Taio Wace is a church principle.  He is the son of Jonathan Wace (‘Papa J’) and Mazu, and the elder brother of Jiang. In a blog post Kevin Pirbright describes him as ‘the Church’s volatile enforcer’ (Prologue).

Robin first sees Taio Wace in the Rupert Court Temple where he is leading a service. Taio wears his hair in a dark straggly bob and has the same large blue eyes as his father. He might have had Jonathan’s square jaw had he not been carrying several stone of excess weight. He put Robin in mind of an overfed rat. At the end of the service Robin, as Rowena, is introduced to Taio, who asks Robin if she would be interested in coming to one of their retreats (Ch 19).

When Robin arrives at Chapman Farm she sees Taio again.  Robin is placed in Fire group which is led by Taio (Ch 24). 

Robin notes that in the absence of Jonathan Wace that Mazu, Taio and Becca are reigning supreme at Chapman Farm (Ch 41).

Robin feels increasingly uncomfortable about Taio, who seemed to always look at her more often than he looks at other members of the group. Once, after a lecture session in the basement of the farmhouse, he calls her back as she is about to leave and strokes her cheek. He stands so close to her that she can smell his body odour and Robin fights the impulse to knock his hand away (Ch 50).

Robin has further increasingly disturbing encounters with Taio later in the book.