The Kindred

Joy Abara is a commoner from the planet Hali whose connection to nobility brings unwanted attention. She is Kindred to a notorious nobleman, an arrangement created by the Kindred Program. The program pairs upper- and lower-class citizens telepathically from birth, intending to prevent social class from limiting whose voice is heard. The story examines Joy’s position within that system and the consequences of a society built around these involuntary bonds.