Chicagoland Vampires

In the fictional world of the series there are a host of supernatural beings: vampires, shapeshifters, sorcerers/witches, nymphs, fairies, angels, demons, and trolls. Vampires are the only supernatural beings who have announced their existence to the human public; however, almost all human governing officials know of the remaining sups. Before the first book, Chicago’s Major, Tate Seth, created the Ombudsman’s office to funnel all supernatural issues into one office.

The Vampire world is organized through a feudal-like system with Masters in charge of each House. Vampires are to swear alliance to their Masters during Commendation ceremonies and are from then on to faithfully serve their Houses and Masters. There are 12 houses in the United States, McDonald, Cabot, Taylor, Lincoln, Washington, Heart, Lassiter, Murphey, Sheridan, Cadogan, Navarre, and Grey—-the latter three are located in Chicago. The Navarre House, the oldest house is Chicago, was founded before before the Great Fire by Master Celina Desaulniers. The Cadogan House, founded by Peter Cadogan, is the second oldest and only house in Chicago that still drinks from humans (there are two others worldwide). Cadogan’s current Master is Ethan Sullivan who protects 380 vampire members nationally, 97 of whom live in the house located in Hyde Park. Grey House, the youngest in Chicago, is run by its sports-obsessed Master Scott Grey. There is also a faction of rouge vampires around the United States who do not have affiliations with any of the Houses; for political purposes, they are represented by Noah Beck. Vampires in North America and Western Europe are politically organized/controlled by the Greenwich Presidium, a governing body headed by Darius West. As a whole, vampires are evaluated on Phys (physical strength, stamina, skills) Psych ( physic and mental abilities) Strat( Strategic and ally consideration) and fight with a mix of Judo, Iaidō, Kendo, and Kenjutsu, often using Katana. Chicagoland vampires' eyes silver when they are angered or "excited," and unlike in other vampire series, these vampires become unconscious when the sun rises and not only eat food but crave it.

Shapeshifters are the supernatural group with the largest numbers, over 3,000 in the United States. They are born with the ability to shift freely from human to animal (usually with one specific animal and human form). They are politically organized into packs; there are four packs in the United States--the one connected to Chicago is headed by Gabriel Keene. Shifters and vampires have a tenuous relationship since the Second Clearings, when they purportedly retreated to Alaska, blended in with the Wilderness, and forced the vampires to fight for themselves.

While all supernaturals contain elements of magic, Sorcerers and Witches have the ability to harness and manipulate that magic. Their powers are broken down into four classes (based on knowledge of the minor and major Keys). They are politically organized under a large union—-the Order (Union of Amalgamated Sorcerers and Spellcasters)—-which is broken down into local chapters.

Nymphs are small, slim, busty, doe-eyed, moody females prone to tears and territorial behavior. They are known for their ability to control and manipulate men, and in Chicago, for their considerable control of the Chicago River’s currents.

Fairies comprise the external security company that protects the Cadogan Vampire House.

Merit

Known only by her last name, Merit is a dark hair, blue eyed, 27 year old English graduate student at the University of Chicago working on her dissertation (Romantic Medieval literature) when she is bitten. She is an avid fan of the Bears and the [[Chicago Cubs |Cubs, musicals, and was a former ballet dancer. Her well-known fashion sense consists of tees, tanks, and Pumas rather than the fashion couture associated with Cadogan house. From the very beginning of Book 1, she fosters a mutual hatred and attraction/passion toward Ethan Sullivan, her Master, and the end of Book 1 he names her Sentinel of the Cadogan house.

Mallory Delancey Carmichael

Mallory is Merit’s blue eyed, blue haired roommate and long time friend. She lost her parent in car accident years ago and inherited the house Merit and her live in from her great-aunt Rose. Prior to learning she is a witch, Mallory worked as an ad executive for McGettrick-Combs--a position she actually willed herself into getting. Throughout the series she is involved with Catcher Bell.

Ethan Sullivan

Ethan, known by some as Darth Sullivan, is the 394 years old Master of Cadogan House. He was turned during the Thirty Years' War at the age of 30 and is 6’ 3’’, lean, with broad shoulders, long legs, straight, shoulder-length, golden blonde hair, knife-edge cheekbones, a firm jaw, and a strong brow. He is known for his impeccable black Armani suits and amazing fashion sense. Throughout Books 1 ans 2, he fosters a mutual hatred and attraction/passion for Merit.

Morgan Greer

Morgan is the 72 year old “Second” in Navarre House (and later its Master). He has dark brown, cropped, vaguely wavy hair, a cleft chin, and a strong jaw. He is Packer fan (born in Madison who runs the Red night Club (inherited from father)and asks permission to “court” Merit during a dramatic and tense inter-house meeting at the end of Book 1.

Catcher Bell

Catcher is a former sorcerer who works in the Ombud’s office. He is a “gruff” 29 year old with a shaved head, tattoos, and pale green eyes. He was kicked out of the Order for unknown reasons connected to his desire to stay in Chicago. He is an expert in the Second Key (weapons and objects of power) and dates Mallory in Book 2.

Jeff Christopher

Jeff is tall, lanky, mop-top sporting 21 year old computer prodigy and shapeshifter whose shape is unknown. Throughout Books 1 and 2, he has a pretty large crush on Merit.

Chuck Merit

Chuck, Merit’s Grandfather, is a former cop of 34 years and currently the Ombudsman—-a liaison who function between the human and supernatural worlds--for the city of Chicago. He is (affectionately) known as Merit’s second father.

Joshua Merit

Joshua is Merit’s father. He is tall and lean with chestnut hair and blue eyes. He built and currently runs Merit Properties, a real estate development company managing high rises and apartment complexes throughout Chicago. He is a powerful (and manipulative) member of the Chicago Growth Council and of Chicago’s high society in general; however, his relationship with Merit has always been tense and strained.

Meredith Merit

Meredith is Merit’s mother. A woman of propriety, she is always dressed perfectly, with blonde coiffed hair.

Charlotte Merit

Merit’s sister Charlotte is married to Major Corkburger. They have a baby, Olivia, and an older daughter Mary Katherine. While connected to the family’s business and money, Charlotte is not terribly close to Merit; however, the sisters do foster a mutual annoyance with their brother Robert.

Robert Merit

Robert, Merit’s older brother, is being groomed to take over the family business and wants to be able to use Merit’s new vampire connection to help him do so.

Lindsey

A Guard for the Cadogan house, Lindsey has been in the House for 115 years and is the resident psychic. She is a blonde known for her stilettos and designers jeans. Originally from Iowa, she is an avid Yankees fan who maintains a rather confused relationship with Luc throughout Books 1 and 2.

Luc

Cadogan guards' “leader,” Luc is a rule-bound dutiful Guard who is respected and trusted by Ethan. Throughout Books 1 and 2 he is “secretly” interested in Lindsey, his fellow guard.

Peter (Spencer)

Peter is a 30-something year old, 6 foot Cadogan Guard with a thin build and brown hair just past his shoulders. He has been in Cadogan for 38 years and is known for his “contacts.” In Book 2 he becomes known as the traitor of Cadogan House.

Juliet

Another Cadogan Guard, Juliet is an 85 year old, feylike redhead who has been in Cadogan for 54 years.

Kelley

Kelley is a 214 years old, dark haired Cadogan Guard known for her mechanical and software genius.

Malik

Malik has sat as “Second” to Ethan at Cadogan since 1883. He was turned with his wife, whom he lives with in Cadogan.

Helen

Helen acts as the social coordinator for Cadogan House.

Amber

Amber is Ethan Sullivan’s Consort/girlfriend in Book 1. She is known for her red hair and possessiveness over Ethan. However, she betrays him by working with Celina throughout Book 1.

The Breckenridge Family

A family of shifters who get caught up in Celina’s manipulative plot in Book 2. Mother: Julia, Father: known as Papa, and children: Nick, Finley, Michael, Jamie. They own a steel manufacturing company and like the Merits, belong to Chicago’s high society. It is rumored that Jamie may be the weak shifter among the family.

Mayor Seth Tate

Named “America’s Sexiest Politician,” Tate is a 36 year old, darkly handsome man who is officially single but is rumored to have mistresses throughout the city. While currently in his second term, he founded the Ombudsman office and has a particular interest in the political position and power of the vampire community.

Gabriel Keene

Garbirel stands as the shifter pack leader of the Apex of the Central North American. He is married to Tonya, who is pregnant with Connor in Book 2.

Lindsey Sheridan

A master strategist and manipulator, Lindsey is the only Master vampire Ethan has nominated for Testing. She was with Cadogan for 25 years and is currently the Master of her own house in San Diego. She is a tall, thin, blonde haired, blue eyed vampire who looks like she stepped out of an Ann Taylor catalogue. During her time at Cadogan, she was known to be “involved” with Ethan.

Pennebaker

He is the Merit’s long-time snooping, tattling butler.

Jennifer Porter and Patricia Long

Jennifer and Patricia are the two humans killed in Book 1 throughout the course of Celina’s plans.

Amit Patel

Amit is the strongest vampire known. He is respected and revered by Ethan; however, heavoids all politics.

When Book 1 starts Merit lives with Mallory in their Wicker Park Brownstone. She is attacked on campus late at night on her way back from the library and turned vampire by Ethan Sullivan in order to save her life. She is given an invitation to join Cadogan House and about one week to decide her allegiances before the House’s Commendation ceremony.

As Merit attempts to adjust, a medal from her potential new House is found at the murder of Jennifer Porter and an investigation into the Houses’ involvement in the murder begins. In the process, Merit learns that her grandfather works as a liaison in the Mayor’s Ombud’s office, and as Ethan accuses her of spying for her grandfather "First Hunger" hits Merit. In a tense, (deliciously) sexual scene, Merit nearly bites Ethan and is propositioned by him to become his Consort. While attracted to Ethan, Merit is appalled by the offer and so begins their love/hate relationship.

Merit begins training with Cather Bell, an excommunicated sorcerer who works with her Grandfather at the Ombud’s office. Mallory tags along to the first training session and is immediately attracted to Cather. The three get breakfast after training and then decide to go dancing at Club Red. While Mallory and Cather dance, Merit meets Morgan. Their dance is flirtatious until they realize they are from different houses. Celina soon realizes Merit’s presence in the club and “magically” sizes up her and her powers.

The next day Morgan comes to apologize to Merit just as the body of Patricia Long is found with evidence of a “jersey” vampire fleeing the scene. While the Houses continue to be implicated for the murders of these two human girls, Cadogan holds its Commendation Ceremony. Like the other new House members, Merit is telepathically “called” by Ethan; however, his glamour does not pull her forward in the ceremony. Despite the scene she unusual aversion to glamour causes, Ethan names Merit Sentinel of the Cadogan House. Merit soon meets the other guards and begins to learn the ropes of protecting the House and its Master (while also inadvertently catching Ethan with his Consort Amber is rather “compromising” positions).

As news of the murders spread, Catcher meets with Ethan and Merit and works to convince him to call the Houses together to discuss the murders. Before Ethan can do so, a group of rouge vampires burst into Cadogan to confront Ethan. Soon after Morgan enters the meeting with a note that threatens Celina's life. As tensions rise, Morgan accuses Ethan of conspiracy, and Merit draws her sword to protect her Master and fulfill her duty as Sentinel. In the heat of the moment, Morgan agrees to back down is exchange for a favor from Merit. Moments later, he reveals that the favor is permission to court her. Ethan telepathically orders Merit to accept his courtship for the political advantages their alliance will build.

Later that night Ethan receives a note to meet in Lincoln Park for more information on the murders. He is met by Celina who reveals her involvement in the murders and the death threat written to herself; she confesses her plan to make her house, Naverre, look like “decent vampires” and her ultimate vision to manipulate an all out war. Ethan refuses to join her, and Merit stakes Celina in the shoulder moments before she strikes to kill Ethan. The book ends with Merit considering the different ways Celina and her actions may be interpreted after the event: will she be viewed as traitor to be hated and shunned or as a martyr to be respected and followed.

Book 2 takes place about two months after Celina’s capture and excommunication to England. When the book begins, Merit is making plans to move into the Cadogan House, and the vampire community itself has gained a certain level of celebrity. There are rumors that the shifter pack leader Gabriel Keene intends to hold a shapeshifters conference in Chicago and that the Chicago World Weekly, and Jamie Breckenridge in particular, is taking a particular interest in the underground vampire raves (flash mobs of sorts that meet and mass feed). In order to understand the media and Jamie’s motive, Ethan asks Merit to return to her family and their high society connections.

Before Ethan and Merit can attend their first high society gathering, they learn that the GP has released Celina. Compounding the stress for Merit, Mallory learns that she will need to leave for Schaumburg for magic training. Ethan and Merit do finally attend a attend an event at the Breckenridge’s in order to “reintroduce” Merit and better understand the situation with Jamie and Nick; during the course of the night they are cornered by Joshua Merit and Nick Breckenridge, both of whom are not entirely happy about Merit’s new “condition” and the new company she keeps.

During Mallory’s “not-so-going-away party,” Ethan interrupts Merit and Morgan’s date insisting that they investigate the site of a rave rumored to have occurred earlier in the night. Cather, Mallory, Merit, and Ethan all investigate the house and find the remains of the rave in three bloody mattresses. Mallory confronts Merit the next morning about her relationship with Morgan and Ethan, questioning whether her actions are leading Morgan on. Merit is unable to reconcile the situation since she must head, again, to another society event with Ethan. Ethan confesses his interest in Merit—once more--as they dance, and soon after Merit’s father and the Breckenridge’s corner them and accuse them of making death threats against Jamie. The Breckenridges, and an enraged Nick, give the vampire Houses 24 hours to resolve the issue before they go to the police and media.

Ethan moves quickly to contact the other Masters to help investigate, and Merit enlists the help of Jeff Christopher to find the origin of the threat email; she then makes her way to the library where she and Ethan share a very, very, (very) sexy moment of forbidden lust. They are soon interrupted by Malik and the presence of the other vampire Masters. Throughout the course of their conversations, Merit realizes the Breckenridges are Shifters. Merit asks Jeff to help them understand Shifter pack politics, and Jeff later reveals that Peter, on of Cadogan’s Guards, sent the threatening email. Merit and the Guards layout a plan to trap Peter in the act of betrayal. When corner at the pier, Peter confesses his connections to Celina, and Merit fights him until he is captured by Ethan and excommunicated.

After a meeting with the Masters and Breckenridges, Morgan and Merit decide to end their “relationship,” and on her way back to the house, Merit is cornered by Celina . Their fight introduces questions about Morgan’s loyalties, an issue with Merit’s sister, and Ethan’s motives in turning Merit. Throughout the course of arguing, Celina goads Merit into “letting go,” into “releasing her humanity.” Once enraged and battered by Celina, Merit searches out Ethan to fight him. After intense fighting, Mallory enters and uses her magic to stop Merit.

Merit wakes up on her bed, sick, realizing she is undergoing “the rest of the change” and explains to Ethan about her biological split. In the final scene, Ethan “punishes” Merit for her challenge by making her social chair of Cadogan alongside Helen and advising her that her Sentinel duties will change in new ways—-bringing her “to the streets.” Ethan quickly introduces Merit to Gabriel Keene, who hints that he and Merit are already “like family,” and the book ends with Merit following the string of mysterious invitations she has received and running off to meet an unknown party at the Buckingham fountain.

• Chloe Neill’s website: [1]

• Chloe Neill’s Blog: [2]

• The “official” site of the Cadogan House: [3]

• Interviews/guest blogging with Chloe Neill: [4],

[5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14],

• (informal) Reviews: [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]