Raziel's POV

I am going to murder Zorander!

Melkopnius releases a low hiss as I use a knife to scrape away their old skin. I gag at the pungent sulphuric smell being emitted from their skin. With each scale that is dislodged, the odor increases tenfold.

Thank you for helping with thisss, Melkopnius hisses in my mind.

I splutter and readjust the goggles on my face. "I was tricked into helping." I tug the knife over their skin which feels like I'm dragging a knife over a huge rock. "Can you even help with the book or did he lie about that?"

I told you I can after my ssshedding. In the visssion, I had enough power to consssume the book after thisss.

In general, Serignipens are low maintenance. They like being around plants, they consume any type of meat and a swim in some fresh water is enough to keep themselves clean. So, if you give them a place with sufficient water and meat, some plants and a dark space where they can hibernate once in a while, they are happy.

Serignipens, however, can choose to go through a shedding. It is a once in a lifetime event, and once they shed their old skin, they can reach their full power and potential. Their visions become more vivid and more accurate, their other abilities become heightened, and they gain the ability to camouflage themselves.

Despite the increased power, most Serignipens opt not to go through the shedding because they need help getting the millennia of scales and skin from their body. The ones who have tried to do it alone have died trying.

"I hate that demon." I gag again and fling the dislodged scales into the bathtub.

He isss not all bad.

"You only think that because he's your master. He tricked me into doing this."

But it isss for your benefit.

I scoff and readjust my thick industrial gloves before continuing to scrape. Melkopnius is right. I'm the one that needs help with destroying the book, but still, Melkopnius is his responsibility.

And he left you the glovesss, masssk and gogglesss.

For heaven's sake, just let me be mad at the demon!

I dig at a scale which seems wedged into Melkopnius' skin and they release a sharp hiss. "Sorry!"

Despite my irritation, I don't want to hurt them, so I switch to a plier which Zorander also provided and wiggle it until it comes free. "Do you miss Hell?"

No. I would be happy never returning. Here, I have a comfortable life and a massster who treatsss me well. I would return if Zorander did, but luckily he prefersss earth.

I hum a response and continue working to remove the scales, being sure not to hurt the snake. Talking to Melkopnius helps distract me from the disgusting and almost tangible smell, so we continue talking about their life. It turns out, they're even older than I am!

By the time I'm finished, Melkopnius' skin looks like that of a newborn baby rat; a reddish pink and very tender. I gently wipe their skin with a soft towel before transferring them to Zorander's hot tub where they can remain underwater for a few hours while their new scales emerge.

The next couple hours are spent with me gathering all the loose scales and dried goop that came off of Melkopnius from the bathtub and floor. Once everything is in the garbage bag, I toss the apron, gloves, mask and goggles into it as well before tying the bag and putting it in the middle of Zorander's bed.

He can figure out what to do with the waste when he returns from his "trip". The demon called me earlier from the hotel he checked into for the night, sipping a cocktail and wearing a fluffy, light brown robe. That was when he informed me of Melkopnius' shedding and laughed in my face when he saw the look of horror I gave him.

After a quick shower, I flop onto the bed in Zorander's guest room, completely drained. I roll over onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. Earlier, while I was helping Melkopnius, they had a vision of Gabriel standing in Kai's living room. They said that they thought it would happen soon, but they couldn't be sure, and they had no idea why he was there.

I sigh. If he was coming to earth, there was a really good chance that he would figure out what's going on with Lance, so should I tell him everything in advance and hope that he'll help?

A ringing noise sounds and I frown. The little phone in my pocket lights up with a photo of Kai and I smiling.

Raz, are you sleeping? Why aren't you answering? Kai's voice says in my head, immediately causing my smile to widen. Swipe the green button upwards.

I follow my mate's instructions and swipe the screen. His beautiful smile and fluffy, pink hair instantly fill me with warmth as my exhaustion seems to disappear.

He giggles and blows me a kiss. "I know it's late but I missed your face."

"I missed you, and my horrible evening made me miss you even more!"

"What happened? You said Mel was low maintenance and all you needed to do was to keep them company."

I pout and roll onto my side. "Zorander tricked me. He knew Melkopnius was going through the shedding and left me here to do it all alone!" I explain to him what that means and by the time I'm finished complaining, I feel much better.

Kai pouts and narrows his eyes. "Mean Zorander! I'll scold him next time I see him!"

My mate being willing to scold a demon for me brings a smile to my face. "You're the best mate ever."

Kai giggles and blows me another kiss before raising his eyebrows. "What else is on your mind? You feel... restless."

"Do you think I should ask Gabriel for help?" I blurt out. I tell him what Melkopnius said and explain why I haven't asked Gabriel before.

"You've told me how kind and loving he is, and even though he's a stickler for rules, he's still your friend. Maybe you're undervaluing your friendship and how much you mean to him." He looks thoughtful for a moment before he smiles. "How about we both ask him for help. You'll ask as his friend, and I'll ask as a soul in need of help. You said he has a soft spot for souls. Maybe together we can convince him?"

I suck in a deep breath, enjoying the hint of lemon in the air from all the cleaning products I used. "Okay. Let's give it a shot. What are you going to say?"

"It's a secret! I'll speak from the heart and you should do the same." He suppresses a yawn, and that's when I notice that the little digital clock in the corner of the phone is saying that it's three in the morning.

"Kai, go to sleep! You can't skip school tomorrow!"

He rolls his eyes and we hang up the phone shortly after. I roll back onto my back as I think about what I could possibly say to Gabriel to get him to help before contacting him.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I feel is something cold and wet on the side of my face. My eyes flutter open and a healthy looking Melkopnius greets me. Their orange, black and white stripes are more vibrant than before, and there are now thin gold stripes separating each colour. Their green eyes are slightly bigger and are filled with happiness and wisdom.

I am ready for the book, they say in my head and I stroke their left head then the right one and they nuzzle into my hand.

We make our way to Zorander's living room and Mel settles on the coffee table next to the book while I yawn and plop down onto the couch.

"You're going to consume it?"

Yesss. When we do, could you put usss in the pod where the sssauna isss?

I nod and watch as the orange and black head strikes the book, splitting it in two. Both heads then open their mouths and start swallowing the book. The book seems to be fighting back because for every two inches of the book they consume, an inch gets pushed back out of their mouths.

My hand tentatively reaches out and touches the snake's body and I focus my healing energy, hoping to help the process. It seems to help a little, but the process is still long, and judging by the sharp, mournful hissing noises Melkopnius is emitting, incredibly painful.

They finally succeed in swallowing the book, and I hear a faint hiss in my mind, heat pleassse.

I quickly scoop them up and place them in the pod, following their instructions on how to turn up the heat. Once they're inside, I clean the hot tub before returning to sit next to their pod. It's going to be a long day.

Thank you for reading! ❤

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