Chapter 1 - The Mark of the Serpent
Eight-year-old Leo grabbed a massive fistful of chocolate frosting.
He slammed it directly into the center of his stepmother’s pristine white silk dress.
The crowded anniversary party went dead silent.
Sarah gasped, her eyes wide with fury as the dark icing ruined her expensive designer gown.
The crystal glasses clinked as dozens of family members and friends turned to stare at the center of the dining room.
Sarah’s face twisted in absolute rage.
"You miserable little brat!" she screamed, raising her hand high to slap the boy violently across the face.
Before her palm could strike Leo's cheek, David’s large hand clamped like a vice around his wife’s wrist.
"Don't you ever raise your hand to my son," David warned, his voice low and shaking with restrained anger.
Most children would have run away crying in this situation.
But Leo didn’t flinch, and he didn’t step back in fear.
He stood his ground, staring directly into his stepmother’s panicked eyes.
Without a single word, the eight-year-old reached across the table and grabbed a heavy crystal pitcher of ice water.
Before anyone could stop him, Leo dumped the freezing water directly onto the smeared chocolate cake on Sarah’s stomach.
"Stop it, what is wrong with you?!" Sarah shrieked, frantically trying to brush the water and cake away.
But as the heavy chocolate washed down the front of her gown, the white silk became completely soaked and translucent.
Underneath the sheer, wet fabric of her dress, something dark began to show through clearly.
It wasn't a random stain, it was thick, black ink.
A massive, distinct pattern of a coiled snake was visible right beneath the top layer of her soaked dress.
Sarah looked down, suddenly realizing what was showing through the wet silk.
The anger vanished from her face, instantly replaced by sheer, undeniable terror.
She immediately crossed her arms, violently grabbing the wet fabric and bunching it up to hide her stomach from view.
Leo pointed a small, trembling finger directly at her hands.
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"That is the same snake monster that took mommy away," Leo whispered, his voice echoing through the silent room.
David stepped forward, his heart stopping as he recognized the terrifying Viper Syndicate tattoo of the cartel that had murdered his first wife.
