Character Sketch: Lillian Elinor Sinclair "Lilly"

Our heroine.

- Lilly's on the petite side at 5'4".
- She's slender with a curvy frame.
- She has an oval face, reddish brown hair, and hazel eyes. Lilly is definitely pretty.

Lilly Sinclair is a fairly confident young woman. She is the youngest of 3, having both an older sister, Catherine, and a brother, Matthew. Her sister is married, with 2 kids of her own, and works as a nurse in Columbus, OH. Matt is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in Texas. Her parents have permanently retired to Florida.

Lilly received a BA in English from Muskingum College. She is currently studying for her master's degree in gothic literature from Wright State University in Fairborn, OH. She's almost finished, with only the completion of her thesis, and it's defense, to go.

Lilly began working for Isaac Shapiro at his bookstore when was 17 and has been working there ever since. Isaac looked on Lilly as a granddaughter or favored niece, to the point of leaving her most of his estate upon his death. For her part, Lilly dearly loved Isaac. She hasn't really nearly begun to really get over his violent death.

Isaac is also the one who talked Lilly into returning to college for her master's degree. She took a year off after the beloved grandmother's death, but is otherwise doing well.

Lilly was living with her grandmother after moving home from Muskingum. Her parents were alredy in Florida by that point. Her grandmother left her the house upon her death. Lilly's taken exceptional care of it since then, considering it one of her haven's from the rest of the world.

Character Sketch: Blake Cressley, the Bad Guy

Blake Cressley - the bad guy

- just under 6" tall
- short cut, medium brown hair shot through in places w/ grey
- cold blue eyes
- medium build - He's solid, neither slender or heavy-set

Blake is always well-groomed - expensive hair cuts; tailor-made suits; simple, yet expensive gold jewelry

Cressley carries himself with a definite air of confidence and self-assurance. He is a successful businessman in the Dayton area. He is also a major player on the criminal scene. Blake Cressley is not a man lightly crossed, because doing so usually ends with a fatality.

When he wants something done, he usually puts out word to the streets. There are some who report to him, or at least to his lieutenants. The first goons Lilly encounters falls into this category. Tim and his cohort, whom Lilly has a run in with later on falls into the second category of goons who hear the word on the street and act accordingly. Their payoff is collecting the bounty/reward for the job and/or earning favor with Cressley.

When necessary, Cressley is also willing to get his own hands dirty. His vicious murder of Isaac Shapiro is proof enjoy of that.

Now he's got his sights on poor Lilly. Cressley is certain she can lead him to the Calyx Cup, an ancient artifact he believes will make him immortal. And obviously, he's willing to torture, rape, and kill to get it.