Cate is a 24-year-old nurse and orphan raised in the foster care system. She relies on her fierce independence and pragmatic nature to survive in a city plagued by crime and a deadly street drug called trinity. She possesses a deep loyalty to her foster brother, which drives her to enter a dangerous bargain with the fae prince of the Nether Court.

Lachlan is a centuries-old fae and prince of the Nether Court who operates in the human world as a ruthless crime syndicate leader. He uses a composed, intimidating facade to maintain order, concealing his turbulent magic behind shifting tattoos. A deep-seated trauma over past familial loss drives him to enforce his power and violently protect those he claims as his own.

Oberon is the charming prince of the Hallow Court, presenting an easygoing demeanor that contrasts with the intense rulers of the shadow courts. He shows an immediate polite interest in Cate, stoking political and personal tensions at court gatherings.

Channing is Cate's foster brother, connected to the Gage crime family through debts he owes them. Finding himself trapped in the dangerous supernatural underbelly of New Orleans, his desperate attempts to secure his footing place him and his sister in perilous situations.

Roark is Lachlan’s penumbra, a loyal retainer born on the same day and raised as his bonded companion and deputy. He serves as a steadying, observant enforcer who handles the Nether Court's operations and acts as a mediator for Lachlan's volatile nature.

Ciara is Lachlan’s younger sister, hiding her deep understanding of royal duties behind a friendly, cheerful demeanor. She faces an arranged political marriage to secure an alliance for the Nether Court.

Shaw is the youngest brother of the Gage family. He feels marginalized by Lachlan's overprotective nature, which keeps him away from the family's dangerous business operations. His approachable personality allows him to form an easy connection with Cate.

Bain is the arrogant and calculating crown prince of the Infernal Court. He views his impending political marriage to Ciara Gage as a transactional maneuver to secure power and influence among the fae courts.

MacAlister is Bain’s penumbra and an enforcer for the Infernal Court. He executes violent punishments without hesitation and treats humans with open contempt.

Titania is a representative of the Hallow Court and Oberon's twin sister. She views Cate with open hostility and uses court events to flirt with the other princes.

Fiona is Lachlan's sister, who uses magical glamours to alter appearances. She distances herself from the Nether Court's primary operations and lives separately from the rest of the Gage family.

Sirius is a prince of the Astral Court from Prague, specializing in alchemy and the study of magic. He holds a tragic family history from human wars and aids Cate in her investigations.

Aurora is the crown princess of the Astral Court. She assumed leadership at a young age following the death of her parents and shares a warm rapport with Lachlan.

Haley is a charge nurse at Gage Memorial Hospital. She handles the heavy workload caused by the city's drug epidemic and offers Cate practical advice on managing her new connection to the Gage family.

Dr. Garcia is the attending physician at the hospital where Cate works. He manages the institution's strict, corrupt protocols, keeping all Gage-related incidents out of police reports.

Martin is a man brought before Lachlan to face brutal punishment under fae law for committing a heinous crime in the human world.

Goemon is a member of the Wild Hunt, a group of fae mercenaries that enforce ancient magical laws. He operates outside the court politics to track and execute fae criminals.

Gran is Cate and Channing's deceased foster mother. She provided Cate with the only safe, stable home she ever knew, instructing her to fiercely protect her brother and hold onto her family heirloom.

Romy is Fiona's partner, living away from the intense politics of the Nether Court in New Orleans.