A Binding of Blood characters

Also known as Siobhan, Chauvin, Raven Queen

Appears from the start

A gifted Thaumaturgic University student living under a male form while police blood-scrying hunts her other identities. Liza's ward keeps the search from locating her, but each attempt hurts her, and her weak replacement conduit limits how much power she can safely channel.

Appears from the start

Sebastien's exacting practical-casting professor and provisional sponsor. He designs a tournament that rewards efficient control as well as raw capacity and expects Sebastien to meet unusually high standards despite the limitations of a poor conduit.

Appears from the start

A well-connected classmate who regards Sebastien as a serious rival in Thaddeus Lacer's practical-casting tournament. His competitive interest is open, but at his introduction he presents no immediate threat beyond the contest.

First appears in chapter 3

Sebastien's fellow student and friend, who notices the effects of severe strain and takes him to the university infirmary. His concern is practical and persistent even when Sebastien tries to conceal the cause of the illness.

First appears in chapter 6

The lycanthrope leader of the Nightmare Pack. The Alpha negotiates with Oliver Dryden over territory, combat duties, and a proposed five-year alliance against the Morrows while asking whether the Raven Queen might assist.

Also known as Lord Stag

First appears in chapter 6

Leader of the Verdant Stag and Sebastien's protector and employer. He negotiates a provisional alliance with the Nightmare Pack against the Morrows while carefully maintaining the Raven Queen's independence from his organization.

First appears in chapter 7

An independent unlicensed sorcerer whose costly magic helps shield Sebastien from divination. She warns that the present defense cannot be trusted forever and says a permanent solution is possible, but only for a substantial price.

First appears in chapter 8

Sebastien's classmate and one of Damien's friends. She asks Sebastien for practical advice on improving casting efficiency and quickly benefits from his explanation of will visualization during a self-directed class exercise.

First appears in chapter 10

A boy previously acquainted with Sebastien in her sorceress identity. He recognizes her despite her male presentation and keeps the connection private when they meet in the crowded Verdant Stag.

First appears in chapter 12

A Thaumaturgic University student who receives a spelled paper message shortly before Sebastien traces an active scrying attempt to Eagle Tower.

First appears in chapter 22

A legal cover identity prepared for Siobhan through the Silk Door, supported by papers naming her as an employee and a nominal client of Oliver Dryden. The identity gives her a defensible reason to use the transformation safe house.

First appears in chapter 23

Leader of the Nightmare Pack and Oliver Dryden's prospective ally. He receives the Raven Queen with tribute and asks for help with the life-threatening condition of his chosen sister's young son, treating his guest as a dangerous supernatural power.

First appears in chapter 23

A blind prognose diviner, Lord Linwood's sister by choice, and the mother of Miles. She seeks the Raven Queen's aid for her dangerously sleep-deprived son, whose uncontrolled visions keep him from restorative sleep.

Also known as Miles

First appears in chapter 23

Gera's young son, whose mixed ancestry causes uncontrolled visions that repeatedly wake him and deny him restorative sleep, leaving him in mortal danger.

First appears in chapter 27

A university professor secretly meeting Tanya at the menagerie. He directs her to recover the stolen book, investigate its connection to emerging powers, and rely on a university faction to obstruct the Crown's inquiry.

First appears in chapter 36

An advanced practical-casting student who powers a sustained movement spell with wax. The technique lets him overcome Sebastien's counters through steady pressure and win both their match and Thaddeus Lacer's tournament.

First appears in chapter 38

The unnamed leader of the Morrows, captured when the Verdant Stag and Nightmare Pack seize a key warehouse. He remains alive in alliance custody, creating an immediate opportunity for interrogation.

First appears in chapter 46

A surviving Morrow who recognizes Chauvin from a wanted poster during the captives' standoff. He attacks her with a fireball, triggering the protective but dangerously overheating response of her medallion.

First appears in chapter 46

The captured leader of the Morrows. By the time Tanya offers to help free him, surviving Morrows report that he is rumored dead and turn their attention to extracting a more immediate payoff from their captives.

First appears in chapter 47

The leader of the surviving Morrow kidnappers trapped with the Raven Queen during Newton's transformation. Once ordinary attacks fail, he asks her for protection and follows her silent warning that the spreading aberrant reacts to sound.

First appears in chapter 47

A frightened younger Morrow whom Siobhan privately nicknames for his persistent sniffing. He shelters with the other survivors as Newton's aberrant form spreads through the building and follows the warning that sound attracts its strings.

First appears in chapter 48

A surviving Morrow trapped near Newton's spreading aberrant form. After making noise, he is infected and falls unconscious. The loss of consciousness slows the assimilation without reversing it, leaving his immediate fate uncertain.

First appears in chapter 51

A senior investigator who arrives with Thaddeus Lacer and a Nightmare Pack diviner after the aberrant outbreak. He supervises the inquiry into the incident and Sebastien's involvement.

Appears from the start

A Verdant Stag operator and Sebastien's creditor from the earlier book. At the start of this volume, the loan remains active and continues to bind Sebastien to work for the organization while interest adds to the financial pressure.

Appears from the start

Sebastien's imprisoned father, known from the earlier book. His custody and a coercive marriage bargain tied to him remain unresolved when this volume begins, with Sebastien's mother's knot ring still held as collateral.