Meet the Character -- Dr. Cian

Name: Dr. Zared Cian
Age: 59 Sex: M
Family: Son (Chance, 31)
Infection: Immune / OFAR 'hunter' gene

Zared Cian is a doctor for one reason: a stable income for himself and his son. Fortunately for those under his care, he is naturally gifted at his job. A smoker for years, he is almost always trying to light up. He is often foiled in his attempts by Dr. Ophie. He is affable and hard working, but a little more self-centered than the average doctor. Dr. Cian's speciality is genetic abnormalities. So when the FLI set up its first agency in the state of Alabama, he was called upon to make sure that the lycanthropes were properly identified, both by type and infectivity.

We don't know much about his past, but he must have had one because he has a son older than many of the others in the book. Zared talks about his son a lot, but not much else concerning his personal life. His role in the story is as the pathology lab director. He does genotyping for those wanting to join the FLI in Alabama, as they are required to have the OFAR 'hunter' gene. He also determines which strain of Hensen's disease patients have, as well as their level of infectiousness (or how long they have been infected). He job sometimes also requires him to determine the type of lycanthrope and their 'age' (how long they have been infected) that may have injured or killed a patient/victim. Grim, but someone has to do it. When he can, he aids Dr. Ophie with the patients in the clinic, but he usually stays behind the scenes.

His first name, Zared, is a derivation of the Hebrew 'Jerod,' meaning verdant or of strange descent. Dr. Cian is an African American of the Jewish faith. I really don't know why I decided to do this, other than as a small nod to Sammy David Jr., but I am sure it will come out in the wash eventually. A close relative of a name in the dead sea scrolls is "Yar-rod" which means perpetual leader, something Zared feels like he always is.

The name Cian (pronounced "Kee-an") is Gaelic for ancient, which speaks to his age. 59 isn't ancient, but he is older than his counterparts in the book. Because he is older, he feels that he must be a leader to them, although he doesn't really want to be a leader. If he had his way, he would just be allowed to do his job, and leave the leadership to ALF and Dr. Ophie.

Meet the Character -- Lexi

Name: Alexia Lyall, "Lexi"
Age: 26 Sex: Female
Family: None or unknown
Infection Level: Immune / OFAR 'hunter' Gene
Race: Caucasian / Strong Russian Height: 5'1"
Eyes: Mulled-Cider Brown with deep-set, hooded eyes
Face: Pointy, rather thin nose, well groomed eyebrows, cupid-shaped mouth, high cheek bones and a well-defined jaw.
Hair: Ashen brown (probably dyed), long thick and straight hair, normally pulled back in a ponytail
Body: Small chest, muscula physique typical of those with the tracker gene, especially fond of her muscular calves

Lexi is a new recruit to the FLI unit, as noticed by Ranulf almost exclusively calling her 'Rookie.' She went through the Alabama police academy before deciding to take a tougher career turn and applying for the required genetic testing to be in the FLI. She is very gung-ho and sticks to her training to the letter. However, she is also wet behind the ears, and lacks the experience to deal with a lot of the real-world problems that differ greatly from her training. She is Ranulf's new partner, replacing Lupe, who recently went into semi-retirement. Ranulf is loathe to admit it, but he finds her sometimes overwhelming enthusiasm refreshing and a bit addictive. And he appreciates early on the speed with which she acts. In the first chapter, it was Lexi that downed the third werewolf, by tazing it from behind immediately upon arriving in the squad car.

The biggest thing Lexi has in her favor so far is being so obviously new. Even the lycanthropes underestimate her ability. In chapter three, she gets to register her first werewolf, Boxer, before questioning him about the attack on Lyka and Lowell. Lexi quickly sets Boxer straight on a few things, much to his chagrin. I don't want to give anything away, but I really liked writing the registration scene.

Her call name, Lexi, is a shortened form of a Greek name meaning defender of men. I think this is appropriate for a newly recruited FLI officer. New recruits tend to be the most tenacious in abiding the letter of the law. Her name, Alexia, means defender of mankind. It is a little variation on my wolf-themed names, but I thought the meaning was appropriate for what I envision for her character. As for Lexi's last name, that has gone through many changes. I firstly wanted it to be a solid Russian name, but instead have opted for Lyall, which is Scottish for shield wolf. As a defender of men, she would be a shield between them and the lycanthropes.

Meet the Character -- Lyka

Name: Lyka Rebecca Theron
Age: 30 Sex: Female
Family: Twin brother, Lowell; Father, Willis (location unknown)
Infection Level: Immune / OFAR 'tracker' Gene
Race: Caucasian Height: 5'6" Weight: 120 lbs. (about)
Eyes: Dark green eyes; rounded shape
Face: Groomed eyebrows, slightly arched; small pug nose; full lips, tilted slightly downward; delicate features, thin face, single dimple on right cheek
Hair: Very light brown; wavy hair, reminiscent of surfer hair, which falls to just below shoulders
Body: Fair skin, lightly tanned; average chest, slim build, light muscle structure; ears pierced; small pink and purple butterfly on inside right ankle

Lyka Rebecca Theron was born and raised in Alabama. Her parents are divorced. Her mother died four years ago from cancer, and the whereabouts of her father -- Willis Theron -- is currently unknown. Her twin brother -- Lowell Theron -- lives in Boston, Mass.

The heroine of this story is Lyka Theron. At the beginning, she is just your average Alabama girl; who loves to hang with the guys as well as with the girls, ignorant of much of the world around her. Her job is a wildlife manager and patholigist who works freelance, often taking cases for the city of Birmingham and surrounding cities, as well as the state. When she needs a little down time, she usually spends it at home curled up with a good movie and her mixed-breed basenji, Zeeva.

In her world, the neighborhood is calm, and no harm could possibly come to her there. But, as in real life, statistics show that most accidents and attacks take place close to home. The same goes for her and her brother, Lowell.

After the attacks on her and Lowell, Lyka begins to learn that the world is not black and white. Everything she knows about the world is a little bit skewed, including what she knows about herself. Now she must sort out the real truths around her, as well as realize who she can and cannot trust. Like most people, she does make the occassional mistake, misstep, or mistrust. But, unlike a lot of people, she is willing to go out of her way in the quest of truth and justice.

One of the items I am trying hard not to lose in Lyka is the ability to still see the good in people who seem to everyone else to have changed for the worse. I want to show that you can still have hope and a little innocence even though the world throws you a few curve balls. But, I also want to make sure that she won't be pushed around. At least, not too much.

Her names, like everyone else's, have meanings. Lyka, which is the most recognizable name, is a shortened form of Lykanios, a Greek name meaning wolf. Her last name is also Greek, Theron, meaning hunter or untamed. So her name literally means "wolf hunter." Technically, she is not a werewolf hunter, she is a wildlife biologist. But, let me just say that her name will take on more meaning as time goes by... hopefully.


Her middle name, Rebecca, is for her grandmother, who died shortly before the twins were born. It is a Hebrew name meaning peacemaker or trustworthy, something that I think fits in well with her character. Lyka feels more for those around her than for herself. She even puts the need of her dog, Zeeva, above her own after she is attacked by lycanthropes. Rebecca was definitely a great choice for her inner self name.