Chapter 13

Two months after Selwyn Kane appeared, Natasia records an audio log about the original Merlin. She explains that Merlin, a balanced cambion, embedded sorcerer abilities and magical Oaths into his descendants, making later Merlins born with powers but vulnerable to progressive demonic traits.

Natasia argues that the Order has framed Merlin descendants’ development as moral failure and inevitable demonia, when it may instead be a natural progression distorted by Order ideology. With Faye Matthews’s herbal knowledge, Natasia created an intervention that helped preserve Natasia’s humanity and demonic strength into adulthood, but Natasia admits the same method is failing with Selwyn.

Selwyn interrupts from the darkness, speaking to Natasia for the first time in two months to state that the treatment does not work. Natasia observes that the tonics have stabilized Selwyn emotionally but not reversed Selwyn’s intensifying hungers or physical changes. Natasia has warded the cabin from discovery but has not trapped Selwyn inside, because Natasia refuses to imprison Selwyn unless safety demands it.

Natasia tries to separate Selwyn’s condition from the Regents’ beliefs, but Selwyn answers with anger over Natasia’s absence. Selwyn says Selwyn grew up believing Natasia died heroically, while Selwyn’s father remarried grief itself. When Natasia regrets not teaching Selwyn sooner, Selwyn rejects the imagined version of himself Natasia wishes existed and says Natasia’s absence, not Selwyn’s demon, is what Selwyn learned to survive.

Natasia shifts to the research Natasia has done into Martin Davis’s death, Nicholas, and the condition of Selwyn’s Kingsmage Oath. Natasia mentions learning that Martin kidnapped his son, the Lines were called, and Nicholas pulled Excalibur, but Selwyn corrects Natasia: Nicholas never pulled Excalibur and was never in line to be king, and neither was Martin. Selwyn says both Natasia and Selwyn were bonded to impostors, then refuses to name the true Scion of Arthur.

Before leaving, Selwyn smiles with a hungry, predatory expression when Natasia asks who the true Scion is. Natasia realizes the thought of this unknown Arthur Scion provokes something dangerous in Selwyn and fears what Selwyn wants from that person, whether service, protection, worship, or devouring pursuit. Selwyn ends the exchange by returning to Selwyn’s room and slamming the door.