Annika yearned for some kind of adventure. She was extremely bright and was growing restless, but at nine years old she felt she should have some freedoms. Her father had refused to budge on so many things, but he would never tell her why and there was no reasonable explanation. She wanted to tell him that she had to grow up and that she was a smart kid, so why did he insist on treating her like a baby?
Masden looked at his daughter. She was so brilliant and so beautiful and so charming and so cunning, but she was so stubborn. He wanted to tell her everything; he hated the lies and the half-truths. He alone could not just tell her everything; he needed Orlan to help. She was smart enough to know that sometimes he told her half-truths or avoided giving her any kind of reasonable answer. So, he wanted to tell his daughter everything, but instead he simply said, ÒYes, letÕs go see Grandpa Orlan.Ó
AnnikaÕs brows furrowed, ÒYou didnÕt answer me.Ó
ÒNor do I intend to at the moment.Ó