Phantom Kiss (Chicagoland Vampires 12.5)

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The members of the Chicago Paranormal Action Network came to Cadogan House with backpacks, tripods, and other equipment on neck and shoulder straps. Roz, Matt, and Robin wore yellow CPAN T-shirts and looked more than a little excited to be walking into a House of vampires.

“Welcome to Cadogan House,” Luc said as they stepped into the foyer. “You’ve got a lot of equipment.”

“Paranormal investigation has advanced a lot in the last few years,” Roz said. “Particularly since vampires admitted their existence. That’s allowed the research to move along more quickly.”

That vampires had “admitted” their existence was probably up for debate. The former Master of Navarre House had basically dragged all of us out of the closet.

“All right,” Robin said, pulling a black padfolio from his gray backpack, also CPAN monogrammed, and flipped a page on the notepad. “You’ve requested our Advanced Assessment package. We’ll be evaluating the scope of your disturbance and recommending a course of action for handling and removal.”

Ethan listened to the recitation without comment.

“And should we discuss payment?” Robin asked, lifting his gaze.

Ethan didn’t look impressed by the question. “We’ve agreed to your estimate. You’ll receive payment when the service is performed.”

“We take this seriously,” Roz said. “We do the work; we earn the money. We don’t like getting jacked around.”

Ethan’s spike of anger put magic in the air. “As you’ve been warned, one of our vampires was injured last night. We also don’t like getting ‘jacked around,’ and we prefer guests to act with some measure of decorum. Do we understand each other?”

Roz nodded stiffly.

“We’re just a little on edge after last night,” Robin said, putting the padfolio into his backpack. “Getting close to something and missing it. We’re not trying to be disrespectful, and we understand each other.”

Ethan’s expression didn’t change.

“This way,” Luc said.

I was last in line and watched them carefully as we walked downstairs, as if their behavior would prove whether or not they were legitimate. Roz looked around, taking in the décor. Matt watched his equipment, and Robin rambled nervously about the weather.

When we reached the door to Tunnel Three, Luc unlocked it, pushed it open.

The air that emerged was moist and cool, but I didn’t sense magic. That was a good start, at least for us. CPAN might disagree.

“Oh, wow,” Robin said, practically skipping into the chamber. “Absolutely spectacular.”

Roz followed, her gaze on the ceiling, on the walls, her dark fingers trailing across the brick as if to test its texture. Matt kept his eyes trained on his sensors.

“I think ‘spectacular’ is pretty close,” Mallory said, eyes wide. “This is pretty damn amazing.”

Robin looked back at us, pointed into the depths of the tunnel. “How far does it go?”

“Quarter mile,” Luc said without further comment.

Robin nodded gravely. He picked a spot a few yards from the door, near the tunnel’s narrowing on the opposite side of the room, put down his bag, and began pulling out equipment.

“Is that a Model 442 you’ve got there?” Luc asked, sidling up to Matt.

“426,” Matt said, giving him a cautious glance. “You know the systems?”

“I dabble,” Luc said. “I don’t own any equipment, but as head of security, I like to keep my options open.”

So he’s a wannabe Ghostbuster, I told Ethan as we watched from the threshold.

It began after he saw the original movie, Ethan said. He was convinced it was based on real-life events in New York.

The captain of your guards is a weirdo.