Half-Blood

Rachelle Andros, Alex’s Hematoi mother, is a beautiful, willowy woman with striking green eyes. Despite her pure-blood lineage, Rachelle possesses only weak control over the air element, making her an outlier in a society that prizes power and lineage above all else. Her lack of elemental strength and her scandalous romantic choices set her apart from traditional Hematoi expectations, making her a figure of quiet rebellion within a rigid and hierarchical world.

Hematoi society revolves around preserving pure bloodlines, often prioritizing strategic marriages over love. Alex observes, “Considering pures married to improve their position in our society instead of marrying for love, they tended to pool around—a lot” (92). Rachelle’s marriage to Lucian is one of convenience rather than affection, and her affair with Alex’s mortal father directly defies Hematoi customs. Her love for Alex’s father remains a powerful but unspoken force, influencing decisions such as taking Alex to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for Winter Solstice to feel closer to him.

Rachelle’s devotion to Alex is undeniable but scarred by secrecy and omission. She removes Alex from the Covenant to protect her but never thoroughly explains the actual dangers of Alex’s existence as the future Apollyon. By shielding Alex from the truth, Rachelle unwittingly leaves her daughter vulnerable to forces beyond her understanding.

Her transformation into a daimon represents a tragic corruption of her character. Once a loving and protective mother, Rachelle becomes consumed by the hunger that defines daimons, yet a distorted version of her maternal instincts remains. She seeks Alex not to protect her but to turn her into a daimon as well—an act she perceives as salvation rather than destruction. Rachelle’s growing detachment from morality emphasizes the horror of this shift, as she kills repeatedly to sustain herself. The conflict between Rachelle’s identity and her current manifestation as a daimon is illustrated by her fleeting expression of relief when Alex kills her. In the end, her death is not just an act of mercy but a tragic conclusion to a life shaped by love, sacrifice, and defiance.

Aiden St. Delphi, a 20-year-old pure-blood Sentinel, serves as both a mentor and romantic interest to Alex in Half-Blood. With dark hair and striking gray eyes, Aiden is attractive, but his serious demeanor makes him seem distant to many. His reserved nature, however, is rooted in deep personal trauma—having witnessed the brutal murder of his parents by daimons as a child, he carries the weight of that loss into adulthood.

Unlike most pure-bloods, who embrace positions of power and privilege, Aiden chooses the path of a Sentinel, dedicating his life to fighting daimons. This decision speaks to his sense of duty and his desire for control in a world where he once felt powerless. His commitment extends beyond his career—he also raises his younger brother, Deacon, further reinforcing his role as a protector.

Mutual understanding builds Aiden’s connection with Alex. He recognizes her grief after losing her mother and supports her ambition to become a Sentinel. At the same time, he is a strict and disciplined instructor, and genuine concern for Alex’s well-being tempers his harshness. He grows frustrated with her impulsiveness but never belittles her for it, instead working to guide her through her struggles. His protective instincts extend beyond their training sessions—he shields her from Marcus and others who would see her expelled, even if it means bending the rules himself.

As their relationship deepens, Aiden is drawn to Alex romantically despite the strict societal laws forbidding relationships between pures and half-bloods. Though their feelings nearly lead them to cross a dangerous line, Aiden pulls back, burdened by the knowledge of what would happen to Alex if they were discovered. Alex, in turn, sees Aiden as someone who truly understands her, stating, “He doesn’t put up with any of my crap, and I kind of like him for that. I don’t know. Aiden just gets me” (369). His struggle between desire and duty adds complexity to his character, making him a compelling foil to Alex’s impulsive nature.

Caleb Nicolo, Alex’s best friend and fellow half-blood, provides much-needed emotional support and stability in Half-Blood. Unlike many other characters in the novel, he demonstrates unwavering loyalty and a lighthearted nature rather than being defined by ambition or power struggles. He serves as a grounding force for Alex, balancing her impulsiveness with humor and pragmatism.

Caleb’s role in the story highlights the importance of friendship in a world that constantly undermines half-bloods. He, like Alex, is training to become a Sentinel, yet he lacks the same reckless determination, often reminding Alex to think before she acts. Though he teases her, his sarcasm and humor mask a deep concern for her well-being. When Alex faces challenges—from readjusting to Covenant life to dealing with her mother’s death to her forbidden feelings for Aiden—Caleb is the one who offers unwavering support without judgment.

Despite his easygoing personality, Caleb is not naïve. He understands the dangers of their world, including the rigid social hierarchy that keeps half-bloods oppressed. His acceptance of these realities contrasts with Alex’s rebellious nature, making their friendship even more meaningful. While Alex constantly pushes boundaries, Caleb often urges caution, though he remains by her side regardless of her choices.

Though Caleb helps Alex work through her problems, he has his own struggles, particularly his love for another half-blood, Olivia. Unlike Alex and Aiden’s relationship, Caleb and Olivia’s romance is allowed but constrained by the rigid social hierarchy of their world. Pures view half-bloods as little more than tools, trained to fight and protect rather than build lives of their own. Caleb knows that no matter how much he cares for Olivia, their future is uncertain—marriage and a stable life together are impossible under the oppressive laws governing half-bloods. This aspect of Caleb’s character further emphasizes the lack of agency that half-bloods have over their lives. While he does not openly rebel like Alex, his quiet frustration speaks to the underlying injustice of their society.

Marcus, the Dean of the North Carolina Covenant, is an early antagonist in Half-Blood, though his role evolves as the story progresses. When Alex sees Marcus, her uncle, for the first time in three years, he expresses no relief or joy at her survival. Instead, he fixates on his sister, Rachelle, and the scandal she caused, particularly how her actions impacted Lucian. Initially, Marcus refuses to allow Alex to train at the Covenant, instead condemning her to servitude in Lucian’s household. Even when he reluctantly agrees to her training, he remains harsh and critical, engaging in a sparring match with Alex—one that he wins effortlessly, reinforcing both his authority and her perceived inferiority.

However, as the novel unfolds, Marcus’s antagonism is revealed to be a form of misguided protectiveness. He knew that Rachelle turned into a daimon, and Alex is an Apollyon. Though seemingly cruel, his decision to place Alex under Lucian’s control was an attempt to shield her from greater dangers. Yet, as he begins questioning Lucian’s true motives, Marcus shifts his stance, choosing to keep Alex at the Covenant despite Lucian’s objections. This marks the beginning of his transformation from an opponent to a reluctant guardian.

Although Marcus remains strict and often unsympathetic, he gradually understands Alex’s motivations. His perspective shifts significantly after she defies orders to hunt down and kill Rachelle. While he reprimands her recklessness, he acknowledges her pain: “Believe it or not, I do understand. It doesn’t make your actions justified or intelligent, but I do understand your motivation” (374). By the novel’s end, Marcus, who once demanded she prove herself against her peers, recognizes Alex’s raw talent and formally accepts her into training, offering the structured guidance she needs to reach her full potential.

Lucian, Alex’s stepfather, emerges as the true antagonist of Half-Blood, manipulating those around him while maintaining the facade of acting in Alex’s best interest. A powerful Minister on the Hematoi Council, Lucian expertly wields his influence to shape events to his advantage, particularly concerning Alex and her status as the Apollyon. Unlike the daimons, who pose a direct and obvious threat, Lucian’s danger lies in his ability to deceive, persuade, and manipulate under the guise of benevolence.

From the moment Alex reunites with him, she feels uneasy. She describes him as having “raven-colored hair [that was] ridiculously long and his face looked as emotionless as a daimon’s […] there was something about him that left a bad taste in my mouth […] His air of arrogance fit him like a second skin” (219). Though he initially greets her warmly, Alex is unsettled by his sudden shift in demeanor, recalling that “whenever I’d been around Lucian in the past, he’d always looked at me with such cool disdain. This bizarre display of affection knocked me speechless” (226). Lucian tries to justify his past coldness, claiming, “When Alexandria was younger, I wasn’t much of anything to her. I let my own bitterness rule everything. But now, it all seems so shallow” (227). However, his words are nothing more than calculated lies, meant to gain Alex’s trust while secretly orchestrating her future for his own ends.

Lucian’s true motives become clear as the novel progresses. His interest in Alex stems solely from her status as the Apollyon, not from any familial bond. His goal is to ensure that Alex survives until her 18th birthday, when she will awaken and transfer her power to Seth, creating an entity of unparalleled strength. He frames this as a noble pursuit: “With you two, we can eliminate the daimons without risking so many lives. We could change the rules—the laws surrounding half-bloods, the marriage decrees, the Council. Why, anything could be possible” (297). However, his true nature is exposed when he coldly admits, “I cannot allow a daimon to get their hands on an Apollyon” (297). At this moment, it becomes evident that Lucian does not see Alex as a person, much less as a stepdaughter—she is merely a tool.