Inez is a 19-year-old Argentinian heiress with a deep passion for history and antiquities. Educated and fiercely independent, she refuses to conform to the traditional expectations of obedience placed on women in her era. Her primary drive is to uncover the truth about her parents' pasts and secure her own autonomy in British-controlled Egypt.

Whitford is a rough-edged former British soldier currently working as an aide-de-camp for Inez's uncle. Discharged from the military, he struggles with physical and emotional scars, adopting a gruff, guarded exterior. Despite his secretive nature and conflicting family obligations back in England, he is fiercely protective of those he chooses to care about.

Isadora is the polished, aristocratic daughter of Mr. Fincastle. Raised in a different environment than Inez, she possesses delicate features and an elegance that allows her to move through high society seamlessly. She presents herself as a supportive companion to Inez while dealing with her own complex family legacy and the fallout of the antiquities trade.

Cayo is Inez's missing father and Lourdes's estranged husband. Originally known as an antiquities scholar who morally opposed the theft of historical artifacts, his long absence and supposed death deeply impact his daughter. He represents the idealized family Inez longs to reunite and the complicated legacy of the Olivera family in Egypt.

Lourdes is Inez's estranged mother, a highly intelligent and reckless woman deeply entrenched in the illicit antiquities trade. Prioritizing control and secrecy over maternal warmth, she operates in moral gray areas to achieve her goals. She is actively hunting for alchemical artifacts, keeping both her enemies and her family at arm's length.

Ricardo is Inez's domineering uncle and a prominent archaeologist leading excavations in Egypt. Driven by a desire to protect his family's reputation and enforce traditional societal expectations, he attempts to dictate his niece's finances and choices. His rigid authority frequently puts him at odds with Inez's independent nature.

Abdullah is an Egyptian archaeologist and Ricardo's brother-in-law. He possesses extensive knowledge of ancient maps, history, and Alexandria's subterranean systems. Dedicated to protecting Egypt's cultural heritage from both smugglers and colonial appropriation, he serves as a vital ally to the expedition team.

Mr. Fincastle is the former head of security for Ricardo's excavation team who has turned to the illicit antiquities trade. He works closely with Lourdes Olivera, prioritizing their black-market operations over professional loyalties. He is deeply entangled in the dangerous hunt for historical artifacts.

Farida is Abdullah's resourceful granddaughter. Equipped with a magic-touched camera capable of capturing images through walls, she aids Inez in investigating the smuggling rings. She is fiercely supportive of her friends and dedicated to freeing her grandfather from prison.

Lorena is Inez's aunt, a grieving mother who travels to Egypt seeking answers about her family's misfortune. Despite her profound distress, she provides emotional support to Inez and equips her with magical objects, like a communication teacup, to aid her journey.

Amaranta is Inez's cousin, consumed by grief and a desire for vengeance following the tragedy that struck their family. She has a clear-cut, unyielding view of justice and harbors intense anger toward those responsible for her sister's fate.

Elvira is Inez's deceased cousin whose recent death casts a long shadow over the surviving family members. The circumstances of her demise drive much of the family's conflict, fueling demands for justice and haunting Inez with profound guilt.

Porter is Whitford's younger brother, tasked with managing the fallout of their aristocratic family's severe financial collapse in England. He relies entirely on Whitford to secure the funds necessary to prevent their sister from being forced into an unwanted marriage.

Arabella is Whitford and Porter's younger sister back in England. Due to their father's gambling debts, she faces the grim prospect of being forced into an arranged marriage with an older, wealthy man, motivating Whitford's desperate actions in Egypt.

Monsieur Maspero is the French director of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. As an institutional gatekeeper of Egypt's historical treasures, he represents colonial authority, utilizing his power to selectively enforce laws and dictate access to archaeological discoveries.

Leo is Whitford's estranged military friend. Despite the tension between Whitford and the other soldiers, Leo agrees to help him secure a chaplain for a hasty wedding ceremony, acting as a critical witness despite his obvious surprise at the sudden arrangements.