The Mayfair and Taltos History
Blood CanticleThe family’s supernatural history emerges through Rowan’s account, linking its wealth, inheritance, and tragedies to the Taltos.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Genes Beneath the Family

Genes Beneath the Family
An inherited possibility
Rowan describes the Taltos as a distinct species whose genes entered human lineages through ancient interbreeding. Some descendants carry the possibility of unusual births.
The Mayfair connection
A long family history and the Legacy’s succession practices preserve those genes. The family’s wealth and identity are therefore entangled with a biological secret most relatives do not know.
Lasher’s Design

Lasher’s Design
A spirit seeking a body
Lasher’s origins reach back to Donnelaith and the Taltos. He influences the Mayfair line across generations, seeking a witch who can bear a Taltos child for his return.
A family shaped by secrecy
The family interprets Lasher as a human or astral spirit, not as a Taltos being. Wealth, power, and inherited occult knowledge help conceal the true purpose of his long presence.
A Secret Shared at Last

A Secret Shared at Last
The history is spoken
Rowan and Michael recount the births, deaths, and disappearances that explain the Taltos connection. The disclosure includes Lasher’s return, Emaleth’s death, and Morrigan’s birth and removal.
A new circle of trust
Lestat, Quinn, and Mona become custodians of knowledge held by only a small part of the family. The secret exchange creates a bond, but also makes clear that the Taltos’ fate cannot be separated from Mayfair history.
During Rowan’s account in the First Street garden
Across the generations before Rowan’s pregnancies
After Mona challenges Rowan about Morrigan