Nyx in the House of Night

to overthrow his former master and take his place in heaven.
    Rephaim
    (Hebrew) 1. Shade or spirit (from the netherworld) 2. To heal
    In mythology . . .
The term Rephaim refers to two separate things in Hebrew mythology. The first is a biblical race of giants closely related to the Nephilim (Goliath was said to be a Rephaim). Rephaim also refers to shades or spirits from the netherworld. Etymologically, the word Rephaim derives from the Hebrew verb meaning, “to heal.”
    In the House of Night . . .
Rephaim is the firstborn and favorite of Kalona’s Raven Mocker children. The Hebrew spirit/shade meaning of his name is linked to the Cherokee Kalona Ayeliski , as Rephaim embodies all of these myths and implications. Like the biblical Rephaim, he is a mixture of the divine and human. As a Kalona Ayeliski , he is a creature of darkness and life-stealing shade (he kills Anastasia Lankford in Hunted ). But most notably in the House of Night series, he is a source of strength and of healing for Stevie Rae. He saves her from death on two occasions and heals her rapidly with his blood.
    Sylvia Redbird
    Sylvia (Latin) from the forest; Redbird (See Zoey Redbird)
    In mythology . . .
In Roman mythology, Rhea Silvia is the mother of Romulus and Remus, mythic twins who were nurtured by a she-wolf and founded the city of Rome.
    In the House of Night . . .
Zoey’s grandmother and a wise Cherokee Ghigua, Sylvia is Zoey’s link to her Cherokee heritage. As Zoey’s relationship with her mother is shaky at best, it is Sylvia who nurtures Zoey during her rebirth and trials at the House of Night. She taught Zoey about the herbs and plants that Zoey incorporates into many of the vampyre rituals in the series.

    THE FAMILIARS
    Beelzebub
    (Hebrew) lord of the flies
    In mythology . . .
Beelzebub is probably a corruption of Ba‘al Zəbûl , which refers to the ancient god Ba’al and means “Lord of the High Place.” In John Milton’s Paradise Lost , Beelzebub is Satan’s lieutenant.
    In the House of Night . . .
The Beelzebub of the House of Night is a cat—Shaunee and Erin’s, specifically. While he isn’t evil, he’s definitely got some attitude (like his owners!).
    Cameron
    (Scottish) crooked nose
    In history . . .
Cameron is the name of a Scottish clan (Clan Cameron).
    In the House of Night . . .
Cameron is Damien’s cat.
    In reality . . .
Cameron is the cat version of P.C.’s Wheaton Scottie dog, Cameron.
    Duchess
    Duchess title of nobility within a monarchy
    In history . . .
Traditionally, the title of Duke was the highest in the nobility after the monarchy. A duchess could be the wife of the Duke, or she could hold the title in her own right. The current Queen Elizabeth II is also known as the Duke of Normandy.
    In the House of Night . . .
The only canine familiar in the series, Duchess is initially James Stark’s dog, but her ownership is later shared with Jack Twist.
    Of note . . .
Duchess’ name is the Casts’ nod to John Wayne, who as a child had a big dog named Duke. (This is actually the origin of the actor’s nickname, “the Duke.”)
    Guinevere
    (Welsh) fair and white, smooth
    In mythology . . .
Queen Guinevere was the wife of King Arthur and the lover of Sir Lancelot. Her affair with the knight is said to have brought down Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Her name is most likely Welsh, the basic meaning being “Gwenhwy the Great.”
    In the House of Night . . .
Guinevere is Anastasia Lankford’s cat. Thankfully, in the series she does not bring about misery for Dragon Lankford (that blame belongs to Rephaim).
    Maleficent
    Maleficent taken from the character of the evil queen in Sleeping Beauty
    In the movie . . .
The prefix mal means wrong, ill, or improper, and there could be no better prefix for the “Mistress of All Evil.” Pissed that she wasn’t invited to Princess Aurora’s christening party with the other fairies, Maleficent curses the infant to prick her finger on a spindle and die on her sixteenth birthday. At Disney’s Villains Victory Party in October 2010, Maleficent was voted the baddest Disney villain of them all.
    In the House of Night . . .
Like her owner Aphrodite and her Disney namesake, Maleficent the cat is prone to bouts of bitchiness and violence. She is a white purebred Persian, and has love for no one save her owner.
    Nala
    (Swahili) gift; taken from the character Nala in The Lion King
    In the movie . . .
Nala is the smart, feisty lioness who finds Simba after he