Deathly Unloved
Character Interviews
Rune Marakai Harme Deyanira
Alias: Rune Mannaz
Height: 5.2"
Hair: Red/Crimson
Eyes: Indigo
Hello, Rune.
Hi.
You always look like you’re up to something when you smile.
What? I’m not, I swear. [she laughs] This is just my face.
You go through quite an interesting time in the book. Was it scary finding out you’re not nephilim?
Yeah. I didn’t know what was going on. Growing my tail was really painful and the signs freaked me out too. They look awesome, but I was super confused about where they’d come from. But a lot of stuff about my past makes more sense now. I just wish Trista had told me when I was little.
Do you mind if people call you a succubus?
Nah. It makes me sound sexy. But I don’t think other seduction demons appreciate that term because it’s not accurate.
Knowing what you do now, if you magically had the choice to be a purebred demon or be born the way you are, what would you choose?
I mean, I grew up with angelic culture so it’s a big part of me, but let’s not make this pretty. It would be way easier if I didn’t have that heritage. The sivehe I’ve met have been pretty welcoming because of the way we met, but it’s still obvious that I’m an outsider. I don’t know what it’ll be like when I get to Hallow. The other units won’t be forced to spend time with me like Fernfire are, so they might just snub me or tease me.
What are you most afraid will happen when you get to Hallow?
I’m scared everyone is going to be horrible to me and I’m going to hate it.
If you were an animal, which one would you be?
Probably a wolf.
What does friendship mean for you?
Maybe I’ll find out now that I have some friends.
If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?
Trista panics, so she’d think the worst, like I hit someone, or broke in and vandalised a place, or got caught for drug possession.
Favourite Disney leading lady?
Megara.
Something you’re really bad at?
Keeping my temper under control. Not too hot at schoolwork either.
Natural talent?
My cards are my talent, but not a natural one. It took a lot of time to get good at it.
If you could switch bodies with someone for a day, who would you choose and why?
Um…Oh, probably Rush or another angel. I always loved stroking Trista’s feathers and envied all her tainted friends. Having wings would be wonderful. I’d love to be able to fly.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I have no idea. Maybe in Hallow living with some of my new friends. Or I might be back in Mythyrea, but not with Trista. Maybe Rush and I could live together.
Do you have any ideas about what the sequel should be called?
Um…regal…Royally…Something. Royally Screwed. [she laughs] It makes sense though!
I can’t have that. It makes it sound like erotica.
You should do it. It would be funny.
Saxony Diesta Bayesian Dellalune
Alias: Sally Bayer
Height: 5.5"
Hair: Black/White
Eyes: Silver
Hello, Saxony.
Greetings.
Readers don’t know much about you yet. You’re the third oldest in Fernfire, aren’t you?
Yes. Fourth if you include Rune, but she was actually born into Moonscar.
Tell us about yourself. What do you like doing?
I enjoy hiking and spending time by myself in nature. I’m quite interested in mineralogy and animals. As for indoor activities, I like strategy board games and writing.
Favourite place?
There’s this tarn in the mountains of Devyres where the lake water appears a vivid shade of blue. It’s beautiful.
Something you’re really bad at?
I’m not very good at cooking, but I’m frightfully dreadful at arts and crafts.
Natural talent?
I don’t think I really have any. I’m above average at certain things, but not outstandingly so. Most of what I’m good at are things in which I’ve had extra training. I wasn’t born with a natural aptitude for something like Seethe with art or Talon’s voice.
Most of the youthlings have short tempers and little patience, but you seem to be more level-headed and diplomatic.
Those things are in our nature, but I can hold myself back because I see past my rage. When a human insults me, I want to claw them in the face the same as everyone else, but the ramifications are enough to stop me. Some of the others have an awful time trying to control their anger. Their instinct is too strong and they lose track of that awareness.
There you go. You do have a gift!
Yes, I suppose so. It’s not very impressive, but at least it’s practical.
You first met Rune when you went to her house. What was it like suddenly getting a new classmate?
Rather shocking, but it was a nice surprise. She seems like a lovely natured girl. Had it not been for the war, I believe we would have been friends, seeing as we both have a sovereign parent.
What’s it like having a sovereign parent?
I don’t remember Vexcella, so I don’t have any experience of it on a personal level, but it certainly presents me with more opportunities than the rest of my unit. It’s rare for anyone to be cruel to me or try to fight me.
Do you like when demons remark on your likeness to your mother?
It makes me feel closer to her so I like that aspect. However, I detest being compared to her because she was such an incredible demoness. I feel dreadfully inadequate next to her, so inexperienced and naive.
You and Seethe have the cutest relationship in the unit.
Oh. Well, that would be because it has Seethe in it. Seethe makes everything cute.
If you could switch bodies with someone for a day, who would you choose and why?
Seethe, of course! So I could know what life was like from her perspective. Really, I should say one of the poorer demons from Bardios, so I could better understand their needs when I become their ruler.
What is the stupidest way you’ve been injured?
Hmm…I did once drop a poleaxe on my foot, which isn’t an overly clever thing to do. Luckily the blade didn’t cut me.
When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a duchessa, because everyone told me that’s what I would be. It was only when I was older that I realised there were massive drawbacks to such a role and that it might not be something I wanted.
Can we expect to see more of you in the sequel?
Don’t worry, you’ll see a lot more of me in the sequel.