“Those who have seen the totem, you can take a good look,” Laurence said huskily, showing everybody the totem on his back. Every successive family head would bear the totem, but Laurence’s was branded into the skin of his back.

Regardless, the totem was authentic.

It could not be faked.

The room fell silent as the senior family members inched closer for examination.

Those who had not seen the totem before would widen their eyes. It had been three decades since the family had been withou