"It was a bit unexpected."
Ronan smiled at Audrey Norton. "When did you come to Ceres?"
More than half a year had passed since they last met. The young witch's bearing had become even more refined. Tonight, she wore an exquisite lady's dress, looking every inch like a noble young miss raised in a secluded boudoir.
She exuded an air of wealth and nobility.
"I only arrived last month."
Audrey Norton sat down beside Ronan and called for a maid to bring her a glass of champagne.
"To our reunion."
She raised her glass, exchanged a smile with Ronan, and some of the distance between them vanished without notice.
Ronan asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid of the Church?"
Witches were extraordinary beings who could cast spells by drawing upon the power of the Blood Moon. They were few in number and exceedingly mysterious.
So far, Audrey Norton was the only witch Ronan knew.
Yet unlike the witches of legend, who were like divine dragons that showed their heads but never their tails, she appeared openly at a Holy Fire Society salon.
More importantly, this was Ceres, the royal capital!
According to rumor, witches had always been mortal enemies of the Yara Church. The Church would burn every witch it captured.
Without ever showing mercy!
And Ceres was where the Yara Church's power was at its strongest. The Great Temple of Yara near Cherith Street was renowned far and wide. Ronan had even seen the sacrificial stakes standing before the temple two days ago!
Those were specifically used to burn witches and vampires.
"Not afraid."
Audrey Norton blinked. "As long as you don't report me, I'll definitely be fine."
She was naturally joking.
The Yara Church had once been witches' great enemy. During the Dark Age several centuries ago, the Inquisition