P: Making Odds

They were halfway to where Rafaela's ship was docked, before the Queen of Eks Corp spoke again. "What if she would rather go home to her family?"

Brendan actually halted in surprise. Calista's steps carried her forward for a moment before she stopped and turned to look at him questioningly.

"Her ship said that she was shot before she was taken, not asked if she wanted to go home," he protested.

Calista's head tilted in a thoughtful way, and then she shrugged. "I'm not arguing that the child was taken against her will, I'm just questioning whether or not she'll want to be rescued once she discovers where she is going."

"She at least deserves the chance to express her preference," he insisted.

"You mean you deserve to hear what her preference is," his mother corrected.

Brendan almost glared at her, but caught himself, and asked rather coldly, "What do you mean by that?"