Andrew: Lanning’s Leap: Erotica Shapeshifter Romance (Lanning's Leap Book 5) by Kathi S. Barton Page B

do anything for you.” Cyrus shook his head, and Nic felt his pain. “You’re here for him then? He has a letter for Laci.”
    “I do and he does. I am sorry about this. I have no say over what he commands me to do.” Nic nodded and turned when Andrew came into the hall with Laci. “When I have gone, will you please explain to them? I should like to, someday if it is possible, come back to talk to them. When there are no ill feelings between us.”
    “I will.”
    Cyrus nodded and smiled at Laci. Nic looked at her too and wondered if she had any idea what or even how much magic his dad had given her. He was sure that Cyrus did as well as the rest of them, but Laci was going to have to learn. Then Nic had a thought. Did his dad know what was coming?
    “My lady.” Cyrus bowed before Laci, and she took a step back from the door. The vampire nodded as if he understood and had expected the shun, but only smiled at her. “I have a letter for you. It is from my sire.”
    “Your father? I don’t know who that is. Why would he—?” Andrew must have told her because she became embarrassed and told Cyrus she was sorry. “I’m new to this whole magic stuff. And shifters and things like that in general. Please forgive me. But I still have no idea who your maker is. Nor why he would be writing to me.”
    “I am but the messenger my lady, please remember that when you read this.” Cyrus looked at Andrew as he continued. “Might I suggest that you do not invite me in? I should like to be within the warmth of your family if only for a moment, but I think it best that you do not. My intentions are not worthy today. I have been set on a task that is not of my making, and I don’t know what will happen once she has touched this letter. The magic on it is connected to me somehow, I think.”
    “He wants you to hurt her. Or something else.” Cyrus held out the envelope and said nothing. Andrew nodded and spoke again. “I will kill you if this causes any harm to her. I’m a mite on edge today, what with all that has been going on lately. So as you said, you aren’t worthy today and you try anything, I will kill you.”
    “And I would not fight you. Life since I have been awakened has not been what I had expected. My past is...gone for me.” Nic watched the two men, and when Laci took the envelope, he was almost afraid for her. Cyrus spoke again, quietly this time. “Careful, my lady. Once opened it cannot be closed again.”
    “I’m not going to open it at all. You delivered it under duress, right?” Cyrus nodded. “Well, you did your part. Now I’m going to do mine.”
    When she asked for a lighter, his dad came forward and put out his hand. There was a flame in his palm and Laci only stared at it for several seconds before she started to put the letter in it. But she looked at Cyrus again.
    “You should go now. I don’t want him to ask you if I read it or something and you have to lie.” Cyrus told her that he couldn’t lie to his master. “Oh. Well, you should go anyway. What you don’t see for sure, you won’t have to tell him, correct?”
    Cyrus smiled. “You are much more brilliant than he believes you to be. Nay, I cannot tell him what I do not know.” He bowed before her again. “I am in your debt, my lady. So long as I live.”
    “And I yours.” He started to fade out, but she called him back. “Cyrus, if you need me or anyone in this family for any reason, call to us. We will help you as you have me today. Because even though I only just met you, I don’t think you’re as bad as the man that holds you right now.”
    After he was gone, Nic looked at Laci with new eyes. He was sure that she had no idea what she’d just done. Or what gift had been given to her from Cyrus. The trust of a vampire and a promise. She too had given Cyrus more in these last few minutes than he’d had in all of his dark existence.
    “This envelope? What kind of shit might be in it?” Nic told Laci that he had no