Bewitched Chapter 35 Summary: Selene Discovers She Is a Soul Mate

⚠️ 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

Several days have passed since the spell circle incident, and Selene has not seen or heard from Kasey. At first relieved, Selene grows anxious as the silence stretches. While painting her nails with Sybil on the back patio, she overhears two coven sisters discussing Kasey’s disappearance since Saturday. The implication that Kasey might have been murdered disturbs Selene, who fears either her magic wounded Kasey that night or Memnon acted on her worry. Selene abruptly excuses herself, knocking over her nail polish, and flees to her room. There she hugs her familiar Nero, who grumpily allows the affection. Checking her phone, she sees texts from Sybil and a photo from her parents. The last notification is an email from Peel Academy containing her Awakening records. She opens the attached PDF and scrolls to the bottom, where the official results list only two categories: Witch and Soul Mate.

Key Events

Selene overhears coven sisters gossip that Kasey has been missing since Saturday.
She panics at the possibility that Kasey was murdered, either by her magic or by Memnon.
Selene leaves Sybil abruptly and retreats to her bedroom.
She comforts herself by hugging Nero, who reluctantly accepts the embrace.
Selene checks her phone and sees an email from Peel Academy with her Awakening record.
She opens the PDF and reads that her Awoken categories are Witch and Soul Mate.

Character Development

Selene is consumed by unresolved guilt and fear. Her initial relief at not seeing Kasey turns to dread, revealing her avoidance coping. She has not processed the weekend’s events and has kept them secret from Sybil, hoping her magic would erase the memories. Her flight from the patio and desperate need for solitude show a character overwhelmed by trauma. Seeking physical comfort from her usually aloof familiar indicates vulnerability. The Awakening reveal forces her to confront an identity she may have sensed but never confirmed: she is a soul mate.

Nero continues to be a grumpy but caring familiar. Despite his usual dislike of being touched, he allows Selene to hold him and even reciprocates by bumping his head against hers, underscoring the emotional bond between witch and familiar.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrets and Guilt: Selene carries her secret like a dirty shame, isolating herself from support. Her guilt over Kasey’s fate and her own Awakening results magnifies her internal burden.
Fear of Truth: Selene initially avoids the Awakening records, focusing on trivial texts, before finally opening the email. The delay reflects her terror of what she might learn.
Familiar Bond: Nero’s willingness to comfort Selene after her repeated rejection of physical touch mirrors the theme of unconditional support from nonhuman allies.
Identity Revelation: The Awakening document acts as a literal and symbolic unveiling. The simple label “Soul Mate” carries massive implications for Selene’s future and her connection to Memnon.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 35 is a turning point that formalizes Selene’s supernatural identity. Until now, she knew she was a witch, but the “Soul Mate” label confirms her bond with Memnon is not merely emotional or coincidental—it is supernatural. This revelation reframes earlier interactions and sets up the central conflict: how will Selene reconcile being a soul mate with her growing distrust of Memnon and her fear of his world? Additionally, Kasey’s unresolved disappearance creates suspense and ties Selene’s magic to potential harm, deepening the stakes.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Selene react so strongly to overhearing the coven sisters talk about Kasey?
Selene worries that her own magic may have wounded Kasey during the spell circle or that Memnon might have killed her after Selene expressed concern. The sisters’ speculation triggers her unresolved guilt and fear of being responsible for harm.
What does Selene’s interaction with Nero reveal about her emotional state?
Selene seeks physical comfort from Nero even though he is not normally affectionate. This shows she is desperate and vulnerable, needing a safe presence to ground her after fleeing from the social situation that upset her.
How does the Awakening record change the reader’s understanding of Selene’s relationship with Memnon?
The record explicitly lists “Soul Mate” as an awoken category, confirming that Selene and Memnon are bound by a supernatural destiny. This moves their connection from attraction or circumstance to a fated, magical bond, raising questions about free will and coercion.