Count Hermes Arkadyevich Averin

In the world of the cycle, magicians are divided into two categories: sorcerers (who can summon divas) and wizards (who influence living things—they heal, influence the harvest, but do not summon divas).
Divas are shapeshifting creatures from a parallel world (the Wasteland). They are virtually immortal, resilient, quick learners, and have photographic memories. Divas who lose their masters are called demons.

Hermes Averin is a hereditary nobleman, a combat sorcerer, and a private detective. He is 41 years old. He is intelligent, dexterous, well-read, and good-natured, but not without a healthy dose of cynicism. He dislikes bureaucracy and the heavy responsibility he feels for society, so he chose a career as a private investigator.
Character:
disciplined;
immersed in work;
strict;
doesn't skip his morning run even with a severe hangover;
looks at his own mistakes with humor.
Due to forced circumstances, he becomes the head of the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Averin's personal diva. He can transform into a gray tabby cat with heterochromic eyes (blue and green), a red-haired seventeen-year-old boy (also with odd eyes), and a jackdaw for reconnaissance. He was originally summoned by Count Somov, but, being a pacifist, he ate his master, after which he became a stray. Averin took pity on him and made him his partner.
Kuzya is good-natured, polite, sociable, and a bit gluttonous; he is genuinely attached to his owner and is willing to do anything to save him.

Anonymous is a familiar of the Averyin family. He was taken in by the founder of the family as an imp, given a combat uniform, and the status of familiar. During the census of "devils" conducted by Peter the Great, he was listed as Anonymous. He served as a test subject and assistant to Arkady Averyin, and after his master's death, he continued and completed his work.

Vazilis Arkadyevich Averin is Hermes's older brother and the official head of the family. He possesses no magical powers, but is the owner and manager of one of Russia's most profitable auto factories. Although Hermes considers him weak-willed, Vazilis is kind and wise, often forgiving his brother's shortcomings and offering his help.

Vera Averina is the daughter of Vasilis and the niece of Hermes. She possesses magical powers and dreams of becoming a sorceress.

Viktor Smirnov is a district police officer of the St. Petersburg police, a long-time friend of Count Averin.

Anastasia is a very ancient, cunning, and dangerous diva. Noble and polite, she loves people and dreams of rebuilding diva society in their image. After the death of her masters, she became the guardian of their son Alyosha. At the suggestion of the authorities, she became the new Imperial Diva.

Vladimir is a highly experienced and powerful div. He remembers the 18th and 19th centuries well. During the Great Patriotic War, he served in intelligence, posing first as a German officer and then as a div loyal to the Nazis. Thanks to his work, the Russian Empire obtained information about Hitler's location and helped secure victory.

Sergei Monchinsky is a young and promising sorcerer. After an internship with the police, he transferred to the Directorate, where he became the master of the diva Vladimir.

Sophia is the Empress of the Russian Empire, a beautiful, intelligent, and decisive ruler possessing magical abilities. Her interest in studying divs and the Wasteland brings her close to Count Averyin.

Margarita is Hermes Averin's housekeeper. She is known for her culinary talents and love of scandal, intrigue, and investigation.