Glossary of Characters

Jade Cicada: Reigning Queen of the New England vampire hive. Known Gift(s): unclear.

The Chosen: Jade Cicada’s personal guards and advisors.

Maximus Justus Copernicus: The Commander. Leader of the Chosen. Known Gift(s): anticipating opponents’ moves two or three steps in advance, the ability to see through the eyes of his familiar. Weapon of choice: varies, but often fights with familiar Simca.

Simca: Maximus’ familiar. A black panther that is an extension of Maxiums, who can see through her eyes wherever she goes, and feel what she feels.

Ryu Takamura: The Assassin. Executes special, often covert missions for the Queen. Known Gift(s): shadow ninja. Weapon of choice: Ninja blade or ninjaken.

Devlin Sinclair: The Hunter. Hunts down and eliminates vampire rogues. Ensure security of the New England hive’s borders. Known Gift(s): photographic memory. Weapon of choice: varies, but usually a saber or gun depending on type of prey.

Anastasia Zima: The Phoenix. Jade’s head of security, ensures safety of the Queen and assists Maximus with affairs of state. Known Gift(s): telekinesis. Weapon of choice: varies, as a lover and expert in all manner of weapons. Soft spot for daggers.

Inanna: The ex-Angel of Death or Angel of the New England vampire hive under Jade Cicada, used to be member of the Chosen. After discovering her Pure Soul as the daughter of a Pure and Dark One and having her Awakening, she is known as the Light Bringer. Human alias: Nana Chastain. Known Gift(s): the ability to see through any material and zoom in and out like a telescope or microscope. Weapon of choice: chained whip.

Gabriel D’Angelo: Inanna’s Blooded Mate. Used to be known as Alad Da-an-nim, born a Pure One, died and reincarnated as a human. Turned into a vampire by Inanna but retains his Pure Soul. Gift(s): unknown, but is a skilled martial artist as a human and was one of the fiercest Pure warriors in ancient Akkad.

Benjamin Larkin D’Angelo: Inanna and Gabriel’s adopted son.

Ava Monroe Takamura: Ryu’s human wife and mate. Brilliant geneticist who developed and took a serum that makes her uniquely super-human, with the Pure Ones’ ability to heal, the source of their eternal youth and apparent immortality.

Kane Takamura: Ryu and Ava’s son.

Medusa: An unknown entity, presumably female, that appears to be the arch nemesis of the Pure and Dark Ones, as well as humans.

The Creature: an enemy of both the Pure and Dark Ones. Seems to be working with Medusa. Known Gift(s): the ability to transform into different humanoid shapes, some form of telepathy.

Sophia Victoria St. James: Queen of the Pure Ones. Known Gift(s): the ability to see Pure souls and the true intentions of all beings.

The Circlet: The Pure Queen’s royal advisors. Part of the Dozen or Royal Zodiac.

Seth Tremaine: The Consul. Handles the Pure Ones’ diplomatic affairs. Talented negotiator. Known Gift(s): the ability to project a spiritual version of his physical self anytime, anywhere.

Ayelet Baltazar: The Guardian. Main responsibility is to guide and educate the Pure Queen, caretaker and mother figure. Known Gift(s): the ability to feel and experience what others feel using a physical artifact of the individual; deep empathy.

Eveline Marceau: The Seer: Records and interprets Pure Ones’ potential future in the Zodiac Prophesies. Known Gift(s): spells.

Rain: The Healer: Ensures the health and vitality of Pure Ones, especially members of the Royal Zodiac. Known Gift(s): ability to absorb pain and poison from severe wounds using the needles of her hair, called zhen.

The Elite: The Pure Queen’s personal guards. Part of the Dozen or Royal Zodiac.

Valerius Marcus Ambrosius: The Protector. Hunt down rogue vampires who hurt humans. De facto Leader of the Elite given that the previous leader was killed. Known Gift(s): fast healing, beyond even the typical Pure Ones’ ability to heal. Weapon of choice: Chained scythe.

Dalair Abd Amirah: The Paladin. Recruit humans and Pure Ones to their cause. Known Gift(s): hyper-developed senses. Weapon of choice: Twin Dragon Blades or two half-moon crescent blades that can be combined into a disc.

Tristan du Lac: The Champion. Historically, he is the first warrior to be dispatched against enemies in one-on-one combat. In modern times, he helps train human Chevaliers. Known Gift(s): none. Weapon of choice: Excalibur or long sword.

Aella: The Strategist. Plan all manner of defense and attack vs. enemies and threats. Known Gift(s): speed. Weapon of choice: three chakrams, which can link together and stiffen into a longer-range hand-to-hand weapon or be thrown individually.

Cloud Drako: The Valiant. Train Pure Ones and humans in combat. Known Gift(s): ability to exert strong compulsion on anyone who stares into his eyes. Weapon of choice: long spear.

Ere: Sophia’s ex-teaching assistant.