Mary is a young telepath resulting from Doro's millennia-long selective breeding program. Growing up in Forsyth, California, she struggles to contain her immense latent abilities until she undergoes a traumatic transition process. She possesses traffic-light green eyes and fiercely independent instincts, initially viewing the world with a self-centered focus before discovering her unique ability to connect other telepaths.

Doro is a 4,000-year-old immortal being originally from Africa who survives by transferring his consciousness into other people's bodies. For millennia, he runs a selective breeding program to create a race of telepaths. He operates with unchecked authority and views human life as a resource for his own survival, hoping to build a society he can rule.

Karl is a wealthy active telepath who uses his abilities to manipulate others for personal gain, such as mentally forcing someone to sign over a mansion to him. Raised by Emma after a traumatic childhood incident, he is highly independent but remains subordinate to Doro's commands. He is tasked with marrying Mary to shield her mind during her difficult transition.

Emma is a master healer and shapeshifter who possesses immense longevity, making her the only other immortal in Doro's circle. She openly disapproves of Doro's breeding program but participates to protect her own children. Acting as a stabilizing force and companion to Doro, she eventually takes on the responsibility of raising Mary.

Seth is an active telepath whose life revolves around protecting and caring for his brother. He purchases an isolated ranch to help shield his brother from the mental static of other people. When he feels a sudden mental pull to Forsyth, he is forced to abandon his plans for his brother's independence.

Rachel is an active telepath who works as a faith healer. She uses her abilities to genuinely heal ailments but simultaneously siphons energy and adoration from her followers to sustain herself. Used to dominating her environment and being worshipped, she reacts with intense anger when a mental attack pulls her across the country against her will.

Jesse is a confident active telepath who uses his powers to completely control his hometown, conditioning the residents to serve him and give him whatever he wants. He enjoys picking physical fights with outsiders to prove his superiority. When the mental call drags him to Forsyth, he immediately begins plotting a violent rebellion.

Ada is a tortured active telepath who struggles immensely with the mental noise of others, leaving her isolated and trapped indoors. She views her abilities as a curse and maintains a toxic marriage simply to have a target for her pain. Unlike the others, she feels a sense of relief when she senses the mental call, hoping to finally find a community.

Jan is a bitter and isolated active telepath who avoids emotional connections, even sending her own children away because their unpredictable minds cause her pain. She specializes in psychometry, preferring to read impressions from inanimate objects rather than living minds. She is terrified of Doro and dreads the mental call that summons her to Forsyth.

Clay is a latent telepath and one of Doro's many children. Because he has not undergone transition, he lacks mental shields and suffers constantly from the painful mental static of others. He desires independence but relies heavily on his brother's protection to survive his daily anguish.

Vivian is a non-telepathic human, referred to as a mute by the telepaths. She is Karl's partner, but she has been mentally conditioned by him to accept whatever he dictates, including his marriage to Mary. She serves as an early example of the total subjugation that powerful telepaths can inflict on ordinary people.