Erika Johnson
Erika's story pretty much starts with her meeting Ian. Let's go back a bit. Erika was only five when her father walked out on her and her mother. He's not mentioned in the story simply because he never had to be. Erika was always the outgoing and confident kid, even though she and her mom had to move a lot while she was still young. They finally settled in Flagstaff, AZ in July 2006. Soon after, Erika's mom found a steady job and the family of two settled into a relaxed life-style.
Erika met Ian early December 2007, and was immediately swept up in his extraordinary life. August 16th, 2008, she and Ian were married and, that night, Erika became pregnant with a baby girl. Tuesday, May 11th, 2009, Aradia Chayse Ironstone was born.
Ian Ironstone
Ian, as you know, is a vampire. But he's a lot different from the legend-version of the vamps. Ian was born a vampire, not made. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in Flagstaff, deep in a forest to avoid any complications with humans. (NOTE: Ian is 19, but vamps age so fast that they should technically die before reaching 20 years old) He and his family live off the blood of animals, unlike the legend-vamps. Soon after he met Erika, the Ironstones moved from their old home and into Erika's neighborhood in an attempt to get the nearby werewolves off their trail.
A couple months later, while being attacked by a mystery vampire from Daemon's side, Ian unlocked his "gift" and realized he could shield himself and others from any other powers that fool around with your brain.
Ian was forced to kill Lyra in Chapter Six (Part One) in order to save Erika from Daemon. He then killed Daemon as well, ending all the chaos with the Nightshade Clan.
August 16th, 2008, Ian married Erika and became the father to a baby girl. Tuesday, May 11th, 2009, Aradia Chayse Ironstone was born.
Loretta Ironstone
Who doesn't love Loretta? She's sassy, sarcastic, b-witchy at times, and she's an awesome little sister. Obviously, she's Ian's little sister. Her story is pretty much the same as Ian's, just with a few minor differences
Loretta unlocked her "gift" when she was very young, surprising her family and friends. She can get a sense of what a person's intentions are, meaning that if someone met her or her family somewhere and wanted to do them harm, she would know, She sensed that Erika's intentions were nothing but good, and so Loretta told Erika her family's biggest secret. Loretta becomes very close with Erika and, despite being "younger", offers her advice and support throughout Erika's troubles. Same with Ian. As much as Loretta loves to annoy Ian, she loves him more than anyone else. Loretta would die to save Ian's life, and vice-versa.
Gabriel Evanson
Gabriel has been Ian's best friend since they were both very young. Though their friendship was strained at times (chapter 4 especially), Gabe and Ian remained tight---Ian saves Gabriel's life in chapter 5, if you need more proof.
Gabriel met Avra when she moved to Flagstaff with her abusive father. After finding out that Avra's father beat her constantly, he unlocked his second gift (if he envisions a person or place he has seen before, he will be able to see a vision of where they/it are/is and what they/it is/are doing.), and saw her dying due to a harsh beating from her father. He got to her in time to save her by turning her into a vampire. (Read "Black and Blue," Avra and Gabriel's story, HERE)
Gabriel also has the power of reading minds.
Mid-January 2009, he and Avra became parents of a baby girl, Jasmine Lyra Evanson.
Lyra Evanson
Lyra was Gabriel's fraternal twin sister, and Loretta's best friend. She and Gabriel met the Ironstones when they (the Evansons) moved to Flagstaff with their parents to start a new life. She and Gabriel eventually moved into a house on their own, wanting to have a reprive from their slightly controlling parents.
Lyra very suddenly went from a very sweet, open girl to a snarky, overly-sarcastic pain in the butt in chapter three, deeply worrying Gabriel and her friends. She goes off on her own almost all the time, seemingly content with being secluded from everyone else.
Lyra made a sudden turnaround a couple months later, jumping right back into school and becoming disturbingly chummy with her brother and friends. It was soon figured out that she had joined/been pulled into the Nightshade Clan early on, hence being the one to tell Daemon about Ian and Erika's relationship and whereabouts. It was also discovered that she was the vampire who had tried to control Ian in the forest, unknowingly triggering his defensive gift. She had hidden her talent from her family and friends to keep her involvement with the Nightshade Clan a secret.
Lyra was killed by Ian in Chapter Six (Part One).
Avra Greene
Avra wasn't always a vampire. For the first eighteen years of her life, Avra lived with her father, a consistent alcoholic. Her mother had divorced her father when Avra was fourteen, but her father managed to get full custody of her, for reasons unknown. One night, after being dropped off by Gabe at her house, her father beat her to the point of death in a drunken rage. Luckily, Gabe unlocked his second gift (see his bio) and saw her in time to save her by turning her into a vampire. (Read "Black and Blue," Avra and Gabriel's story, HERE)
Avra has the gift of control. She can plant a thought in a person's (or vampire's) mind and make them do her will, completely brain washing them. She says she doens't like to use it much; it makes her feel like she's "posessing someone."
Avra became pregnant early May 2008, giving birth to a baby girl, Jasmine, on January 18th, 2009.