“Is that right?” The Beast Kindred frowned. “So the male you trampled was her ex-mate—Hank Rogan?” he asked, turning towards Storn.
Storn nodded.
“I believe so. I had never seen him before but when I found him he was twisting a wire around Mia’s throat and she…” He felt himself sway for a moment as the awful scene appeared again in front of his eyes. “She looked as though she was dying,” he finished in a low, harsh voice. “The Rage overcame me and I…I lost myself. I do not know if I killed him but I won’t deny that I tried.”
Baird sighed deeply and clapped him on the back.
“Well, if there was ever a male who deserved to die, Hank Rogan was it. And if you were a regular Kindred from our universe, the humans couldn’t say a damn thing about it. The World Council has ruled that no Kindred who goes into Rage defending his mate can be prosecuted for their actions. However…”
“I am not from your universe,” Storn said in a low voice. “And I was told by the Head of the High Council, Commander Sylvan himself, not to step foot on Earth or to draw any human attention to myself.”
“That’s it in a nutshell,” Baird said and sighed again. “I can appreciate your need to save your female, but I’m afraid you’re going to have to come before the Council anyway.”
“I understand,” Storn said. “But surely, as Kindred, they can identify with the Rage that overtook me when I saw what that male was doing to my female!”
“They can,” Baird said. “But the humans who govern the Earth cannot. We’ve already gotten complaints from the World Council and demands to know who and what you are and how you ended up on Earth apparently trying to trample a human to death.” He shrugged. “So the Council has to convene—the human leadership has demanded it and our relationship with them is very delicate. The Kindred’s ability to call brides from Earth hangs in the balance.”
“But all of this is ridiculous!” Dr. Olivia exclaimed. “You haven’t seen her injuries, Baird! Mia’s ex-husband was using a piano wire on her! He could have cut her head off—in fact, I think that’s what he was trying to do before Storn, here, stopped him!”
“You can come and testify on his behalf if you want, lilenta,” Baird said, frowning. “Hell—I’ll put in a good word myself. I met that human scumbag down on Earth when Talon and I went to make him sign the divorce papers—he deserves everything Storn dished out to him and more. Unfortunately, when he trampled the shit out of Rogan, the people watching caught everything on their devices. It’s already all over the human media and the things they’re saying are not flattering or good for the Kindred as a whole—let alone Storn’s kind of Kindred.” He looked at Storn. “I’m afraid this isn’t a very good way to introduce the Earth to the Monstrum Kindred, Brother. In fact, it might have fucked up everything royally for your kind.”
Storn hung his head as shame coursed through him.
“This is all my fault. I should not have let the Rage take me,” he admitted. “But when I saw him twisting that wire around Mia’s neck…” He shook his head, unable to continue.
“Don’t you worry—I’ll testify on your behalf.” Dr. Olivia lifted her chin. “I’ll show them pictures of the injuries too. They need to know why you went into Rage—I’m sure they’ll understand when they see.”
“Will they?” Storn asked listlessly. He couldn’t help thinking that he had ruined everything—the people of the Earth would never accept the Monstrum Kindred now. And yet, what else could he have done?
“Is your patient safe to leave?” Baird asked Dr. Olivia. “Because the Council is assembling right now. I’m supposed to bring Storn with me to stand before them.”
“Just give me a minute,” Olivia told him. “I want to take some pictures and tell the nurses to keep an eye on her and I’ll be right behind you.”
“All right—we’ll meet you in the Council Chamber,” Baird told her. Then he turned to Storn. “Come on, Brother—time to face the music, as the humans say.”
Storn didn’t know the meaning of this particular phrase, but it didn’t sound good to him. Silently, he followed the big Beast Kindred away from the Med Center.
He had no idea what was coming next, but he knew it couldn’t be good.
27
“So they’re banishing you from the Mother Ship? Just for saving me?” Mia’s voice was low and hoarse and it hurt to speak, but she couldn’t be silent when this horrible injustice was happening to the male she loved.
Storn nodded, looking miserable.
“I’m afraid so, lovely one. I am permitted to stay one more night and then I must leave early tomorrow morning.”
“But…where will you go?” Mia asked, feeling sick at the thought of losing him.