“She did what?” Jim Tompkins asked, incredulous. “My daughter?”

“I’m afraid so,” Casina said over the v’d’mr. It had taken her a few days, but she had managed to locate Jenny’s father as he awaited release from the lock down in Zaratan. He was in a safety residence several miles—korons—below ground.

“I can’t believe my daughter would do such a thing,” Jim continued, lines of worry creasing his brow. “It doesn’t sound like her.”

“I know,” Casina replied, “but she has been…out of sorts lately. Since Jeiel left at Christmas and you relocated to Zaratan, she has felt abandoned and alone, I’m afraid. She needed some adventure.” Jim snorted.

“Adventure,...