The Dark-Hunters (848 page)

F
EATURED
N
OVEL
:
Dark Side of the Moon

Kontis, Susan
    (née Michaels) Susan is the bonded mate of the Were-Hunter/Dark-Hunter Ravyn Kontis. She won the Sterling Award in 2000 for Investigative Reporting. Her career was later ruined when she wrote a story exposing a senator’s questionable spending practices, and then found out her source was bogus. She is currently employed by the undercover Squire Leo Kirby at the
Daily Inquisitor
in Seattle.

Susan’s father abandoned her and her mother when Susan was three. Years later, her mother died in a car wreck. She learned to sword fight in the SCA, and was once a martial arts student of the Dark-Hunter Dragon.

Susan was almost made a Squire by her boss when trouble started brewing around Ravyn in 2006. This would have forbidden her inevitable relationship with Ravyn, only she missed being officially sworn in and got off on a technicality. Clever Leo.

H
AIR
/E
YES
: dark blond/blue

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: Seattle, Washington

F
EATURED
N
OVEL
:
Dark Side of the Moon

Kontis, Terra
    A Were-leopard, and Dorian’s bonded mate. This lovely, tall brunette works in the kitchen at the Serengeti Club.

H
AIR
/E
YES
: brown/blue

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: leopard

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: Seattle, Washington

Kontis, Zatira
    (deceased) Were-leopard and sister to Ravyn, Phoenix, and Dorian. Zatira died in 1673 alongside their mother, Phoenix’s wife and children, and the rest of their village when the humans attacked.

Kouris, Stefan
    The Katagari Were-leopard who represents his patria at the Omegrion as the Pardalia Regis.

Kouti, Sefia
    Pandora Pontis’s surviving sister. She is mated to a Katagari panther.

Kyriakos, Terecles
    Terecles was born to one of the now rare Tsakali (jackal) patrias who spurned Artemis. He is the archigos of his patria, and has vowed to see them survive no matter what. He and his patria move constantly and their location is unknown at this time. He could be in the past, present, or future.

He is ruthless and exacting. No one wants to cross him. It is said he can only be tamed for very short periods of time and only by the hand of a tempting woman.

B
ORN
: 892
B.C.

B
IRTHPLACE
: Carthage

H
EIGHT
: six foot five

Laminas/Limani
    The Atlantean term for “haven.” This refers to portals between worlds (bolt-holes). The word is also used to describe any Were-Hunter sanctuary or safe house.

Leonides, Patrice
    An Arcadian Were-lion, Patrice is Regis of the Litarian patria.

MacRae, Channon, Dr.
    A History professor at the University of Virginia specializing in pre-Norman Britain. Channon’s mother died of cancer when she was nine. She is mated to Sebastian Kattalakis.

H
AIR
/E
YES
: honey brown/blue

F
EATURED
S
TORY
: “Dragonswan”

Marvin the Monkey
    Small brown spider monkey with a fondness for carrots. Marvin is the only real, non-Were animal in Sanctuary, and is its mascot. Watch out: He likes to steal billiard balls off the tables during games. He likes fruit, and is very good friends with Wren Tigarian.

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Metriazo Collar
    This thin silver collar sends tiny ionic pulses into the body of a Were-Hunter, thus preventing its victim from using his magic powers. It will effectively stop a shapeshifter from changing shape, and can only be removed by magic.

Moretti, Vincenzo
    Since Were-jackals keep to themselves, not much is known about this Katagari Were-Hunter. He represents the Tsakalis patria at the Omegrion as Regis of his clan.

Nearas
    The term used to describe virgin Were females who are cresting.

Omega Wolf
    Slang term for the scapegoat of the pack whom everyone picks on.

Orian
    (deceased) Strati warrior who was the bonded mate of Anya Kattalakis, sister to Vane and Fang. By all rights Anya should have died when Orian died, only she was pregnant at the time.

Patria
    Name for the family grouping of Were-Hunters of the same race and animal genus. The existing Were patria are: Balios (jaguars), Niphetos Pardalia (snow leopards), Drakos (dragons), Panthiras (panthers), Gerakian (hawks, falcons, bald eagles), Pardalia (leopards), Helikias (cheetahs), Tigarian (tigers), Litarian (lions), Tsakalis (jackals), Lykos (wolves), and Ursulan (bears).

Peltier, Aimée
    The only daughter of the Peltier clan, Aimée works at Sanctuary as bookkeeper and waitress, as well as taking care of all the necessary permits and bribes. She fell in love with Fang Kattalakis while nursing him back to health after a Daimon attack. (A dangerous proposition for Fang.) Anyone else who looks at Aimée gets a meeting with her brothers and father in the back room.

B
ORN
: Brussels, Belgium

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Alain
    The eldest Peltier son, Alain manages the bar for his parents. He is also the bouncer no one wants to cross.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Aubert (aka Papa Bear)
    Patriarch of the Peltier clan. At seven feet tall, no one messes with Papa Bear. (He does give great hugs, though.) A lot of fun and easygoing, Papa Bear believes in giving everyone a chance—until they prove him wrong. He is fiercely protective of Mama and their children. Especially Aimée.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Bastian
    (deceased) A Peltier son, Bastian was killed by Arcadian Sentinels as a cub along with his brother Gilbert.

Peltier, Cherif
    One of the Peltier quadruplets, Cherif works as a bartender and waiter at Sanctuary. He also doubles as a bouncer when needs be, as most of the Peltier brothers do.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, “Cody” Francois
    The fraternal (older) twin of Kyle, Cody tends to let the mischievous Etienne lead him astray. He works as the band’s roadie. He keeps their equipment working, and runs the soundboard at night.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Devereaux
    Nickname: Dev. One of the Peltier quadruplets, and bouncer at Sanctuary. Dev keeps a close eye on all the females at the bar to make sure no one harasses them—unless they want to be harassed—with the exception of Aimée. No one touches her. Keep an eye out for his bow-and-arrow tattoo, which he has because he thinks it’s funny. He is not a Dark-Hunter.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Elizar
    Nickname: Zar. He’s the Peltiers’ next to the oldest, but by far the biggest on brains in the bunch. He loves wordplay, and is always quick with a comeback. A businessman and investment broker, Zar usually deals with Bill Laurens. He also has very little patience for Serre or Etienne.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Etienne
    One of the middle sons, Etienne is a bit of a black sheep who continually gets into trouble, gets his brothers into trouble, and drives his family insane. He does, however, respect his mother—he just doesn’t listen to her.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Gilbert
    (deceased) A Peltier son, Gilbert was killed by Arcadian Sentinels as a cub along with his brother Bastian.

Peltier, Griffe
    In the Peltier clan, Griffe is twin to Serre. Sanctuary’s resident mechanic and electrician (he likes to live dangerously), he works on the motorcycles and keeps the band and houselights up and running.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Kyle
    Youngest of the Peltier brothers and twin of Cody, Kyle works part time at the bar as a waiter while he finishes college. Unwitting patrons have commented on the fact that the wrestle bear shares his name. Yeah …

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Nicolette (aka Lo, Mama, Mama Bear)
    The matriarch of the Peltier clan, Nicolette and her husband Aubert founded Sanctuary as a safe zone after the death of their sons Bastian and Gilbert. Nicolette vowed that no mother would ever know grief as long as her child was under a Peltier roof. She is caring until someone or something threatens the sanctity of her home and those she loves. It is then that you remember she is, in fact, a bear at heart. Nicolette represents the Ursulan patria as Katagaria Regis in the Omegrion.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Quinn
    The youngest—and most reticent—of the quadruplets, Quinn is an exceptionally talented carpenter and repairman. He makes all the furniture and is responsible for all the ornate woodwork at Sanctuary. His other handmade items have been sold to tourists and donated to shelters. He may be quiet and shy, but he’s very good with his hands. Quinn also soundproofed the storeroom at Sanctuary, a feature that has come in handier than anyone could have imagined.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Remi
    Yet another sibling in the Peltier clan. Smooth-talking and quick to anger, Remi is not your average bear. He tends to fall in with the wrong crowds and loves to pick on Aimée (who often runs to Dev or Papa Bear for protection). He is forbidden to be a bouncer due to his temper. He can usually be found in the kitchen or back room.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Peltier, Serre
    Twin to Griffe, Serre is a loafer and comedian who fills in at Sanctuary in whatever position he happens to be needed.

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: bear

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: New Orleans, Louisiana

Petcu, Andrei
    A Lykos Were-Hunter, Andrei is the brother of Francesca.

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: Transylvania

Petcu, Francesca
    Nickname: Frankie. A Lykos Were-Hunter, and best friend of Esperetta Danesti for more than four hundred years. Francesca’s mother, Raluca, was Retta’s nurse. Velkan Danesti originally sent Frankie to watch over his wife—they met in a rain-soaked Germany when Retta was stranded on her way to Paris, and Francesca shared her room with her.

H
AIR
/E
YES
: chestnut/light blue

W
ERE
-F
ORM
: chestnut she-wolf

C
URRENT
L
OCATION
: Transylvania

Petcu, Illie
    (deceased) Illie was Raluca Petcu’s unbonded mate. He was captured by a Taser and killed by the Order of the Dragon.

Petcu, Raluca
    A Lykos Were-Hunter, Raluca is the mother of Andrei, Francesca, and Viktor. She worked as a servant in Vlad Te
e
’s castle, performing the role of his daughter Esperetta’s nurse. This tall, striking woman looks about forty. She shares her progeny’s chestnut hair and blue eyes.