Persephone is a thirteen-year-old Cross girl and the daughter of the Home Office Minister. She lives on a large, highly secured estate and enjoys the extensive social advantages of the ruling class. Although she receives an elite education, she remains unaware of the systemic racism embedded in her society. She maintains a private, long-standing friendship with Callum McGregor, often sneaking away to a secluded beach to meet him.

Callum is an ambitious nought teenager who gains admission to Heathcroft High, a school previously restricted to Crosses. Growing up in a working-class household, he experiences blatant prejudice from law enforcement and educators. He hopes to use academic achievement to secure a better future and views his secret friendship with Persephone as an escape from his daily hardships.

Jasmine is a wealthy Cross woman who manages a large household staff. She abruptly fires her servant of fourteen years after a miscommunication regarding an alibi for her whereabouts. Unhappy in her marriage to a prominent politician, she frequently relies on alcohol to numb her dissatisfaction. Her behavior creates emotional distance between herself and her daughters.

Kamal is the Home Office Minister and a leading political voice in Cross society. He delivers speeches condemning nought resistance groups and labels the Liberation Militia as a dangerous terrorist organization. He focuses obsessively on his public image and political career, which leaves him little time to engage emotionally with his family.

Meggie is a hardworking nought woman who worked as a domestic servant for the Hadley family for fourteen years. After being suddenly terminated without cause, she struggles to find new employment and worries about her family's financial stability. She opposes Callum's enrollment at Heathcroft High, fearing he will face violence from Cross students.

Ryan is a nought laborer who faces immense pressure to support his family following his wife's job loss. He breaks up physical altercations between his sons and tries to keep the peace at the dinner table. Frustrated by his inability to protect his family from societal abuse, he becomes increasingly sympathetic to radical political factions.

Jude is Callum's older brother. He harbors deep anger toward Cross society, a feeling exacerbated when he was forced to drop out of school to help his family financially. He frequently mocks Callum for attending a Cross institution and openly supports the Liberation Militia's aggressive tactics.

Lynette is Callum's older sister who suffered a severe physical assault three years earlier. The trauma left her psychologically fragile, and she rarely leaves the house. During her frequent dissociative episodes, she genuinely believes she is a Cross and asks for her former Cross boyfriend, which triggers loud arguments among her siblings.

Minerva is Persephone's older sister. She stays highly attuned to their parents' marital conflicts and focuses on protecting her own social standing. While she occasionally questions Persephone's behavior and offers comfort, she generally conforms to Cross societal expectations and prioritizes her upcoming academic exams.

Mr. Jason teaches history at Heathcroft High. He actively dismisses nought historical contributions, telling his classroom that all great inventors were Crosses. When challenged with facts, he loses his temper and attempts to discipline the nought students for insubordination.

Mrs. Paxton is a faculty member at Heathcroft High. She confronts the headmaster about the bullying directed at the newly integrated nought students. She offers academic encouragement to Callum and attempts to counter the blatant prejudice shown by other teachers.

Sarah is Jasmine Hadley's personal secretary. She manages the household's practical affairs, taking on responsibilities like purchasing birthday gifts and delivering messages when Jasmine is intoxicated or indifferent.

Juno works as Kamal Hadley's public relations secretary. She prioritizes the minister's political reputation above all else. She swiftly arrives at the hospital to perform aggressive damage control when family scandals threaten to leak to the press.

Mr. Stanhope is a nought defense attorney. Despite the severe public hostility surrounding high-profile terrorism cases, he carefully reviews evidence and accepts clients who have been universally rejected by other legal professionals.

Kelani Adams is a formidable Cross attorney. Her commanding reputation in the courtroom earns her high-profile defense cases, and she acts as a professional inspiration to young women aspiring to study law.

Leo Stoll is a retired Cross police officer. He observes an incident outside a shopping center and later provides crucial eyewitness testimony regarding what he saw, offering an objective perspective in a highly publicized trial.

Andrew Dorn operates as the second-in-command to the general of the Liberation Militia. He travels to inspect individual militant cells, enforces the leadership's strict protocols, and issues direct orders regarding high-value targets.

Pete serves as the commanding leader of a local Liberation Militia cell. He organizes the group's tactical operations, assigns roles to his subordinates, and monitors the progress of field missions.

Leila is a tough operative within a Liberation Militia cell. She easily dispatches men who disrespect her in public and focuses intensely on the faction's militant objectives, though she occasionally seeks romantic connections within her ranks.

Morgan is a dedicated member of a Liberation Militia cell. He follows the directives of his leaders, stands guard during operations, and assists in executing the faction's coordinated plans.

Jack is a Cross prison guard working in a high-security correctional facility. He maintains a calm demeanor while performing his duties, occasionally playing cards with inmates and discussing human nature on a personal level.