The vampire frowned. Alright, it was time to investigate. He hoped nothing had been hiding up there. He'd heard from someone that sometimes snakes hid in attics since heat rose and made them warmer than the undersides of houses. He wasn't sure how much truth that carried but Heather wasn't talking to him.

He set his jaw and took one careful step up the ladder. Maurice cringed when the step whined loudly under his boot.

"Heather?" Another step. Another loud creak. "Don't you get snakebit up there!"