A restless young woman in 16th-century Spain with vibrant red hair. She desperately wants to escape the confining gender roles of her small village. She orchestrates a marriage to a viscount to gain a new life away from her family. She deeply fears the loss of autonomy that comes with motherhood and goes to great lengths to prevent conception.

A Scottish college student working through her freshman year at Harvard in 2019. She carries the heavy emotional weight of losing her older sister and her mother, hiding her struggles behind a quiet exterior. She experiences social anxiety and hides her sexuality. She yearns to become a braver and more fearless version of herself.

A 19th-century English girl sent away from her country estate to prepare for the London marriage market. She chafes against the strict proprietary rules and corsets of the Georgian era. Naturally expressive and unable to hide her emotions, she struggles with her family's rejection of her identity.

An enigmatic herbalist and apothecary owner who maintains the appearance of a permanent widow. She uses her status to avoid the control of men, moving freely through 16th-century Spain. She possesses an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and offers women remedies to control their reproduction.

The Viscount of Olivares and a knight of the Order of Santiago. He views marriage as a transactional necessity to secure a male heir. He expects complete obedience from his wife and frequently treats her as an object to be possessed and displayed.

A maid at the Olivares casona and the illegitimate daughter of the Count. She bonds with María over card games and quiet moments in the estate, providing the young wife with a rare source of genuine companionship during her isolation.

The mother of Andrés and a harsh, judgmental woman who fiercely protects her family's aristocratic status. She immediately dislikes her son's choice of a commoner bride and makes her disapproval clear.

María's older brother in 16th-century Spain. He adheres to the traditional expectations of their village and frequently attempts to rein in his sister's rebellious behavior.

María's oldest brother. He acts as the head of the household alongside their mother and fully supports arranging a lucrative marriage to secure the family's future.

An ancient and powerful figure who operates completely outside the bounds of human morality. He travels the seas and cities of Spain, indulging his dark appetites while functioning as a mentor to younger individuals who share his nature.

A lethal but affectionate companion to Hector. She forms quick, intense attachments and acts as a mediating force, bringing newcomers into their fold while remaining entirely devoted to her maker.

An ancient, sophisticated resident of Venice who has mastered the art of patience and territory control. He lives a refined existence, preferring elaborate games over mindless violence, and maintains a deeply emotional bond with a human artist.

A mortal painter living in Venice who shares a deeply egalitarian and loving relationship with Matteo. He actively chooses to remain human, believing that life only possesses true value if it eventually ends.

A reckless individual who bears a strong physical resemblance to Alessandro. He chafes under rules and prefers to hunt impulsively, causing immediate tension with older, more disciplined figures.

A young woman living near the Hastings' country estate. She shares a passionate, secret romance with her friend but ultimately lacks the courage to defy the rigid social expectations of 19th-century England.

The brother of Charlotte Hastings. He prioritizes family reputation over his sister's happiness. He orchestrates her banishment to London to ensure she conforms to proper Georgian society.

A strict, highly polished woman known for successfully presenting debutantes to high society. She enforces rigid etiquette and works tirelessly to mold young women into perfect candidates for the marriage market.

A polite but unremarkable man in London high society who sets his sights on a new debutante, unaware of her complete lack of interest in a traditional marriage.

An Italian art model who carries rocks in her purse for self-defense. She is physically strong, capable of remaining perfectly still, and possesses a fiercely loyal and accepting heart.

An English club owner who runs the Way Down warehouse club. He provides a welcoming environment that ignores boundaries of race, gender, and sexuality during the restrictive 1920s.

An American expatriate who fled the United States due to anti-Black racism. She co-owns a progressive underground club in London and maintains a wide network of contacts across the globe.

A calm coffee shop owner in Boston who provides a safe haven for specific types of patrons. He serves as an anchor and an information broker, helping lost individuals understand their new realities.

Alice's rebellious and spirited older sister who ran away from their Scottish home at age seventeen. Her memory and the stories she told deeply influence Alice's choices and worldview long after her tragic death in a car accident.

The childhood sweetheart of Alice's father who marries him after he is widowed. She attempts to bond with her new stepdaughters, though her efforts are met with intense hostility from the older sister.

Alice and Catty's much younger half-brother. He represents the new family dynamic created by their father's second marriage.

A student from Kent paired with Alice as a suitemate because they are both from Great Britain. She frequently makes abrasive comments about Alice's Scottish background.

A male student at Harvard who pretends to be helpful to an incapacitated classmate, only to use the situation to attack her.