Enticed by the Satyr (Kindred Tales)

But when the head of the humans’ World Council had called, demanding that the Satyr Kindred be exiled, (well, actually, Perce had wanted Storn to be executed for his “crime” but Sylvan had talked him down to exile) or the Bride Draft would be suspended, the Kindred Council had felt that they had no choice but to comply.

Today, however, after learning that the Satyr Kindred had bonded with his human female, Sylvan had spoken again on behalf of Storn. He had asked the Kindred Council permission to meet with the World Council on Earth in order to make his case in person and they had agreed.

Personally, Baird thought it was a useless effort, but he respected his half-brother’s attempt to get Storn pardoned and introduce the idea of the Monstrum Kindred to the World Council anyway. Sylvan was nothing if not determined—if anyone could change the humans’ minds about Storn and his people, it was him.

“Yes, I’m ready,” Sylvan said now, answering Baird’s question and cutting into his thoughts at the same time. “It will most likely be a futile fight, but we have to at least try to get Storn pardoned and the Monstrum Kindred accepted.”

Baird frowned.

“Is this all because Storn has bonded his female to him? Or is there some other reason you’re so concerned about the Monstrum Kindred?”

Sylvan’s pale blue eyes filled with concern.

“There is another reason—I have been in contact with the Monstrum leader, Chief Commander Rarev.”

“Really?” Baird raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Does he look anything like Storn?”

Sylvan shook his head.

“He is a Leonis Kindred. He has the body of a humanoid—about the same size as one of us, meaning his kind are bigger and stronger than the humans, just as we are—but his facial features somewhat resemble those of the Earth animal called a lion. His hair is even rather like a big cat’s mane. Also, he appears to have short, dense fur all over his body.”

Baird shook his head.

“The humans aren’t going to like that, you know, Brother. They won’t want to let their females anywhere near a male who looks like an animal. They’ll be screaming ‘bestiality!’ the minute they see him.”

Sylvan sighed.

“Yes, I know that. But Rarev is a decent, honorable male and his people are in terrible trouble. Their universe is much smaller than ours, you know, and it has fewer humanoid species to make a genetic trade with. Just like us, they are 95% male and they had already exhausted their supply of females to call as brides when the gashes in the universes appeared. Now, to add insult to injury, they have been overrun by Darklings.”

“What are Darklings, anyway?” Baird asked, frowning.

Sylvan shook his head.

“As far as I can understand, they’re pure, concentrated evil. They can take many forms but all of them are predatory, looking for sentient beings to feed on and torment.”

“Sounds fucking horrible,” Baird muttered. “And you say their whole universe is overrun by them?”

Sylvan nodded grimly.

“Commander Rarev tells me they have been developing a weapon they hope can defeat them, but at this point it’s too late—their universe has been taken over. Very soon they will have no choice but to retreat.”

“Which means they’re coming here, one way or another, since the gash the Goddess opened for them leads into our universe,” Baird said.

“Yes, but if the humans won’t accept them and allow them to call brides from Earth, they’ll have to try and find another planet of sentient humanoid beings who will,” Sylvan pointed out. “And you and I both know how difficult that can be. We were growing desperate when we found the Earth ourselves— the Monstrum are now in the same position we were back then.”

“It sounds like they’re a dying breed,” Baird remarked.

“I couldn’t have put it better myself, Brother,” Sylvan agreed. “There are only a few thousand of them left and there are millions of potential brides on Earth. They could easily be accommodated by the Bride Draft—if only the humans would allow it.”

“But they’re not going to,” Baird pointed out.

Sylvan shook his head.

“No, probably not. But I have to try. The Goddess herself commanded us to help them. And besides that, they are Kindred, the same as we are. Just because they look different doesn’t mean they don’t share our values. They worship The Mother of All Life and they revere and protect females—that is the essence of what all Kindred are. They should be given a chance to succeed! To grow and thrive as we have!”

Baird was somewhat surprised at his half-brother’s passion on the subject. As a Blood Kindred, Sylvan was mostly calm and logical. If he felt this strongly about the Monstrum Kindred’s right to be integrated into their society and call brides from Earth, he would certainly fight for them. The question was, would the humans listen?