Kostya

Kostya is a young vampire, a student at the physics faculty of Moscow University, who lives with his registered vampire family in the apartment directly above Anton Gorodetsky. He is a central figure in the moral and emotional conflicts that Anton faces, embodying the possibility of coexistence between Light and Darkness while also representing the tragic consequences of the war between them.

Identity and Background

Kostya is the son of Gennady and Polina, a family of registered vampires who have lived in the same building as Anton for years. He was born a vampire, a fate that gives him almost no chance of growing up human. When Anton first discovered the Twilight and saw his neighbors' true natures, he was horrified to find that the friendly family he had borrowed a drill from were actually vampires. Gennady, Kostya's father, a contractor, had once helped Anton with concrete walls, demonstrating a practical, proletarian camaraderie. The family carries permanent registration tags—blue seals on their chests visible in the Twilight—that mark them as law-abiding vampires with no known violations. Kostya's parents are aware of Anton's status as an Other and have accepted the situation, even returning Anton's invitation to enter their home as a gesture of trust.

Relationship with Anton

Kostya and Anton develop a friendship that is both personal and professional. Kostya frequently visits Anton's apartment, borrowing CDs and talking about his abilities. He is proud of his vampire powers, boasting about his transformations and the growth of his fangs. Anton, in turn, tries to guide him, scolding him when he goes too far and offering him donor blood as a substitute for hunting. Their relationship is strained by the events of the hunt, when Anton kills a rogue male vampire who was initiating a girl-vampire. Kostya, who knew the dead vampire, confronts Anton, accusing him of murder and questioning the morality of the Night Watch's actions. He argues that the vampire should have been tried according to the law, not summarily executed. Anton defends his actions, explaining that the vampire was breaking the law and that he had no choice but to kill him to save himself. The argument reveals the deep ideological divide between them, but Anton insists that he is not Kostya's enemy until Kostya crosses the line into criminal behavior.

Key Actions and Objectives

Kostya's primary objective is to navigate his existence as a vampire within the constraints of the Treaty. He is a law-abiding vampire who uses donor blood when possible, but he is also drawn to the freedom and power of his nature. His actions are driven by a desire for acceptance and understanding, both from Anton and from the wider world. He is protective of his fellow vampires, as shown when he intervenes to save the girl-vampire from execution, transforming into a bat and shielding her from Anton's gun. He demands that she be given a trial, asserting her right to justice under the Treaty. This act demonstrates his commitment to the rule of law, even as he challenges the Night Watch's authority.

Relationships and Conflict

Kostya's relationship with Anton is the most significant in his story. It is a friendship that is constantly tested by the moral and legal tensions between their respective sides. Kostya is also connected to the wider vampire community, and he senses the death of the rogue vampire immediately, a sign of the bond that unites them. His relationship with his parents is stable, but his father's stern authority is evident when Kostya hesitates to show his registration tag. The conflict between Kostya and Anton comes to a head when Kostya confronts Anton about the killing, accusing him of being a hypocrite who has been human for too long. Anton, in turn, accuses Kostya of being naive about the realities of the war. Despite their differences, Anton continues to offer Kostya donor blood, and Kostya accepts it, though with resentment.

Change and Ending

Kostya's role in the story culminates in his intervention to save the girl-vampire. He transforms into a bat and shields her from Anton's gun, demanding a trial. This act forces Anton to confront his own morality and the limits of his authority. Kostya's defiance is a turning point, showing that he is no longer a passive participant in the conflict but an active agent who will fight for what he believes is right. The boss confirms that the girl-vampire is entitled to a trial, and Kostya carries her away, escorted by Semyon and Tiger Cub. Kostya's final act is one of defiance and hope, asserting the possibility of justice even for the damned.

Narrative Role and Evaluation

Kostya serves as a foil to Anton, embodying the moral complexity of the vampire condition. He is a character who is both sympathetic and dangerous, a friend who could become an enemy. His presence forces Anton to question his own assumptions about Good and Evil, and his actions highlight the tragic consequences of the war between Light and Darkness. Kostya is a reminder that the line between the two sides is not always clear, and that even the most monstrous beings can be capable of love, loyalty, and a sense of justice.