She Was Supposed to Stay Broken, So I Let Her Think She Had novel · Chapter 5 of 40

Chapter 5: The Price of a Quiet Errand

I place Dov's sealed medicine parcel in Aldren's hands and ask him to confirm where it must be delivered.

He takes the package without looking at the label. His other hand stays near the archive keys at his belt.

'Sera,' he says, 'you could have sent Dov's assistant.'

'The parcel is sealed. I need the correct corridor.'

Aldren studies me, then the package. Behind him, a supply stall displays jars of dried leaves, lamp oil, and folded cloth. Dov waits at the next counter, sorting an order for a market customer.

'Vessa's room is in the archive,' he says. 'The corridor is restricted.'

'I know.'

He lowers his voice. 'You understand that this is only medicine. It does not change her placement.'

There it is. A narrow offer of help with its limit carefully attached.

I let the silence stay between us long enough for him to decide I have no answer.

'She needs the medicine,' I say.

Aldren glances toward Dov. She is weighing dried mint into a paper packet, listening to the customer explain that his son refuses anything bitter.

'He will learn,' Dov says. 'Children always do when the alternative is worse.'

The customer laughs. Dov adds another pinch of mint, then folds the packet shut.

My mouth almost moves. Dov can make a medical instruction sound like a verdict.

Aldren shifts the parcel under his arm. 'I can take it when I unlock the inner records. That is the safest route.'

'When?'

His eyes settle on me. He is deciding whether the question belongs to a frightened woman or a careful one.

I keep my face still. The bandage on my palm pulls when I turn my hand. I leave it alone.

'The archive corridor is opened for routine records before the council clerks arrive,' he says. 'I cannot promise you access.'

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