Dr. Xenon Pearl Neurosurgeon extraordinaire, but as good with a sword as with a scalpel, he is the series protagonist. A complex healer/warrior in whom justice, guilt, compassion, romance, and spiritual questing mix in equal parts. His friends call him Zee.

Grandpa Lou Xenon’s crusty old grandfather, former rabbi, libertarian and free-thinker, he lives alone and communes with the spirits who live in his fountain. Won’t talk to his son-in-law, and hasn’t heard from his wife in thirty years.

Wu, Tie Mei Martial arts master, once Xenon’s nanny, now a guiding ghost in his conscience. With Xenon through many lifetimes, her role in this one is to return him to his true, warrior nature.

Wanda Berkowitz Detective with Broward Sheriff’s office, she is Xenon’s new half-sister and hot on the trail of a vigilante working the streets with a sword.

Vlexei Petrossov Don of the South Florida Russian mafiya, he lives in a waterfront mansion and has a passion for antique speedboats.

Asher Pearl Xenon’s father, he fled Russia, borrowed some money, and opened the Coral Gables haberdashery that sustained the family and sent Zee to medical school.

Jordan Jones That rarest of all rare things, a female bladesmith, and a fine one at that. Following her late father’s lead, she crafts knives and swords with great skill and wonderful eye. Zee comes to her for a blade and ends up with far more.

Roan Cole Anesthesiologist to the stars, and Zee’s best friend, he has a streak of loyalty as wide as Florida Bay, and a temper as easily lit as a wooden match.

John Khalsa Xenon’s boss at the hospital, a neurosurgeon himself as well as a politically-minded adminstrator, he doesn’t care for our hero’s cowboy approach to hospital rules and regulations.

Rafik Petrossov Ill-fated son of Vlexei, he dies on Xenon’s surgical table and thereby starts the cutting season.