Maria and Ian

Maria became the central character of my novel because of her personality. Even at her lowest, she was a soft-hearted person. Nowhere is this more apparent than how she interacts with those around her. She took Ian in when he was a stray infant on the verge of death and nursed him back to health. That same winter, before the end of act one, she gave him to Sarah as a gesture of good will, and they're together through the entire story. I won't spoil too much, but Maria's group isn't the only one with powers. The effects of her care and compassion run deeper than most people could know. She's the strongest not because of her raw power, but because of the lives she touches as the narrative goes on. Ian is the ultimate example.