Meet The Rau

Some characters walk onto the page fully formed. Others… slither.

When I first imagined the Rau, it wasn’t a conscious decision to create a “fantasy pet” or “magical sidekick.” It was more of a feeling; the ever watching presence of my own pets that don't leave my side. They're so intrinsic to my everyday life that the words simply fell from my fingertips onto the page. I could see The Rau curled somewhere in the shadows; patient, watchful, slightly unnerving. I could see it long before I knew what it was or why it existed in the story.

The Rau is unlike anything in our world and yet it will feel strangely familiar to anyone who’s ever been followed around by a cat with too much attitude or a dog that knows your secrets. It’s intelligent, but not in a “

speak in full sentences” kind of way. Its communication is subtle: a twitch of the tail, the blink of an eye, the quiet way it decides to sit just a little closer… or further away.

What is it exactly? That’s the question. The Rau doesn’t fit neatly into any category. It’s not a mythical creature you’ve seen before and it’s not entirely friend or foe. It has its own rules, its own loyalties and perhaps, most unsettling of all, its own sense of timing.

I will say this: if the Rau likes you, you’ll know. And if it doesn’t… you’ll know that too.

When you finally meet them in the book, pay close attention. The Rau is more than just an intriguing presence. It’s a quiet force that might be far more important than it first appears. Until then, imagine something small enough to rest across your shoulders, sharp enough to unsettle your enemies and mysterious enough to leave you wondering who’s really in control.

All my love, CJ x