Character guide

Antony Ferrara

major

Also known as Ferrara, young Ferrara, Mr. Antony Ferrara

Ferrara moves through London society as a wealthy, charming man about town, heir to Sir Michael's fortune and trusted as a brother by Myra Duquesne. Yet Robert Cairn senses something wrong—why does Ferrara need a fire on a blazing night?—and the museum encounter confirms it: he wears the Witch-Queen's ring, the original, while the case holds only a copy. He is the quiet center of dread around which every early mystery turns.

Dr. Bruce Cairn

major

Also known as Dr. Cairn, Bruce Cairn, dear Cairn

Dr. Cairn belongs to the generation that remembers things better left forgotten, and when his son brings him tales of spiders and bats and secret incense, he does not laugh. He is the one who understands that a vampire's victim may also be its weapon, who knows the ring of the Witch-Queen and what it means. His authority anchors the investigation; without his grim knowledge, Robert would be alone against the dark.

Robert Cairn

major

Also known as Robert, Mr. Cairn, Mr. Robert Cairn, Cairn

Robert Cairn returned from Egypt with lines on his face that tell of fires passed through, and now he works at the British Museum on articles while hunting Antony Ferrara through London. He loves Myra Duquesne, who still thinks of Ferrara as a brother, and must keep the truth from her while every night might bring some unholy visitant to his rooms. He is the eyes through which the horror is seen, and the will that refuses to break.

Dr. Sime

supporting

Also known as Sime, Sime the phlegmatic

Sime is the skeptical medical man, the one who laughs gruffly at native superstitions about khamsin and demons, who tells Cairn they will get out of their depth. Yet he watches his friend covertly and sees the nervous disaster written there, wonders how near Cairn came to insanity. He is the rational world looking on, and his slow unease measures how far the story has drifted from the ordinary.

Myra Duquesne

supporting

Also known as Myra, Duquesne, Miss Myra, Miss Duquesne

Myra has been brought beneath Dr. Cairn's roof as a feudal baron gathers those he must protect, and she is grateful without knowing why. She dreams—of a barn-like building, a silver lamp she has seen in Antony's rooms, an iron box, a book in strange characters—and repeats these dreams to the two men who understand their import. She is the heart the sorcery circles, the innocent whose trust in Ferrara makes the danger almost unbearable.

Lord Lashmore

supporting

Also known as Lashmore, Dhoon

Lord Lashmore carries the name Dhoon, and with it a doom: a headless ancestress whose spirit hungers still, and a family line that has dwindled to him alone. He is the target of a possession he cannot see coming, the wealthy widower-to-be whose death would enrich a hidden enemy. Dr. Cairn warns him to lock his doors at night, but the threat walks in wearing Lady Lashmore's shape, and the horror closing on him shows the true reach of Ferrara's design.

Sir Michael Ferrara

minor

Also known as Sir Michael, Michael Ferrara, the late Sir Michael Ferrara

Deceased father of Antony Ferrara, a former occultist.

Lady Lashmore

minor

Also known as Lady Lashmore, a South American Lady Lashmore

Wife of Lord Lashmore, affected by supernatural events.

Mr. Saunderson

minor

Also known as Saunderson, James Saunderson

Acquaintance involved in the occult circle.

Sir Elwin Groves

minor

Also known as Sir Elwin, Groves

Patient of Dr. Cairn suffering from supernatural affliction.

Mirza

minor

Also known as the Spirit Mirza

Spirit or entity summoned in occult rituals.

Ali Mohammed

minor

Also known as Ali Mohammed es-Suefi

Egyptian mystic who recounts a tale of dark magic.

Crombie

minor

Minor character assisting in the investigation.

Miss Saunderson

minor

Also known as Saunderson

Daughter of Mr. Saunderson, briefly appears.

Rob

minor

Servant or assistant to the Cairn household.

Walton

minor

Servant or associate of the Cairns.

Mrs. Hume

minor

Housekeeper or matron in the Cairn household.

Felton

minor

Servant who appears in the Cairn home.

Eileen

minor

Briefly mentioned female character.

Hai

minor

Minor character in the Egyptian storyline.

Chambers

minor

Servant or minor functionary.

Paul Dhoon

minor

Also known as Paul, a Dhoon

Relative of Lord Lashmore with occult knowledge.

Wilson

minor

Also known as Will

Minor servant or assistant.

Marston

minor

Minor character mentioned in passing.