The Dark-Hunters (873 page)

Fill the demitasse cups each a little at a time, to ensure equal consistency. There should be mud in the bottom of each cup, and each should have a light foamy froth. Do not stir, or add cream.

Serve with lots and lots of pastries.

Drink slowly.

TZATZIKI SAUCE

3½ cups not-thick yogurt

1 tsp. salt

1 cup cucumber, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 tsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. fresh dill, mint, and parsley

1 tbsp. lemon juice

The guys at the gyro place never give you enough of this fabulous sauce—it’s like the Greek version of crack. Personally, I think it’s the garlic that makes us keep coming back for more.

To thicken the yogurt, place 3½ cups yogurt mixed with 1 tsp. salt in cheesecloth or a towel. Hang over a bowl until the dripping stops (about 2 hours). This should give you roughly 2 cups of very thick yogurt.

Sprinkle a little salt over the cucumber. Let stand for 15 minutes, then press dry. (Watery cucumber only gives you watery sauce.)

Combine all remaining ingredients and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

The Big Easy

A Brief Tour of New Orleans and Cajun Culture

How many times can a person get lost in a city where she’s lived her whole life?

—Sunshine Runningwolf

New Orleans (pronounced New-AW-lenz or New-OR-lenz). The Big Easy. Home of Mardi Gras, beignets, and Louis Armstrong. Haven of voodoo, Daimons, and vampire lore. Colorful and glamorous, slow and seductive, New Orleans has a history wrapped in blood, beauty, and mystery that will live forever.

Nouvelle-Orléans
was founded by the French in 1718 and named after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans and Regent of France. Many fought for control of this prosperous Mississippi River port over the next century. The Spanish took it from the French; the British took it from the Spanish. American forces later defeated the British in 1815, at the Battle of New Orleans. Due to the constant mercantile traffic—including slaves—by the 1840s, New Orleans was the wealthiest city in the nation.

Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans in August 2005, flooding 80 percent of the city. The residents had been evacuated or moved to shelters, but still more than 1,500 people died. Due to extensive damage, many did not return. The city’s current population is roughly half of what it was. Many efforts have been made since that time toward a revival of the city, a rebirth to a new glory.

Much like the Dark-Hunters themselves.

It is for this reason that Sherri began holding the annual K-Con (Kenyon/Kinley Convention) there. It brings much-needed business to the city and she always holds charity events to donate funds to the library. Many Dark-Hunter fans even come in early to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. And in Ash’s book, there is a scene with his Goth Chicness working with Habitat for Humanity.

Points of Interest

By the way, I want hazard pay for this.

I seriously hate the mall.

—Nick Gautier

New Orleans is central to the Dark-Hunter mythos and, like many settings, is herself one of the most important characters in the series. I’ve put together only a few highlights of New Orleans to show you here special points of interest as they relate to the Dark-Hunters. The best way to fully appreciate the scope of New Orleans is to visit her yourself.

Information can be found on the official New Orleans tourism Web site: www.neworleansonline.com.

ACME OYSTER HOUSE

724 Iberville Street

(504) 522-5973 or (877) 815-6412

www.acmeoyster.com

Located just off Bourbon Street, Acme Oyster House is the favorite restaurant of self-proclaimed vampire slayer Tabitha Devereaux. According to Tabitha, Acme has the best oysters in the world. Acme is famous among the locals for its casual dining and plastic tablecloths, the staple of all great seafood restaurants. You might also find Vane and Bride Kattalakis or Kyrian and Amanda Hunter here, as they like to frequent the oyster bar.

ANTOINE’S

713 St. Louis Street

(504) 581-4422

www.antoines.com

Closed Sundays

Reservations recommended

This exquisite French restaurant was established in 1840 by the young Frenchman Antoine Alciator, and has been operated by the same family for more than 160 years. (His son Jules, who became chef after his father’s death, was the inventor of the famed Oysters Rockefeller.) The menu is written in French—but not to worry, the lovely waitstaff will be happy to
aidez vous.

At Antoine’s you can dine in one of the many historic rooms. There are rooms named after the Antoine’s Mardi Gras krewes: Hermes, Proteus, Rex, and the Twelfth Night Revelers. There is the Japanese Room, whose unique Oriental splendor was closed to the public for more than forty years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Mystery Room celebrates the era of Prohibition, a time when the floors were covered with sawdust to soak up any illegal alcohol on the premises in the event of a raid. Antoine’s also features a massive and exquisitely well-stocked wine cellar.

Antoine’s is definitely a treat for any special occasion. Nick Gautier once brought his mother, Cherise, here for her birthday to celebrate … one of the last birthdays they were able to share together before her untimely death.

BRENNAN’S RESTAURANT

417 Royal Street

(504) 525-9711

www.brennansneworleans.com

Reservations recommended

Established in 1946, Brennan’s is famous for the legendary breakfast and infamous for the Bananas Foster. In the evenings you can experience a lovely French Quarter dinner in one of twelve beautiful dining rooms, or the romantic gaslit courtyard patio. This romantic atmosphere at Brennan’s was taken advantage of by Vane Kattalakis, who met Bride McTierney here for their first date. There is always a table reserved for them once a year, on their anniversary.

CABILDO

701 Chartres Street

(504) 568-6968 or (800) 568-6968

http://lsm.crt.state.la.us

The Cabildo is the flagship building of the Louisiana State Museum, and the site of the famous 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer. It was constructed at the end of the eighteenth century, and was the seat of the Spanish municipal government in New Orleans. The building takes its name from the “Illustrious Cabildo,” or city council, who met there.

CAFÉ DU MONDE

800 Decatur Street

(504) 587-0833 or (800) 772-2927

www.cafedumonde.com

Open twenty-four hours daily

A trip to New Orleans is not complete without a stop at the world-famous Café Du Monde, where Dark-Hunters everywhere are sure to stop in for a chicory coffee (sometimes au lait) and beignets. The original coffee stand was established in the French Market in 1862. Café Du Monde is located directly across from where Selena Laurens had her tarot card stand, before Ash bought her the building where Madame Selene currently runs her operations.

CAFÉ PONTALBA

546 St. Peter Street

(504) 522-1180

Located in the historic Pontalba building, Café Pontalba features traditional Cajun and Creole food. (Be sure to try the jambalaya fries!) Café Pontalba’s casual atmosphere is frequented by both tourists and locals alike. It is open daily for lunch and dinner, and features breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays.

COMMANDER’S PALACE

1403 Washington Avenue

(504) 899-8221

www.commanderspalace.com

Established in 1880, Commander’s Palace is known for its upscale, gourmet dining and historic antebellum rooms. The restaurant was redesigned in 1974, under the management of the Brennan family, to enhance the beauty of the building and embrace the outdoor atmosphere of the Garden District. Commander’s Palace is still overseen by the Brennans, who we hope by now have forgiven Tabitha for eating that centerpiece.

DREAM DOLLS AND ACCESSORIES

Royal Street

A trip to New Orleans is not complete for any Dark-Hunter if it does not include a visit to Liza’s little shop. Get those girly thoughts out of your head—the former Squire is certainly not all sugar and spice and everything nice. If she invites you into the back room, consider yourself fortunate (unless Ash happens to be there playing with his goddaughter). A treasure trove of wonders awaits you there … an armory the likes of which you have never seen before and, I daresay, never will again.

YE OLDE DUNGEON

738 Toulouse Street

(504) 523-5530

www.originaldungeon.com

Must be at least twenty-one to enter

One of the New Orleans nightspots frequented by Acheron and Simi, the Dungeon has its own history of vengeance and retribution. It is broken up into three main areas: the Main Chamber Bar, the Dance Floor and Sound Bar, and the Venus Bar. Indulge yourself in drinks such as Witch’s Brew or Dragon’s Blood, or participate in the tattoo contest. There is never any live music, only DJs, and it’s never Top 40s. House rules. (House rocks, technically.) This is a fave spot of Acheron’s whenever he’s in town.

French Quarter

Also called
Vieux Carré,
or “old square.” One of the favorite tourist scenes in New Orleans, the French Quarter is designated as the area bordered by Rampart Street, Canal Street, Esplanade Avenue, and the Mississippi River. Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral, and the French Market are all located in the French Quarter.

FROSTBYTE CAFÉ

1100 Royal Street

(504) 555-3223

www.geocities.com/frostbytecafe

Indulge your sweet tooth without leaving the Internet. Frostbyte Café is your one-stop shop for ice cream, baked goods, and e-mail. Located in the French Quarter, this cybercafé features an intimate courtyard, fun holiday specials (Halloween is a treat!), and occasional live entertainment by local talents.

HARD ROCK CAFE

418 N. Peters Street

(504) 529-5617

www.hardrock.com

There’s one in every corner of the globe, and there’s one in the French Quarter, too. Drop by for fun American food, rock ’n’ roll memorabilia, and your very own Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans T-shirt.

Jackson Square

Located in the French Quarter, Jackson Square was named after General (and later President) Andrew Jackson, victor over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists have been displaying their work along the wrought-iron gates encircling Jackson Square for more than fifty years. In the 1970s, the city of New Orleans decided to close the streets to vehicular traffic and make the area surrounding Jackson Square a pedestrian mall.

JACKSON BREWERY