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Hugo held up the wooden stake. “It’s the middle of the day. Let’s get the jump on them and go storm their castle.”

Alice was momentarily silent as she surveyed the house next door. “I thought of that. They have those four spies. What if there are more? We only saw what they wanted to show us last night. We don’t know how many are in there. We’d be walking right into a trap.”

Something in Alice’s front yard drew the attention of the four workers. They moved to the fence, standing shoulder to shoulder to peer over.

“I think she’s here,” Hugo said.

Max followed Alice to the front door. Her tail wagged with excitement at the prospect of either going on a walk or greeting a new visitor. Alice pulled back the black curtain to look out, her hand on the ornate diamond doorknob. She turned it and let in their visitor—Esmerelda Honeydew.

“That’s a little unsettling,” Ez said as she entered.

Alice quickly closed the door behind her.

Ez continued, “Have they been out there all morning?”

“Yes. Just watching us,” Alice replied.

Max whined and clacked her paws against the hardwood floors. Her tail thrashed about, smacking the walls as she greeted the new house guest.

Ez patted Max on the head with a series of small taps. “Good to see you too,” Ez greeted her four-legged friend.

Ez took off her overcoat and handed it to Alice. Her emerald green, knee length dress and yellow belt commanded attention and contrasted against the dark interior walls of the home.

Ez glanced up the stairs. “Where’s the other one?”

Alice pointed to the living room.

Ez peeked in from the hallway. “It’s not moving.”

“It doesn’t really react to anyone. Only when called. It’s very stoic,” Alice said.

“I’m sure it will in due time. How are you doing, kiddo?” Ez said.

Alice exhaled. “We got lucky last night. One tried to enter too. Now, we’re watching their workers.”

“Show me,” Ez said.

Alice led Ez down the hallway to the dining table. Max followed closely behind, trying to worm her way to the front of the pack, but was thwarted by the console tables blocking her ability to pass them.

“How was the trip down?” Hugo asked.

“Feels like it gets longer and longer,” she replied. “Maybe I should rethink the location.”

“We can always reconnect the rooms again. It’ll save on gas money,” Alice said.

“Let’s deal with your vampire problem first,” Ez responded. She stepped to where Alice was earlier and surveyed the scene outside the bay window.

“We’ve only seen the four so far,” Hugo said. “We didn’t see any last night.”

“You’re absolutely sure you tasted blood wine?” Ez asked.

“Definitely,” Alice replied as she stood behind Ez, peeking over her beehive hairdo to the four workers outside. “I’d recognize the taste anywhere.”

The workers continued their robotic like actions in the backyard. Scanning and searching the fence, they occasionally turned back to the bay window.

“You’re positive they can’t see us?” Hugo asked again.

Alice paused. “I’m positive . . . ninety-nine percent positive.”