Selwyn Kane

>
> "You called me a monster once, maybe you were right. It looks like I came from one." — Selwyn, *Legendborn*
>
>
>
> “Long story. But Sel’s okay. Back to being more asshole than demon.” — Bree Matthews, *Bloodmarked*
>
>

## Biographical Information

### Nicknames

* Sel
* Crossroads Child (by Bree)
* Blood traitor (by Shadowborn)
* Fang boy (by Alice)

### Physical Features

* 6’1
* Black curly hair
* Amber-yellow eyes

## Affiliations

### Family

* Unnamed Father
* Natasia Kane (mother)
* Martin Davis † (adoptive father)
* Merlin † (ancestor)

### Relationships

* Bree Matthews (love interest)
* Victoria Morgan (ex-girlfriend)

**Selwyn Kane**, better known as **Sel**, is the Kingsmage and Merlin of the Southern Chapter of the Order. Sel is one of the most powerful Merlins in years.

## Biography

### Early Life

Selwyn was born to Natasia Kane, who he believed was killed by an uchel during a mission, and a human father. He was a precocious child, so he often snuck into his mom's office to read her gramarye and those of Merlins in the past. After his mother's supposed death, his father became an alcoholic and Sel was removed from his care. He was admitted to a residential Merlin academy in Asheville, North Carolina. At ten years old, Sel took the Kingsmage Oath to Nick Davis, who was believed to be the Scion of Arthur, making Sel Nick's protector until death. He moved in with the Davis family home. While his parents were absent, Martin Davis was kind and generous. Not long after he showed up, Nicholas began to see his father’s praise and attention as a zero-sum game. And since Sel was obedient, he received those things whereas Nick didn’t receive as much. Over time, jealousy became anger, anger became resentment for both of them. As children, they manipulate Lord Davis' regard by pulling rank and title to suit their whims. And that's outside of the sparring arena. Within it, Sel gave Nick his share of bruises and black eyes and even broken bones, in the name of making him a better warrior, better king, better opponent. They both learned how to exploit their bond by finding the loopholes.

### Legendborn

Selwyn is a junior at UNC. Selwyn is at the Eno Quarry party where he meets Bree before killing the Shadowborn with Tor. He senses something different about Bree and is very hostile towards her, believing she is a Shadowborn here to incite chaos. He threatens her on several occasions. Sel leads the first trial of the Pages' tournament. He creates six aether construct hellboars for the Pages to battle against. Immediately after the first trial concludes, Nick is attacked by a hellsnake. He's wrapped head to toe in a coil of muscle. Sel climbs up the demon's body and thrusts his hands into the hellsnake's eyes, up to the elbow, killing it. Sel goes with Nick to Tap Rail, a downtown bar, where the Legendborn are having a night out.

At the second trial, Sel decides that he will be Bree's partner to monitor her progress on the scavenger hunt. Nick is very angry at having to leave Sel and Bree alone. During the trial, Sel ambushes Bree in the cemetery with hellhound constructs. While questioning Bree, still convinced she's a goruchel in disguise, they are attacked by real demons, a group of hellfoxes. While escaping from the hellfoxes through the underground tunnel, Sel finally realizes that Bree is not in fact a demon. Leaving the tunnels, they think they've gotten away, but the hellfoxes have tracked them. They begin fighting them off. During the attack, Sel sees Bree's root appear. She punches one through the mouth using her root-covered hand. Sel kills the remaining demons and then helps Bree get her hand out of the hellfox. It's the first time he shows her kindness. When Nick finds out what happened, he punches Sel. He tells Sel he'd felt his desire to kill Bree through their bond and he begs Sel to leave Bree alone because of what it does to him. William bars Sel from performing the Warrior's Oath to bond Sarah and Tor until he calms down. He's able to calm down enough to do the Oath. However, then Nick, Sel, and Lord Davis have an argument over the phone that results in a smashed chair and both boys storming out of the Lodge.

In preparation for the final trial in the tournament, Sel spars with Owen Roberts, a Liege who is helping train the Pages. On the final night of training, Sel helps Bree so she can use her advantages better, resulting in her passing the third trial. While aether-drunk, Sel confesses to Bree that Martin threatened to strip him of his Oaths, which is essentially considered a form of torture for Merlins because their Oaths are the only thing holding their two sides, demon and human, together. Without their Oaths, Merlins succumb to their blood and lose their humanity. Bree feels guilty that it was his meddling in her life that caused this and offers to help him. He quickly turns her down, saying he still has his dignity.

On the day after the third trial, Bree and Sel go snooping through Lord Davis' private study in his home looking for evidence of Bree's mom having contact with the Order. They bring back their discoveries to the Lodge. They discover shocking truths about both their mothers. Bree then begs Sel to erase her memories. When he refuses, she flees the Lodge and swears to never join the Order.

At the Selection Gala, Bree and Sel have a shared moment together before being interrupted by Lord Davis' announcements. When Bree is requested to be Nick's Squire and accepts, the crowd tries to reach Bree. Sel promptly throws her over his shoulder and takes her to an empty room. She asks him to get Nick, which he does.

Sel performs the Warrior's Oath for Whitty and William and then for Greer and Pete. Suddenly, Sel senses a full-corp hellhound just off campus. He, Felicity, and Russ go after it. After killing it, Sel senses another demon on South campus. While they kill it, Russ gets injured, so they go back to the Lodge. Then Sel senses a third demon on mid-campus. He goes with Sarah and Tor to kill it. When Tor is severely injured trying to kill the hellfox and hellcougar, Sarah takes her back to the Lodge, leaving Sel to stay and kill the demons.

Sel arrives in the middle of the battle at the Cave of the Dragon. He has shapeshifted into an eagle owl. Rhaz is holding Bree, threatening her if Nick doesn't take up Excalibur. Sel throws an aether dagger, which hits Rhaz in the throat. Thinking he's dead, Sel goes towards Rhaz. Rhaz isn't dead though, and he and Sel begin fighting. Rhaz knocks Sel unconscious. Sel regains consciousness as Nick fails to draw Excalibur, Bree becomes possessed by Vera and Arthur and pulls Excalibur, shocking everyone. Martin tells the Legendborn to stop Bree, but they refuse and Sel steps to Bree's side. Rhaz orders the demons to kill Bree. Bree uses her strength of will to take back control to stop the Legendborn from fighting with her by erecting a barrier. As she fights the demons, Sel breaks through Bree's barrier and joins her, with the others following behind. After Rhaz and the other demons are finally killed, Arthur demands that the Legendborn kneel. Bree pleads with them not to, but they do, with Sel being the first. Bree then passes out and Sel carries her back to Nick's room at the Lodge.

The next morning, they discover that Nick has been kidnapped by Isaac and Martin. Sel had been up late in the kitchen after they all returned from the cave, unable to sleep. Isaac mesmered him and Sel woke up thirty minutes ago to find himself two miles from the Lodge. He spends the day with the Legendborn discussing what their next moves should be. That night, Sel and Bree have a heart-to-heart about what she saw in her visions before Arthur took over. Bree tells him that the Merlin at the hospital the night her mom died was Natasia. She hadn't "succumbed to her blood," meaning Merlins might not be limited to only having their Oaths as the way to keep the balance between their demon and human sides. Sel looks at her intimately and says, "You are my king now, *cariad*." Bree doesn't want to know what that word might mean, so she says nothing in reply. They go to the Eno Quarry so Bree can cliff jump.

### Bloodmarked

A month has passed since Nick was kidnapped. Bree and William are at the arena at the Lodge so Bree can practice controlling her powers. Bree creates a root shockwave that attracts Sel, but also attracts hellfoxes. Sel fights them off, just as the Mageguard arrive with Erebus. Sel is forced to go into hiding to avoid being taken prisoner by the Regents. The next night, Larkin Douglas is driving Bree to the Cave of the Dragon for the Rite of Kings when they are attacked by a demon. Sel comes out of hiding in order to save Bree. When the Mageguard and Erebus arrive, they arrest Sel and place void cuffs, or *cyffion gwacter* on him, cutting him off from aether. Larkin breaks him out and brings him to the private plane the Lieges are using to rescue Bree, Alice, Sel, and Whitty from the Order.

***TBA***

Valec reveals to Bree that Sel has been mesmering her. He didn't want Bree to see how "inhuman" and "demonic" he was becoming as he went longer and longer without fulfilling his Oaths. Bree is furious and heartbroken, as she feels like Sel betrayed her. She doesn't trust Sel and questions her own feelings for him, wondering if they were just part of his mesmer. He denies it, saying he only cast physical illusions on his appearance.

***TBA***

On her birthday, Sel tries to heal their relationship by taking her to a beautiful clearing near Volition. They finally about what the word “cariad” means, which is “love” in Welsh. Bree is unsure and questions if they would be acting like this if Nick were there. Sel pushes Bree to admit her feelings without judging them and they share a passionate kiss. Bree says they shouldn’t have done that, but Sel makes her say the truth, that she did mean to kiss him.

***TBA***

Upon feeling Sel's bloodlust through their bond, Nick contacts Gillian Hanover. They pick him up and go to get Sel. The group then heads to the Northern Chapter where Bree, possessed by Arthur, has been taken. When they arrived at the Northern Chapter's keep, they find the leader of the Morgaines, Ava, about to kill Bree/Arthur. Nick and Sel convince Ava to let them try and rescue Bree from Arthur's dream, where she's been trapped. While they are successfully able to bring Bree back, Sel ends up sacrificing his humanity in the process. With Arthur gone, Bree convinces Ava not to kill her because she is trying to take down the Regents.

As part of her bargain with the Shadow King, Bree has him bring Sel to Natasia in the hopes that she will help Sel recover his humanity. The Shadow King tells Bree that Natasia made no promises, but it's clear Bree is hoping that Natasia won't give up on her son.

## Physical Description

Sel is 6’1" and "unsettlingly beautiful" due to his demon heritage. Despite being eighteen years old, he looks older. "His face is aristocratic and sharp, framed by high, pale cheekbones. He has thick, ink-black hair that falls over his forehead and curls just below gauged ears bearing small black rubber plugs." Sel has a lean build with a body built for agility and speed. Banded muscles wrap from his abdomen to his chest and he has toned arms. He has dark hawkish brows, a hawk-shaped nose, and an elegant mouth. His expression is lazy with disdain. As a cambion he has naturally tawny eyes that change color on a gradient of gold to red and black, depending on close he is to succumbing to his demon blood. They glow depending on how much aether he is using. His demon heritage is also why he is supernaturally beautiful, has a distinctive voice, and his canines are elongated into fangs that just touch his bottom lip. He has long fingers and wears multiple silver rings. All over his body are intricate black and gray tattoos of symbols encircle his arms, cover his shoulders, and connect in a Celtic knot on his breastbone. The tattoo claiming most of one forearm is a bold black circle divided by five lines into five equal segments. Each segment is for one of the elements: earth, air, water, fire, and aether. Another tattoo spans his back and stretches across his ribs. It's a tattoo of charcoal-and-obsidian feathers. He tends to wear black clothes at all times. Sel has a sonorous voice.

## Personality

Sel is hostile, volatile, rude, caustic, and distrusting. He is arrogant, ruthless, sarcastic, and anti-social. Russ says that “the worst part about Sel is that you’re never sure if it’s safe to talk shit about him behind his back.”

Sel is also a highly tenacious person, often willing to go to extreme lengths to fulfill his goals. His paranoia drives him to be extremely hyper-vigilant, treating everything and anything as a threat until his own eyes and facts prove otherwise. This stubborn mentality can override Sel’s rationality and better judgement, leading him to make some truly disastrous mistakes, like dedicating his time to exposing Bree whom at first, he mistakenly believed to be an Uchel hiding among them. Bree once said that "if you're not Sel's prey, you're not worth his time." He takes his Oaths very seriously to the point where if he fails even a little to carry out what he promised, he can spiral into moods of intense guilt, frustration, and self loathing.

For example, despite being framed for crimes he did not commit, Sel still planned to plead guilty at his trial, because he genuinely believed he had failed in his duty to protect others. He holds himself to very high standards, and cannot forgive himself for making a mistake. Although most of his great dedication to his goals is a result of being magically obligated due to his oaths, he is capable of showing that same intense devotion to people he genuinely cares about, mainly with Bree.

Sel once said to Bree “No other Merlin can protect you like I can, because no other Merlin feels about you the way I do.” This shows he can be highly protective and loyal to the people he cares about, even without being magically compelled to do so. This loyalty was so unwavering that he was able to perform a truly incredible feat of magic where he once cast thousands of flexible microscopic aether constructs and manipulated them for three hours straight in order to save Bree’s life. William commented that the effort would’ve killed any other Merlin and it did nearly cause Sel’s death. This feat speaks to Sel’s great mental resilience and the self sacrificial behavior he can exhibit.

A source of apprehension and shame for Sel is him slowly succumbing to his demon blood as a result of not carrying out his oaths. This fear drove him to put a visual illusion on Bree without her knowledge when his appearance started changing because of his demonic blood. He did this because he was afraid of her seeing the parts of himself that are monstrous, though his plan ended up backfiring and temporarily straining their relationship even further.

Underneath his mean, tough exterior, Sel can be kind, patient, and gentle when he wants to. He only willingly shows this side of himself with someone whom he trusts enough to be emotionally vulnerable with. He is also capable of showing remorse for his wrongdoings, though he does not usually expect forgiveness. Sometimes he will try to make amends, like when he apologized to Bree for the times he took out his anger on her and attempted to be more considerate of her feelings.

Sel is very intelligent and more knowledgeable on Aether than most people due to studying his mother’s research.

## Powers and Abilities

    Sel is the most powerful Merlin child of his generation, a Kingsmage, and the Sargeant-at-Arms of the Southern Chapter. Like any other merlin he is essentially a super soldier, has an affinity for aether, which includes his ability to: mesmer; shapeshift; construct; shapeshift; and create wards. Selwyn Kane is the son of Natasia Kane, coming from a powerful Merlin bloodline. Sel's mage flame is silver blue, and his aether smells like charred cinnamon and whiskey.

### Aether Skill

* Sel can feel his own castings (or sense its absence), and can sense a Shadowborn a mile away.
* He can construct 40 objects and hell hounds, all at once, remotely, but he needs to reinforce them if it lasts more than a couple of hours. But the most impressive construct he ever done, and one of the most impressive any Merlin did, he created life support for Bree for 3 hours before almost dying.
* Sel can shapeshift into a "huge eagle owl" (a rare abilities among Merlins).
* Sel can “heal” his broken bones in a matter of minutes.
* After Bree shared some of her power he was able to smell and taste her aether, and his eyes were the same as her root.

### Abilities

* Since young Selwyn learn about his demon knowledge, training to use is aether and to protect the Scion of Arthur.
* Selwyn is very athletic and an amazing fighter, even when blocked from his aether.

## Relationships

### Natasia Kane

Sel and Natasia used to have a very close relationship. They loved each other very much. Natasia used to play the violin for Sel when he was young, and they studied demonology together. Sel was heartbroken when he was told that his mom was killed in an uchel attack. While snooping through Lord Davis’ study, they find an affidavit from 1995 in which Martin claims Natasia opened the Gates to allow Shadowborn to cross over. Sel was unaware of this and feels betrayed. When Bree ensures her bargain with the Shadow King includes bringing Sel to Natasia after he succumbs to his demon blood, the Shadow King says that she didn’t say she would help him, and Bree says she knows but it’s clear she’s hoping Natasia won’t give up on her son.

### Nicholas Davis

Nick and Selwyn have a very complicated and contentious relationship. When they first met Sel was ten and Nick was nine. The two did not get along. Nick thought Sel was cruel, and Sel thought Nick was entitled. Due to their bond, they took on the other's emotions as if they were their own, which was the first time they understood each other. Sel moved in with the Davises when he was ten years old.

When Sel was thirteen he thought Nick was all the positive things he thought he wasn’t: bright, open, popular, and heroic. To Sel, Nick made everything look easy, and Sel wanted to be close to that. Sel “fell in love with Nick,” or at least his version of Nick. Later he realizes that what he felt for Nick wasn’t healthy. It was adoration poisoned with mutual spite. Sel understood how to be Nick’s bodyguard but didn’t understand how to be his friend or how to ask him to be his.

Over time jealousy became anger which became resentment. Sel tells Bree that Nick's "petty childhood concerns and daddy issues" don't matter to the Order's mission and Nick should have been "preparing himself for the Call instead of whining about his duty." The Kingsmage Oath means that Sel can feel when Nick’s in mortal danger and can’t do anything intentional to physically harm him. It also means that Nick can feel Sel’s murderous intents and bloodlust as if it’s his own. Nick would abuse their Oath by physically hurting Sel knowing that he couldn’t fight back. Sel would retaliate, by hurting Nick emotionally. Sel feels sorry for making Nick have a murderous intent on Bree, the girl he loves, and the feels he will never make it up to him.

Sel tells Bree that his romantic feelings are long gone, but it doesn’t matter because there’s so much baggage between them that there was never going to be room enough for anything else to grow. He explains it to Bree, saying, “When I think about that crush now, I remember how much of my life I sacrificed to protect a spoiled brat who didn’t even want his crown and feel entirely grateful I moved on to more mature people.”

Bree’s first impression of their relationship is that Nick seems to despise Sel. Martin tells her that the boys are “oil and water ever since they were children.” However, there are moments that they do seem to genuinely care for each other. And they work well together against a common enemy, especially fighting Shadowborn. After Nick is kidnapped, Sel tells Bree that “miss is not the word. It is deeper than that.”

### Bree Matthews

Bree and Selwyn meet at the Eno Quarry party. Because of her Bloodcraft abilities, when Sel looks at Bree, she feels sparks on her skin and can smell his aether castings. It’s more intense than the sparks she feels when other Shadowborn creatures look at her. Sel senses something different about her and is very hostile towards her. He believes she is a Shadowborn goruchel trying to infiltrate the Order. Bree finds Sel terrifying, but she refuses to be bullied or intimidated. Sel is convinced Bree is lying about something and doesn’t trust her at all. He tells her that she doesn’t belong in the Order. Despite this, Bree finds herself drawn to Sel, and he seems to feel the same. Sel threatens her on several occasions. Before the third trial, Sel finally concludes that he was foolish to believe Bree was a demon. Their relationship continues to be complicated as they start to develop feelings towards each other, even though Bree is dating Nick and wants to be with him. To try and make up for his previous behavior, Sel helps Bree prepare for the third trial so she can use her advantages better, resulting in her passing the challenge.

When an aether-drunk Sel confesses that Martin threatened to strip him of his Oaths, and explains what that means for a Merlin, Bree feels guilty that it was his meddling in her life that caused this and offers to help him. He quickly turns her down, saying he still has his dignity. As Bree comes to better understand Sel, his past, and his situation, she starts to defend him and is one of the few people to show him compassion. Based on how he reacts to her touch, Bree notes how rare it is for anyone to touch him in a way that isn’t meant to hurt. When Sel’s past relationship with Tor is brought up, Bree feels an odd sense of jealousy, curiosity, and wanting. At the Selection Gala, they share an intimate moment before being interrupted by Lord Davis’ announcement. After the night at the Cave of the Dragon, Sel looks at Bree intimately and says,” You are my king now, *cariad*.” Bree is too afraid of what that word might mean to ask for a definition.

After Nick’s kidnapping, Sel and Bree’s relationship continues to be intense and complicated. They switch from fighting with each other to caring for one another, both in extremes. When Bree learns that Sel has been mesmering her because he didn’t want her to see what he was turning into as he succumbed to his demon blood, she is furious and feels completely betrayed. She begins to doubt everything about them and questions her own feelings. Bree tries to stay away from him, but realizes she needs Sel. Despite wanting Bree, Sel is willing to send her to Nick through a blood walk so she can feel safe. Bree feels the same because she immediately offers to bring him into the blood walk too so they can both be with Nick. Sel tries to heal their relationship by taking her to a beautiful clearing near Volition. They finally talk about what the word “*cariad*” means, which is “love” in Welsh. Bree is unsure and questions if they would be acting like this if Nick were there. Sel pushes Bree to admit her feelings without judging them and they share a passionate kiss. Bree says they shouldn’t have done that, but Sel makes her say the truth, that she did mean to kiss him. When Sel sacrifices his humanity to rescue her from Arthur’s dream, Bree is wracked with guilt and makes sure her bargain with the Shadow King includes bringing Sel to his mother in the hopes that she can help him.

### Victoria Morgan

Sel and Tor used to date. Sarah implies that Tor pursued Sel only to aggravate her parents. Dating a Merlin would make any Legendborn parent angry because "it's just not done." It is thought that they hate each other now. Charlotte is shocked when Bree tells her that she saw Sel and Tor together at the party at Eno Quarry, saying they are never seen together.

### Onceborns

Sel said this in his POV “Onceborn girls respond to me in a variety of silly ways: They titter nervously, drawn toward me even as some buried survival instinct in their brains tell them to run. They try to catch my attention in order to get a better look at my eye color. They give me a wide berth when I walk by them in the halls. They whisper to one another behind my back. They do not, however, snap at me in anger.”

## Etymology

Selwyn is a name that comes from Middle English, meaning "sea friend," "manor friend," or "wild thing." Emrys, his middle name, means "immortal" or "Merlín" in Welsh. Kane is an Irish surname meaning "battlefield."

## Trivia

* Sel is a Classics major.
* When he gets upset, the tips of his hair start smoking.
* As Sergeant-at-Arms for the Southern Chapter, he has access to all the records of Shadowborn Gate crossings, appearances, and attacks.
* Sel still plays the violin. He rents a private room in the basement of Hill Hall.
* It's possible Sel is inspired by Solomon Kane, a character by Robert Howards who is described as tall, somber, and gloomy who travels the world seeking to vanquish evil.
* It is confirmed here that Braun Davis from the Great King is a small inspiration for Sel.
* Sel POV it is revealed Nick used the “Sel’ senses are losing acuity” card at the night of initiation ceremony. It is implied that Nick used to say that to his dad at a very young age, to make Sel seem distrusting.
* Sel’s childhood home with his mother had a library with tomes on demonology.
* Nick punched Sel twice in Book 1, because Sel tried to kill her.\*\*Before Bree did the oath of fealty Sel attack her and Nick was defending her.
	+ In the second trial Sel ambushed her, and made Nick feel his bloodlust.

## Appearances

* *Legendborn*
* *Bloodmarked*

## Notable Quotes

* "You'll either slip and expose yourself, or I will expose you." - *Legendborn*
* "So I decided to give you two final options: reveal your true form, or kill me." - *Legendborn*
* "I don't feel any of me... on you." - *Legendborn*
* "I'm offering to train you, silly thing." - *Legendborn*
* "Tell me, will you always be the mystery girl?" - *Legendborn*
* "Typical anger can hinder or help. But the kind that burns in your guts? That's fury. And fury is meant to be used." - *Legendborn*
* "I don't know if that's in the cards for me. … If I allowed myself that wish, it would be truly something. But wishes are the dangerous mind games we play with ourselves. The only way to win is not to play." — *Bloodmarked*
* “Because now, even though you trust me with your life, you don’t trust me with your heart.” - *Bloodmarked*

## Fanart

Sel by SicklyspookSel by KehaniKraftsBy Miss.LysSel by RauvielSelwyn Kane by jessdraw.sSel by EranDrawsBy Mage
## References

1. ↑ *Legendborn*: pg. 275
2. ↑ *Legendborn*: pg. 17
3. ↑ *Legendborn*: pg. 277
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Legendborn Paperback Edition
5. ↑ *Legendborn*: pg. 265
6. ↑ *Legendborn*: pg. 106
7. ↑ *Bloodmarked*
8. ↑ *Legendborn*
9. ↑ *Legendborn*: pg. 331