There's something terribly wrong with the Castleway Circus.

When mortals happen inside its big billowy tents, they don't always come out again, and the clown specters who haunt it won't leave me alone. My partner, Quiet, insists we go and investigate. I'd rather have my hands nailed to a moving train—better chance of surviving that as a vampire than whatever haunts the circus.

She believes the specters who persist in making our lives more difficult mean no harm. They just want our help, she says. I'm not convinced. I want to be of assistance when there's a case that needs solving, but I have my limits.

I won't give up Quiet.

Deep in my bones I know that's what's at stake. If we go there, if we surrender to those tents and the mysteries contained inside, I'll lose the only person I've ever loved. But Quiet is certain that if we avoid facing the consequences growing within, I might be forced to give her up anyway