Alchemy of Secrets

Adam Bishop is the novel’s primary antagonist, even though he presents himself as an aide to Holland’s quest. Throughout the narrative, Adam’s persona shifts constantly, embodying The Treacherous Nature of Secrets and Lies. Initially introduced as a charming new faculty member, he then admits he is an imposter, claiming that he is January’s partner and has been sent to protect Holland. Later, he confesses to Holland that he and his brother Mason co-created the myth of “the devil” in Hollywood in order to amass power and influence. Paradoxically, with each revelation, Adam gains more of Holland’s trust. His proficiency with deception links to the theme of Storytelling as a Form of Magic and Manipulation, as he appears to offer Holland greater emotional honesty even as he leads her further from the truth. His ability to erase and rewrite memories is a further tool in this narrative control.

Adam’s central conflict is with his older brother, Mason, stemming from a toxic competition for their father’s approval that culminated in patricide and a bitter rivalry. Vilifying Mason, he manipulates Holland by claiming to be motivated by the desire to atone for his past and by a need to prevent his brother from acquiring more power. This story parallels Holland’s, suggesting an affinity based on their determination to confront the dark legacies of their families. His confession to Holland that he was one half of the carefully constructed devil persona presents him as a man haunted by guilt and regret. Adam’s ruthless stabbing of Holland at the novel’s conclusion strips away his charming, morally complex façade, revealing him to be a remorseless murderer.

Gabe Cabral serves as a foil to Adam Bishop. Claiming, like Adam, that he has been sent by January to protect Holland, his characteristics contrast with his rival’s easy charm. A gruff, mysterious figure, Gabe is an anti-hero archetype who operates by a rigid, personal code. His methods are direct and often brutal; he “kidnaps” Holland, destroys her car and phone, and uses physical intimidation, justifying these actions as necessary for her safety. Beneath this hardened exterior is a deep-seated knowledge of the magical world and a powerful ability that allows him to interact with technology. He is a round, though largely static, character whose cynical worldview is a product of a dark, tragic past. His tough yet haunted demeanor typifies the film noir hero.

Secretiveness is one of Gabe’s defining traits as he refuses to divulge information about his past or his precise relationship with January. When Holland questions him, he deflects, stating, “January’s secrets are hers; they aren’t mine to share” (120). This unwavering loyalty is commendable but also makes him an unreliable ally for Holland, who is desperate for answers. When the Professor alleges that Gabe murdered his wife to steal her abilities, Gabe vehemently denies this. However, the accusation hangs over him, painting him as a dangerous man and eroding Holland’s trust.

Despite his tendency to intimidate Holland with his presence, Gabe forms a complex and vulnerable bond with her. He is the first to take her claims about the Watch Man seriously, and he provides her with crucial information about the Alchemical Heart and the factions seeking it. Grimly determined, he takes a bullet for Holland and consistently prioritizes her safety over his own. His interactions with Holland reveal glimpses of a man who, despite his claims not to be a good person, operates with a strong sense of duty and a capacity for care that his harsh exterior belies.

The Professor is a master manipulator who initially appears as a benevolent, if eccentric, mentor to Holland. As the creator of the secret Folklore 517 class, she uses her academic position to identify and recruit promising individuals into the magical world. Her persona as a kindly, grandmotherly figure is a meticulously crafted façade that masks her true identity as the cold, calculating Manager of the First Bank of Centennial City. This dual identity makes her a prime example of the theme The Treacherous Nature of Secrets and Lies. The Professor’s primary motivation is the acquisition of power, specifically the Alchemical Heart, which she believes the Bank is best suited to protect and control. She views her students, including Holland, as potential assets in her quest for power.

The Professor’s character embodies the dark side of storytelling. She understands that narratives can be weaponized to control and deceive, a concept central to the theme of Storytelling as a Form of Magic and Manipulation. While teaching true myths, she strategically omits key details to maintain an advantage over her students. When Holland confronts her at the Bank, the Professor attempts to leverage their shared history, offering Holland a job, an ability, and the truth about her parents in a transactional exchange for the Alchemical Heart. Her ability to read minds and manipulate time further cements the Professor’s status as a formidable and controlling figure.

For most of the novel, Mason Bishop is portrayed as a key antagonist, given that Holland’s perception of him is filtered through the narratives of his younger brother, Adam. Described as “the looking-glass version of Adam” (293), he is presented as a dark mirror to his brother, embodying the ruthless ambition Adam claims he has overcome. However, Adam’s depiction of Mason illustrates Storytelling as a Form of Magic and Manipulation, as he ascribes his own crimes to his brother, alleging he invented the “devil” persona and murdered their father to inherit his abilities.

At the start of the novel, Mason is a ghost trapped within the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a consequence of Adam’s attempt to strip him of his powers. His imprisonment ultimately serves as the key to Holland’s discovery of the truth, as he repeatedly witnesses Adam murder her in various time loops. Holland’s decision to liberate Mason, trapping Adam in his place, is presented as a form of moral justice.