Page 9 of Chillingham Castle

“No. Also, it’s where the most people are, because they’re walking the visitor route,” I pointed out.

“And it can draw energy from them,” Dive added.

“So, we’ve eight target locations.”

“Nine, I think we need to look at the King James Drawing Room. Ghoul reacted to something there,” Lich pointed out.

“Okay, we’ll add that. Night one, we’ll take the Pink Room and the Pantry Ghost. Second night, we’ll explore the corridors and chapel. Then the original dungeon, which Evie gave permission to investigate, and the King Edward Room. We’ll pair the King James drawing room with the Still Room. Finally, the garden and courtyard. That leaves us two days for whatever we need to revisit,” I said.

“The torture chamber should also get a visit. I know it’s not the original, but those items might have some dark shit attached.”

“Haunt, do you usually change about halfway through the evening?” Jack asked, and I nodded, realising this was his first investigation with us.

“Normally we start about six p.m., go through the plan and eat ‘breakfast’. Then head out at seven to half seven, and focus on our targets until shortly after midnight. We break, eat, swap areas, and stay on scene until around half six a.m., and then we recap and hit the sack,” I explained.

“Pretty much how we did back in the GSI.” Jack nodded.

“So, I’m guessing we’re going to want cameras up in those areas. Which ones are we making motion sensors? Because having eleven continuously filming cameras will be difficult when it comes to reviewing the footage.” Lich tapped his pen on his notepad.

“I’d put a timer-operated camera in the Pink Room. The Blue Boy is only meant to appear around midnight. That’s pretty much confirmed. I’d set it between ten p.m. and two a.m.,” I suggested, and Lich nodded.

One by one, we worked our way down the list until we were satisfied.

“Lunch,” Janice said, bringing a tray over. I chuckled as the door opened and the remaining group members walked in. Janice kindly let us put some tables together, and I updated the rest of the team. We ate as we spoke, and I texted Evie to see if I could start setting up. She sent back permission.

Reaver had brought the van, so we headed out to get equipment, and as Gizmo set up his control centre, we began installing the cameras.

Lich

“You’ve got activity,” Gizmo said over the radio as I prepared everything in the Great Hall.

“Very funny. Is the angle okay?” I replied.

“Seriously, bro, something is happening. Slowly turn around and check out the curtains.”

Casually, I turned and glanced at the window. Gizmo wasn’t wrong. The red velvet curtain wasn’t fluttering; it was actually moving.

“You catching this?” I murmured, keeping watch over it. I paused as I heard a quiet sob.

Head on a swivel, I peered cautiously in the vicinity. I saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye and jumped to one side just as a large axe fell from the wall. The damn thing nearly decapitated me.

“Fuck!” I roared as it slammed down onto the stone floor.

I gaped at it as Gizmo yelled for help. Completely shocked, I stared at the shaking weapon with worry. That was launched with the intent to harm. That was beyond a malicious haunting. What the ever-loving hell?!

Coffee and Reaver reached me first, their eyes wide as they took in the scene. I still lay on my back, staring at the axe.

“Did it fall?” Reaver asked, even as I shook my head no.

I finally spoke. “Get Lucky to break out protection charms.”

A cackle ran through the Great Hall as Haunt and Trunk entered. They stared in disbelief, and Haunt began cursing fluently.

“We need to review that footage because I think I triggered a trap,” I said. Reaver hauled me to my feet, and I eyed the axe.

“Put it over there,” Haunt suggested.

“Not likely. It needs putting away. Text Evie. That’s too dangerous to leave here lying around. This entity has proved it can interact with physical things,” I remarked, shaking my head.