The Deer and the Dragon

The female creature introduces herself as Fauna and tells Silas that Marlow is “one” of theirs. Fauna is ethereally beautiful and looks as though a baby deer transformed into a human. She tells Silas that she’ll take over and then informs Marlow that Silas changed his mind after speaking to his “overlord” after his second meeting with Marlow. Fauna claims that the “power-hungry divine was thrilled to hear that such a curious human wanted to bond to his special angel” (111). Silas argues that his side has a “claim” on Marlow, but Fauna counters, saying that her side’s claim came first. Silas reminds Fauna that the war taking place does not involve the Nordes, of which Fauna is one. He offers Marlow the chance to see beyond the veil, to acquire “powerful angelic allies” (113). Fauna persuades Silas to leave and marvels at the sigil for “true sight” painted in Marlow’s apartment; she guesses that it was the “Prince’s” idea, referring to Caliban.

Fauna explains that Marlow can think of her as fae or fairy folk, though she’s more like a Norse elf, similar to a nymph in Greek mythology.