Bewitched Chapter 20 Summary: Dream of the Sorcerer and a Bloody Discovery

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Selene drifts into a vivid dream where she lies naked on a low, dark-wood bed, her cheek pressed against a soft sheet. Memnon is behind her, kissing up her spine and calling her “est amage.” She tenses at his voice. The room is lit by oil lamps, and their mingling magic swirls through the air in shades of orange, copper, lavender, and blue. Memnon flips her onto her back and asks what she is thinking. She admits she wants him to kiss her—on the lips. Instead, he teases her by kissing her breasts and then, after spreading her legs, presses his mouth to her folds. He murmurs that she is the only goddess he prays to, then performs oral sex on her. Selene cries out, desperate for more. When she tries to pull him up, Memnon refuses, saying he will make her ache because he too can be wrathful.

She wakes with a gasp, her hand between her legs and an orgasm retreating. Frustrated, she realizes her subconscious has fixated on Memnon again. A sound at her window draws her attention: Nero, her shadow-panther familiar, hops onto the sill and then onto her bed. She pets him and notices something wet and sticky on his fur. She casts a light spell and sees her fingers covered in bright red blood. Quickly entering his mind, she confirms the blood is not his. Nero seems unhurt. She asks if the blood came from a human; slowly, he nods. When she asks if the human is alive, the silence tells her the answer. She grabs her phone, sweatshirt, and shoes, then follows Nero out the window toward the body.

Key Events

Selene experiences an intense erotic dream in which Memnon orally pleasures her and then denies her completion.
She wakes alone, aroused and frustrated, realizing her dreams are fixated on the sorcerer.
Nero returns to her bedroom with blood on his fur.
Selene casts a light spell and discovers the blood is not Nero’s.
Through silent questions, she learns that Nero killed a human.
Selene prepares to follow Nero to the location of the body.

Character Development

Selene’s dream reveals a powerful internal conflict. She consciously knows Memnon is dangerous, yet her subconscious yearns for him. The dream also forces her to acknowledge her own sexual desires, which she finds unsettling. After waking, her frustration is mixed with a sense of helplessness—she cannot control her dreams or her attraction.

Her bond with Nero shows a different side of her character. She is immediately protective, jumping into his mind to check for injury. Her questions are direct and calm, revealing that she can handle grim realities. The decision to follow Nero without hesitation demonstrates her courage and her acceptance that she must confront the consequences of the supernatural world she inhabits.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Erotic Dreams as Forbidden Attraction: The dream sequence underscores the magnetic pull between Selene and Memnon. Her desire is at odds with her logic, and the dream becomes a space where that tension plays out without her conscious consent.

Blood as a Moral Marker: The blood on Nero’s fur introduces a sudden shift from fantasy to consequence. Blood symbolizes violence, death, and the inescapable weight of living alongside predatory magic. It forces Selene to face her familiar’s actions.

The Familiar Bond: Nero’s ability to communicate through nods and his willingness to lead Selene to the body highlight their deep, trusting relationship. He relies on her to handle the aftermath, reinforcing her role as a witch responsible for her magic’s effects.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for both the romantic and thriller threads of the story. It deepens the emotional bond between Selene and Memnon by giving her suppressed desires tangible form, raising the stakes of their eventual confrontation. Simultaneously, the discovery of a human killed by Nero introduces a serious, real-world consequence that cannot be ignored. Selene is no longer just dealing with her own internal turmoil; she must now manage the fallout of death. The chapter bridges her private fantasy and the violent reality of her magical life.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Selene feel conflicted about her dream of Memnon?
Answer: She is physically attracted to him, but she knows he is a dangerous sorcerer who has manipulated her before. The dream reveals her subconscious desire, which she rejects on a logical level, leaving her frustrated and uneasy.
How does Nero communicate the situation to Selene?
Answer: Nero uses physical actions—nodding and refusing to respond—to answer her yes-or-no questions. This shows that their bond allows for rudimentary, nonverbal understanding, and that Nero trusts Selene to interpret his signals.
What does the blood symbolize in the context of this chapter?
Answer: The blood shifts the narrative from Selene’s intimate, dream-driven desires to the harsh consequences of her familiar’s actions. It represents death, guilt, and the inevitable entanglement of the supernatural with human life, signaling that Selene cannot avoid accountability.

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