She Was Supposed to Stay Broken, So I Let Her Think She Had novel · Chapter 17 of 40

Chapter 17: A Place Left Unclaimed

I hand Kael the unsigned response and ask him to find the person responsible for Vessa's placement.

He takes the paper. Lirien watches his eyes move over the empty line, then turns her attention to me.

'Eln asked for a clear answer before the sitting,' she says. 'She thought it might spare everyone an unnecessary dispute, and I said I would bring the question to you myself.'

The sheet is already addressed to the council head. Beneath the request for Vessa's location, another line asks me to confirm that the named placement can be acted upon.

No destination. No officer responsible for carrying out the change. Only my name beneath the request, waiting to make an uncertain order look settled.

'Who is responsible for her placement?' I ask.

Lirien's smile arrives before her answer. 'Surely the person who knows where she is can say that.'

Amber gathers around her head. Her spoken words continue, but a second voice slips beneath them.

If Sera names the archive, Eln can send someone before the sitting.

The apothecary's stove gives a small pop. Dov is sorting dried leaves at the worktable. Kael holds the response between us.

I let Lirien's thought pass without changing my expression. The name of a place would give them somewhere to go. I keep my question where it belongs.

'Who has authority to move her?' I ask.

'I only brought the request.' Lirien looks toward Kael, as if he might make this easier for her. 'Eln wants the matter clarified, not turned into another conflict.'

The dry leaves shift beneath Dov's fingers. She does not look up.

Kael reads the whole page. 'There is no destination listed.'

'That is why Sera's answer matters,' Lirien says. 'She can supply what is missing.'

'She can supply a name,' I say. 'I am asking who takes responsibility if that name is acted upon.'

The amber shimmer holds around Lirien's head. The next thought breaks through before she speaks.

If I say Eln, Sera will ask whether Eln authorized the change.

'The council head made the request,' Lirien says. 'That should be enough to let you answer.'

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