Toby sagged. “We wait for her decision.” The captain sat back down. “She’s an intelligent girl. She’ll make the right choice.” “And if she doesn’t?” Toby worried at his ragged shirt. “I don’t want her hurt.” Uma snorted. “Careful, Toby. Remember – the crew of the Phoenix has to come first.” “I know.” Toby hung his head, but his heart ached. “I see.” The captain’s eyes met Uma’s. “The Banshee will have fixed their steering by now, so if Nell’s second is here and Nell has plans for me, the Banshee won’t be far. I assume they’re waiting in a safe anchorage nearby. Perhaps we can negotiate with Nell for the return of her daughter.” Toby looked up. “What if there’s another solution? What if we were to offer Ayla a berth on the Phoenix?” He started to speak quickly. “If she’s one of our own crew she has no reason to keep the map from us.”
