Chapter 186

Ciara's POV I cloaked my aura as I examined Talia’s home from the inside. Her magical energy was much stronger within the house than I had sensed from the outside, so I took extra precautions. I scanned every room carefully, making sure she was alone. If there had been anyone else in the house, I wouldn’t have hesitated to eliminate them. Anyone aligned with her was a threat. She was indeed alone. Still, I noticed her body tense the moment I entered the room. She could feel me, even if she couldn’t see me yet. It was time to stop hiding. I revealed myself, stepping into full view. Her eyes widened in shock as she stumbled back. Her gaze swept over me, sizing me up, trying to understand how I had entered her home unnoticed. I could tell she recognized I wasn’t someone to take lightly. I kept my aura hidden as I studied her in return. She was stronger than I’d initially thought, but not nearly as powerful as she believed. Helping weaker witches with their spells had clearly inflated her