City Dwellers

Irina Shayk

Irina Shayk is not yet thirty, but life has already kicked her around the block more than once.

She used to hold a regular job when her nephew, Garik, first came to live with her. She worked at Fasst Market as a cashier for a time, then at Kerre's Dive waitressing. The distance without a car proved difficult, and when Arik, her boyfriend, moved into her apartment, it was easier to go on government assistance than fight his annoying complaints about why she wasn't cooking for him or had to spend money on bus fare.

Irina is kind and loves Garik. She would do anything for him, but she isn't a strong woman. When life pushes at Irina, she doesn't know how to push back. The same is true of her relationship with her boyfriend. When he is abusive, she doesn't know what else to do except try to make him happy. Irina tries to stand up for Garik with Arik, but she finds it impossible.

Irina rarely gets out of the apartment, except when the monthly food box runs low and she can't find anyone to run to Fasst Market for her. Irina is important to Garik, and he loves her, but he is aware she is a disaster waiting to happen. Her accepts her for what she is, and he doesn't try to change her into something she is not.

Irina's full name is Irina Ekaterina Shaykhlislamova, but she always uses the shortened, Americanized version of her last name, as does her nephew, Garik.

We first meet Irina in Book 1 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Shattered by Glass.

Arik Oblonsky

Arik Oblonsky is Irina Shayk's deadbeat boyfriend.

Arik is several years younger than Irina, but his ego and brazen domination over Garik make him a man to be feared, even though they are only a few years apart in age.

Arik has difficulty holding down a job, either because the jobs he is qualified for tend to evaporate easily or because Arik doesn't handle authority well, or a combination of both.

Despite his arrogance and egocentric behavior, Arik is a good-looking man with strong features, a good build not yet gone to softness, and thick, lush hair. His jaw is often covered with stubble, and he smokes incessantly. Cleaned up, Arik would present himself well, but he rarely takes the time to do more than shower and occasionally shave.

Arik is gone from the apartment most days, but where he goes is a mystery to both Irina and Garik. For his part, Garik doesn't care. He is simply glad not to have to see Arik's face.

We first meet Arik in Book 1 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Shattered by Glass.

Maria Putin

Maria Putin has black, bobbed hair and touts big earrings that sparkle in the sunlight.

Of course, they sparkle anywhere, but Maria knows the effect they give off in the sun, and she angles her head to show them at their best.

Maria's mother and grandmother are also named Maria, and her nickname around her family is Trini, from “God loves the Trinity,” a lighthearted Russian phrase that basically means that good things come in threes.

Maria has four brothers, three of which are grown and off on their own. The fourth is younger than Maria, Dmitriy, although he uses the shortened Mitri at his school.

Maria is in with Garik Shayk's crowd because she loves to board. Her skateboard is battered (after three brothers!) but with new trucks and wheels, she can outskate anyone out there.

We first learn of Maria in Book 1 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Shattered by Glass, although we never actually meet her.

Wajeha Nayef

Wajeha Nayef is in Daniel Kim's class at Bay City High. She has thick, black hair, dark eyes, and is mature for her age.

Wajeha also runs with Garik Shayk's crowd, but not as a direct friend of Garik's. Of course Garik knows her and can tease with her, but he spends time with Wajeha only as a peripheral friend of his real friends, Robbie Icardi, Muhammad Saud, Hayat al-Haber, and Ibn Hariri.

Wajeha has also had classes with Marisa Bruni, and she and Robbie are a sometimes romantic item, but Robbie and Wajeha are too young for a serious relationship. Robbie is fifteen and Wajeha about the same. No big deal, it's all fun and games to them.

Wajeha remains in the background in this series. We meet her in the second chapter of the first book in The Human-Hybrid Project, Shattered by Glass, and she is only referenced in Garik's memory after that.

Vladimir Varlamov

Vladimir Varlamov is a beefy weightlifter with coarse hair and a bright if goofy smile who attends Bay City High and runs with Garik Shayk's group of friends.

Despite his smile, no one doubts Vlad's good heart, and he is quick to gather people into his circle.

Tightest in Vlad's circle is Giorgio Versace, his good friend since before junior high. They are nothing alike in appearance, but they can finish each other's sentences, and when one tells a joke, the other is already laughing because the punch line is in his head.

If you see Vlad around school or at the Corona Mall, expect to see Giorgio nearby. The two are inseparable.

We are introduced to Vlad in Book 1 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Shattered by Glass, but we don't actually make contact with him until Book 5, Taking the Tower, when Garik sees his friend in a video taken at a party in one of the upscale Stamford Suites apartments. However, Vlad is a good friend of Garik's, and Garik thinks of him from time to time and misses his company.