The first book in the “Descendant” series, which takes place in the alternative Russian Empire of the late 19th century. The descendants of the ancient Slavic gods rule here, among whom anemic people increasingly appear: almost powerless and incapable of anything... Mitya Merkulov, the son of a talented (and extremely principled) investigator and Princess Moranovna, for whom, due to her anemia, no groom was found better. Mitya dreams of living for his own pleasure: ordering expensive frock coats, going to social events, being presented to the imperial court... But his father delved too deeply into the secrets of the reigning house, and, either as a reward or as a punishment, both Merkulovs had to leave the capital .However, Mitya is followed on the heels of the messenger of Morana the Dark herself, and in the remote province it turns out it’s not so boring...