Merlin looked at them, too, his eyes starting to shimmer golden. "That is one wicked group of bugs. Most magical creatures that I've heard of transfer affects with a bite, through saliva, but that... that could work with a kind of poison? A venom maybe?"

A few other of the wildly colored bugs buzzed a little closer, and instinctively, Merlin threw out his hand, and they were surrounded by a faint golden light. His concentration wasn't so good, though, so he shoved them as far away as he could, instead of trying to hold them.

he shuddered, feeling that sadness start to rise and shook his head, fighting it. "And it really tries to keep affecting you, too. I'm still fighting the feeling like... like I just watched someone I loved die." He blew out a breath, refocusing on the bugs.

"How does one make insect repellent that will affect magical insects?"