Tothestreets,“Raq”Thomasiscold,hardandfierce—asuccessfulanddeadlywomantakingnamesinaman’sworld.Sheistough,resolute,ruthless,butRaqstilliscapableoflove.Greatlove.Thesolerecipientofthataffectionisherson,Kanan;heiseverythingtoher.Asmuchasshecaresforhim,though,therearemanyinstanceswhereonewondersifsheloveshimforwhoheisorifsheloveshimmerelyasanextensionofherself.Themiddlechildofthree,Raqalsocarriestheheavyburdenastheearnerforhertwobrothers.Sheisthesun,andeveryoneelseinheruniverseexistsinherorbit.