Isaac interrupts Bree and Nick by summoning Nick to meet Lord Davis in the antechamber. Nick reluctantly leaves, warning Bree with his eyes, and Bree immediately senses Isaac’s danger. Isaac identifies Bree as the Unanedig girl, and Bree’s grandmother briefly speaks from inside her before Bree shuts that connection down to focus.

Sel intervenes before Isaac can press further, revealing that Isaac is a Master Merlin and one of Sel’s former teachers. Sel pointedly notes another attack at the Northern Chapter, then uses a dance as an excuse to pull Bree away. Once they are alone among the dancers, Sel warns Bree never to meet a Master Merlin’s eyes because Isaac’s mesmer is far stronger and faster than Sel’s.

While dancing, Bree asks whether aether can be attached to existing objects. Sel explains that such a casting would require constant attention and could only last hours, not months or years. Bree connects this to her mother’s bracelet, which carries aether and unlocked a memory when touched, and Sel says that kind of long-term, touch-triggered memory work should be impossible by Order magic.

The conversation turns personal. Sel offers to help Bree investigate but admits he may still be replaced because of fears about his demonic inheritance and what they learned about his mother. Bree silently tries to reassure him that she is not afraid of him. Their charged exchange deepens when Sel compliments Bree, learns that Bree can smell his magic, and then notices Nick watching them jealously from near the stage.

Lord Davis clears the room of outsiders, locks the doors, and addresses the Southern Chapter. He warns that increased demon crossings signal the beginning of Camlann, leads the Order in its pledge, and begins Selection. William chooses Whitty as his Squire, Pete chooses Greer despite murmurs and prejudice from the crowd, and Nick finally steps forward as Scion of Arthur. Bree expects him to choose Sydney, and Nick announces that he selects Page Matthews as his Squire.