Yulian Dimitriev – The Serpents' Enigmatic Leader

Overview

Yulian Dimitriev is a shadowy figure in Rina Kent’s Kiss The Villain—a dark MM enemies-to-lovers romance. He leads the Serpents, a faction at the island college where the story unfolds, and initially appears as the target of protagonist Gareth Carson’s vengeful scheme. However, Yulian is never seen directly in the narrative; his presence is felt through the actions of others: his substitution by the mysterious Kayden Lockwood, his past rivalry with Vaughn (a member of the Heathens), and his role as a source of jealousy between Gareth and Kayden. This analysis pieces together Yulian’s character from the fragmented evidence, distinguishing explicit facts from interpretive insights, and explores how his off-page portrayal sets the stage for his own story in the upcoming sequel Hunt the Villain.

Plot Role

Yulian’s primary plot function is as a catalyst. In chapter 4, Gareth drugs a man he believes is Yulian at a Serpents party, intending to humiliate him by cutting off his clothes, staging a fake cum shot, and leaking photos to ruin Yulian’s reputation. The plan fails when Gareth discovers the drugged man has a 3D snake tattoo—while the real Yulian wears only a small Russian scripture on his chest. The substitute is later revealed to be Kayden Lockwood, a professor with a hidden agenda. This substitution pivots the entire story: Gareth becomes entangled with Kayden rather than Yulian, shifting the focus from Serpents-Heathens rivalry to the intense enmity-turned-romance between Gareth and Kayden.

Later, Yulian reappears as a source of tension. Kayden, who is Yulian’s criminal-law professor, has been asked by Yulian’s father to look out for him. This connection makes Gareth jealous; he admits to Kayden that he disliked seeing Yulian throw his arm around Kayden’s shoulders (chapter 26). Kayden clarifies that Yulian is “just a student” and that his actions would have provoked a similar reaction regardless of who was involved. This jealousy underscores Gareth’s possessiveness and the asymmetry in his relationship with Kayden—while Kayden is legally prohibited from public displays, Yulian is free to be physically familiar.

Yulian also serves as a bridge to the Heathens. Gareth learns from his brother Killian that Yulian seduced and slept with Vaughn’s girlfriend, then sent Vaughn a video of the encounter. This act triggered Vaughn to request a transfer to the island college, a decision that plays into Yulian’s hands (chapter 6). The implied goal: Yulian wants Vaughn near him. This subplot remains unresolved in Kiss the Villain and is explicitly set up for Hunt the Villain, which features Vaughn and Yulian’s story (as stated in the epilogue and “What’s Next?” chapter).

Motivations and Traits (Inferred from Actions)

Because Yulian never speaks or acts on the page, his motivations must be inferred from what other characters observe and from the consequences of his reported actions.

Provocation and Control: Yulian’s decision to seduce Vaughn’s girlfriend and broadcast the encounter suggests a deliberate strategy of provocation. He could have chosen any partner, but he targeted someone close to Vaughn—a clear attempt to wound and enrage a rival. This aligns with the Serpents’ culture of dominance and the island’s underworld rules, where psychological warfare is common.
Strategic Positioning: Yulian knew that Vaughn would react by transferring to the college and, presumably, step into his orbit. This implies a long game: Yulian may want Vaughn physically close to continue their feud, or perhaps to pursue something deeper. Given the upcoming sequel, the latter seems likely, though it remains an interpretation until Hunt the Villain is published.
Loyalty to His Group: As leader of the Serpents, Yulian is described as carrying the entire faction “on his back” (chapter 4). He participates in the fight club regularly, dispatching opponents like Nikolai, Killian, and Jeremy—always ensuring a camera is present. Gareth reasons that Yulian sends the footage to Vaughn. This reinforces Yulian’s pride and his need to broadcast his strength.
Duality and Privacy: Unlike his flamboyant enemy Gareth, Yulian is both physically imposing and methodical. The fact that he arranges a substitute (Kayden) at the party shows that he anticipates attacks and uses decoys—a trait of a cautious leader. His real tattoo (Russian scripture) is small and personal, while the fake snake tattoo used by Kayden is loud and symbolic. Yulian keeps his true self hidden, much like Gareth does, but with a different focus: Yulian hides behind authority and violence rather than charm.

Character Arc (Chronological Sequence)

Yulian’s arc in Kiss the Villain is entirely off-page and progresses in three phases:

Targeted by Gareth – Before the novel begins, Yulian has been the object of Gareth’s resentment. Gareth drugs a decoy, fails, and is then assaulted by Kayden. Yulian himself is not harmed.
Object of Jealousy – During the middle of the book, Gareth sees Yulian being familiar with Kayden. This triggers a possessive conflict, forcing Kayden to clarify the nature of his relationship with Yulian and to assure Gareth that he will stop the physical contact.
Set-Up for Sequel – By the end of the story, Yulian remains an unresolved thread. The epilogue confirms that Hunt the Villain will follow “Vaughn and Yulian’s story.” Yulian has transformed from an antagonist in Gareth’s plot into a potential protagonist of his own romance.

Relationships

With Kayden Lockwood: Teacher-student dynamic. Kayden’s father helped Yulian’s father in the States, and Kayden was asked to “look out for” Yulian. Kayden describes Yulian as “just a student” and denies any romantic interest. The relationship is professional and protective, but Yulian’s familiarity triggers Gareth’s jealousy.
With Vaughn: Intense rivalry with a sexual undercurrent. Yulian slept with Vaughn’s girlfriend and sent proof, deliberately antagonizing Vaughn. Vaughn’s transfer to the college suggests that the conflict will escalate into something more personal.
With the Serpents: Yulian is the linchpin of the faction. Gareth believes that without Yulian, the Serpents would collapse. This implies Yulian holds absolute authority and is respected (or feared) by his members.
With Gareth: Indrect antagonist. Gareth planned to ruin Yulian out of a general need to release violence and to reduce the Serpents’ power. Yulian never confronts Gareth directly; their conflict is mediated through Kayden and the decoy incident.
With the Heathens (Killian, Nikolai, Jeremy): Known rivals in the fight club. Yulian often fights the Heathens’ members and ensures recordings are made, presumably to goad Vaughn.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Substituting Kayden at the Party: Whether Yulian ordered the substitution or Kayden acted independently is unclear. Regardless, the consequence is that Gareth escapes a direct humiliation attempt but becomes entangled with Kayden, leading to the central romance. If Yulian planned the swap, he intentionally kept himself safe while exposing Gareth to a more dangerous opponent.
Seduction of Vaughn’s Girlfriend: Yulian’s choice to humiliate Vaughn in this intimate way results in Vaughn’s transfer—exactly what Yulian seems to have wanted. This decision sets the stage for the sequel and deepens the obsession theme.
Physical Familiarity with Kayden: Yulian’s arm-around-the-shoulder gesture, though possibly casual or cultural, angers Gareth enough to force a confrontation. Kayden agrees to stop the behavior, but Yulian never learns of this concession. This decision highlights Yulian’s callous disregard for others’ boundaries—or his ignorance of the true nature of Kayden and Gareth’s relationship.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Obsession and Possessiveness: Yulian’s obsession with Vaughn—using revenge and jealousy as tools—mirrors Gareth’s possessive need for Kayden. Yulian and Vaughn are cut from the same cloth, making their future story a meeting of two equally obsessed personalities. Learn more about obsession in the novel.
Power Dynamics and Submission: Yulian wields power over his faction and over Vaughn through sexual conquest. He operates from a position of dominance, but his need to provoke Vaughn reveals vulnerability. Gareth interprets Yulian’s repeated fights and recordings as a bid for Vaughn’s attention—a subtle submissive undercurrent. Explore power dynamics here.
Secrets and Dual Identity: Yulian’s real tattoo (a small religious text) hides beneath his public image as a brutal leader. The snake tattoo worn by his decoy is a false symbol of menace. Yulian’s true strength lies in secrecy and the ability to let others fight his battles, a stark contrast to Gareth’s visible masks. Read about secrets and dual identities.
Family Trauma and Legacy: Yulian’s father has connections with Kayden’s father, implying a legacy of criminal mafia ties. Yulian was raised to inherit the Serpents, and his actions—public fights, calculated humiliations—may be attempts to prove himself worthy of that legacy. Delve into family trauma themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Yulian seduce Vaughn’s girlfriend?
The text does not state Yulian’s internal motive, but Gareth infers that Yulian did it to provoke Vaughn and force him to transfer to the island. Yulian wanted Vaughn near him, likely to continue their rivalry or pursue a deeper connection. This is implied by Yulian’s history of sending Vaughn fight footage.
What is Yulian’s relationship to Kayden?
Kayden is Yulian’s criminal-law professor. Kayden’s father helped Yulian’s father in the past, leading Kayden to agree to “look out for” Yulian. There is no romantic involvement; Kayden denies any crush (chapter 26). Yulian’s physical familiarity with Kayden is one-sided and later stopped at Gareth’s request.
Why did Gareth want to humiliate Yulian?
Gareth resents Yulian primarily due to their rival faction positions (Heathens vs. Serpents). Gareth also enjoys releasing his violent urges on scapegoats, and Yulian—as the Serpents’ leader—is a high-value target. Gareth hopes that ruining Yulian will destroy the Serpents (chapter 4).
How does Yulian’s role set up Hunt the Villain?
The epilogue and “What’s Next?” chapter explicitly state that the next book in the Villain series will feature Vaughn and Yulian’s story. Yulian’s seduction of Vaughn’s girlfriend and Vaughn’s transfer create the unresolved conflict that will drive the sequel.
Why did Yulian use a decoy at the Serpents’ party?
It is not confirmed that Yulian arranged the decoy himself. The substitute was Kayden, who had his own agenda. However, Yulian’s habit of anticipating enemies (as seen in his use of guards and careful party planning) suggests that the swap may have been deliberate to protect himself. Alternatively, Kayden may have acted alone to intercept Gareth.

For further discussion of Yulian’s role and the story’s resolution, see the ending explained and questions and answers pages.