The first book in the Averin Count investigations series.
A magical Petersburg, 1982.
Count Averin investigates the murder of a nobleman’s son, in which the Dives—cruel magical creatures from the Wastelands—are accused. They obey people, but slip out of control if you feel the blood or weakness of the master.
Averin understands that this isn’t the first killing, and that a very powerful Dive stands behind the crimes. At the same time, in Petrogradskaya side, an enormous demonic cat appears…