Page 16 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

When Anise moved, Caraway held her back.

The witch clicked her tongue. “Now, now, Guardian. Is that any way to behave?”

“Don’t make the deal, Anise,” he said over his shoulder. “You don’t need to change. You’re perfect the way you are.”

All humor in the witch’s face flatlined. She glared at Caraway. “You don’t get a say in her choice when you haven’t been honest about your true reason for being here.”

Anise stiffened and locked on Caraway. “What’s she talking about?”

Guilt flashed over his features.

“Caraway?” she prompted.

“I’m here on a mission,” he admitted. “For the Order.”

She stepped away from him, shocked. So... he wasn’t here to support her? It had been a ruse?

“Anise,” he reached for her, but she stepped further back and he flinched. “It doesn’t change the fact I don’t want you to make a bargain with this female. Please don’t. I’m begging you.”

“All this time,” she said, “I thought maybe you actually missed me. That’s why you came to see me after two years, but it wasn’t. You’re only using me to get to the Ice-Witch, aren’t you?”

His lack of an answer was all she needed to know.

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