The Apparat is a priest who serves the King and the Darkling. Alina initially hates and fears him: he smells like a musty graveyard and seems like an unhinged fanatic who’s far too interested in Alina. At several points, the Apparat seems to try to warn Alina against cooperating with the Darkling, though due to how strange the Apparat’s behavior is, Alina never confirms whether she’s reading these warnings correctly. In the end, the Darkling elevates the Apparat to rule in the King’s stead; he once told Alina that the Apparat “has his uses,” and this, Alina believes, is what he meant.