"Ready?" Emmett said.

Julian nodded uneasily and held out one hand. Emmett took his hand and the small green snake wrapped around Emmett's forearm flicked its tongue at the place where their hands joined. Julian tried to pull back, but Emmett tightened his grip.

"You promised to try," he said mildly.

Julian let out his held breath and looked down at their hands again. The small snake slithered closer, crossing halfway to Julian. It bound them for a long moment, then eased forward, curling itself around Julian's wrist, resting its tiny, blunt head on his forearm. Julian clutched Emmett's hand a little tighter.

"It's a grass snake, Julian," Emmett said soothingly. "I caught it outside five minutes ago. It can't hurt you." Emmett brought his free hand up to stroke the snake lightly. It didn't even move. "See, it's perfectly safe."

Julian brought his other hand up and let the pad of his index finger rasp against the scales along one curve of bright green skin. He relaxed, and Emmett let go of his hand, gently unwinding the snake from Julian's arm. Its tail flicked, running across the inside of Julian's wrist as it was lifted away.

"What...what are you going to do with him?" Julian asked.

Emmett walked over to one of the aquariums. "I'm going to feed it to this snake."

Julian named him Edgar and made sure to place the small aquarium far from Daisy's. Just in case.