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Read about 'The Heirs' in Heirs of the Night

Alisa is a keen reader with a curious mind. She finds herself entangled in a mystery when the Spark chooses her and reveals a connection she shares with Dracula. Life aboard the Elisabetha is new and strange to her, and as she navigates the feuds between the other heirs, she tries to keep the secret of the Spark hidden. Along with her brother Tammo, she is the last of the Vamalia clan, with only her grandmother and Hindrick, a shadow, to act as her guardians since her parents' mysterious demise. Alisa has many secrets, even from her own brother: she is a vampire with a human heartbeat. She feels disappointed by the Vamalia power she wields, the power of love, and wonders how she can stop Dracula gathering the lost rubies when she doesn't even understand the power of her own.

As the son of Baron Magnus, the powerful leader of the Dracas clan, Lars feels compelled to prove himself. The Dracas were known to be merciless during the clan wars and Lars feels he must live up to this. His family's motto demands "eternal strength" and he has been brought up to despise any admission of weakness - even in himself. But despite this, he finds himself unable to find his place in the world until he learns to share his thoughts and feelings with the other heirs... especially Alisa. He is drawn to her, against the rules of his family's creed. Lars uses the Dracas ruby to communicate telepathically, but as his father holds more clan rubies, he is also gifted with telekinesis.

Ivy of clan Lycana arrives late to the Elisabetha. As the other clans believed the Lycana were wiped out, they are suspicious of her at first. Ivy and her brother Seymour escaped from the clan war, but he was trapped in his wolf form after the Lycana ruby was stolen. Shy but inquisitive, Ivy is quick to make friends with Alisa, and finds she has much in common with the other Heirs. The Lycana ruby's power allows the bearer to transform into an animal, but since its loss, none of the Lycana clan may use it. Ivy is actually a shadow to the true Lycana Heir, her 'brother', Seymour.

The oldest of the Heirs in the school and Heir to the Vyrad clan. Malcolm feels the pressure to do right but he has a mischievous streak. He likes to bend the rules and trouble is never far behind. A good friend to Lars, Malcolm encourages his rebellious qualities. The Vyrad ruby's power is the ability to control the elements, including snow, wind, fog and rain.

Tammo is the youngest living vampire of all clans, and looks to his sister Alisa for protection. Having lived in hiding all his life, he is inexperienced with the world and misses his parents very much. For him, Hindrik is the closest he’s had to a friend; he sometimes tells him stories about his parents.

Luciano is the charismatic son of Conte Claudio and Contessa Viola; Italian, cute and always well dressed. He has a kind heart and makes time to help the other heirs. He wields the Nosferas ruby's power, the ability to make holy objects ineffective against vampires.

Fanny af Dracas is a typical Dracas vampire – arrogant and merciless. So strong is her love for the Dracas clan, she thinks that the powers of the other clans are worthless when compared to hers. Her cousin, Lars, and her sister, Inger, are all the allies she needs. Or so she thinks.

Inger is Fanny's sister, but isn't exactly like her. She enjoys a good joke but she knows when her sister has gone too far.

Heir of the French vampire clan, the Pyras, Joanne is very smart and likes to learn. She becomes quick friends with Tammo and Luciano, and as the youngest vampires they stick together. Her clan’s power is talking to animals, a feat she excels in. She talks a lot to her rat Easy, while also spending time coaching the other heirs to share her power too.

Seymour is the last real Heir of the Lycana clan. He suddenly found himself alone without his family, and turned Ivy because he was lonely and wanted a big sister.