Alex or Xander to some, Alexander Delaney grew up in Peoria, Illinois. His father Sean was a Caterpillar executive and his mother Cara a bestselling novelist. His only sibling is younger sister Roisin, a prodigy who began her MD-PhD at Johns Hopkins at the age of 19. All in all, it was a charmed life.

Alexander was attending seminary school at Saint Mary of the Lake in the suburbs north of Chicago when his magical talents began to manifest. Michael Carpenter arrived to investigate, intervening before Alex did any serious harm. His first soulgaze happened at that time, a profound event which significantly altered the young man's outlook on life. Having recently dealt with Molly's apprenticeship to Harry, Michael called on Warden Dresden to address the situation. Hours later, Alex found himself having late night tea with Harry, Michael, Father Forthill and John Richter, his future mentor.

Distrust between the Church and the White Council nearly derailed this process before it began. At Dresden's urging and Michael's recommendation, Father Forthill served as liaison to the Church and, together with the Gatekeeper, brokered a vaguely-worded agreement which left Alexander's status only marginally improved. Alex was ordained to the Diaconate and simultaneously placed under strict supervision by the Council. Thus began a series of misadventures which continue to this day.

Alex is tall and fit, gifted with a powerful intellect and easy charm. Though he doesn't come off as such, he is something of a polymath much like his younger sister, but in her words 'an outdated, lazier version of me.' Still, he has been an exceedingly quick study. Recently, John Richter deemed the young man ready to stand the membership test for the White Council, much to the dismay of Church hierarchy and many of the White Council members at large.