant bastard.                     Annika touched her arm, hand slightly damp from nerves. Or fear. Both were a turn-on. “I would need a promise, Marion.”“My heart,” Marion said, knowing she was the picture of desire and concern. “I will promise you anything in the world. You know that.”Annika frowned. “No, from Lucas. I need a promise from him that he will let me live, and stay with you if I steal the book from Cer.”