“She’s perfect,” Adrian corrects, a hint of pride in his voice. “And very well-fed. That’s why she’s so… substantial.”
I snort at the word, unable to help myself. Substantial. Right. The snake looks like she ate a small dog for breakfast.
Elijah presses closer to the glass, his face glowing with fascination. “What’s her name again?”
“Golubka,” Adrian says, his tone softening as he crouches near the edge of the enclosure. “It means ‘little dove.’”
I raise an eyebrow, shooting him a sidelong glance. “Little dove? Seems ironic.”
Adrian chuckles, shrugging one broad shoulder. “She’s gentle… when she’s not eating.”
Golubka shifts slightly, her massive coils gleaming like polished gold under the lights. Elijah presses his face closer to the glass, his breath fogging the surface as he stares, transfixed.
“What’s your story, Leonid?” I murmur under my breath, not expecting an answer.
As if reading my mind, Adrian straightens, moving to the side of the enclosure. His boots make a softthunkagainst the concrete as he crouches by a cabinet tucked neatly against the wall.
“You know,” he begins, his voice low and conversational, “this girl wasn’t always so lucky.”
I glance at him, intrigued despite myself. “Lucky? She’s a fifteen-foot python in a luxury enclosure. That doesn’t exactly scream ‘hard luck.’”
Adrian chuckles, shaking his head as he opens the cabinet door with a faint creak.“Boss found her in some backwater dump a few years ago. Small-time gangsters were skinning snakes for leather goods. She was half-dead when he got her out.”
I blink, surprised. “So, what? He rescues snakes now?”
Adrian pulls out a wooden box, its hinges squeaking. Inside comes another sound—sharp and high-pitched. Squeaking.
Elijah whirls around, his curiosity piqued. “What’s he doing, Mommy? What’s in the box?”
“Feed day,” Adrian says simply, his tone almost cheerful as he grabs a pair of tongs. He glances at me, smirking. “And yeah, he saves the odd thing. Not people usually, though. This is… different.”
Different. The word hangs in the air, and my mouth opens slightly, but no words come out.
Adrian continues as if the silence invites him to fill it. “Golubka’s gentle now, but back then, she was a mess. He didn’t have to save her. Could’ve left her like the rest.” He shrugs, then lifts the lid of the box, revealing a squirming white rat.
Elijah’s eyes widen, his excitement bubbling over. “Can I help? Mommy, can I feed her? Please?”
I glance between Elijah’s pleading eyes and Adrian’s steady, amused gaze. “Uh, I don’t think—”
“Safe as can be,” Adrian cuts in smoothly, already lifting the rat with the tongs. “Golubka’s well-behaved. You’ll like this, kid. With your permission, of course.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fine,” I sigh, already regretting it. “But if you lose a finger, it’s not my fault.”
Adrian laughs, crouching to Elijah’s level. He hands over the tongs, guiding Elijah’s small hands with care. “Just hold it steady and close to the glass. She’ll do the rest.”
Elijah hesitates and then grins as he grips the tongs, his determination shining through. “I’m doing it, Mommy!”
“You’re definitely doing something,” I mutter, fighting back a laugh.
Golubka’s head moves with deliberate slowness, her black eyes locking onto the rat. Her tongue flicks once, twice, and then—
With a sudden, smooth strike, she grabs the rat, coiling her body with a speed that belies her size. Elijah gasps, his mouth falling open in awe.
“That was awesome!” he shouts, his voice echoing off the glass.
Adrian straightens, brushing his hands off on his pants. “She’s a queen,” he says simply, his pride unmistakable.
I raise a brow, watching the snake work. “So, let me get this straight—Leonid rescues snakes from being skinned but skins his enemies without blinking?”
