Even Demons Can Be Saved

Broken Trust

When Eve got off the elevator, she sighed at the sight of Tseng waiting for her. He lifted a brow when he took in the bruises that were already turning purple and the dark circles that were under her eyes. He shook his head when she drew even with him. "You are lucky that I was the one watching the cameras. I have already altered the audio and some of the video. I had to leave enough to explain why you were passed out."

She sighed again and shook her head. "I should have known he would react like that. I had hoped after I showed him what would happen that he would at least try to listen."

They had made it to the offices by that time, and Tseng motioned her to join him. Eve wanted her bed, but she knew there was no getting out of this conversation. She nearly fell into the seat when he closed the door.

The look he gave her was disturbed. "You were not lying when you told him that you showed him the future?"

She leaned her head back against the chair and closed her eyes before she responded. "No, I don't know how to explain what I did, but Minerva used me to pass along some of the same visions I have already told you about. That was what she showed me earlier. It was not quite what I expected, but he is armed with the truth now. The real truth and not the lies Hollander has been feeding him."

She lifted her head with a grimace. Moving her neck like that was already a chore, but she ignored the pain as she continued. "I know he said to stay away from him, but I will have to try to talk to him again sometime soon. It may take him time to sort through everything, but once he does, I'm sure he will be less likely to try and kill me on sight."

Even though Eve was partially joking, Tseng gave her a hard look. "You may have started something that will blow up in our faces. I have already told you that information should be limited until we know more."

She shook her head. She was too tired to fight with him, but she still tried to explain. "First off, it was a suggestion directly from Minerva. I doubt she would have me give him that information for no reason. Secondly, you have a point about the uncertainty. I know what I did was a gamble. I can't regret it, though. I have to find a way to see this through."

Tseng sat back and watched her as she leaned her head back again. He had seen her exhausted after some of her training lessons, but never to this extent. He was sure it was more than just mana drain. The lurid marks on her neck were a potent reminder that she had initiated something that he still did not understand. He had no room to worry, though. What was done was done, and it was his job to figure out how to mitigate any possible damage. He repressed a sigh again. He thought, not for the first time that this woman would be the death of him.

He got her attention once more and nodded to the door. "Get some sleep. I will see where Commander Rhapsodos is and keep an eye on his movements. If I need to act to preserve peace, I will."

She sat forward again and glared. "Killing him will not make this better. I know he is an unknown, but there has to be a better way."

Tseng's face settled into a cold mask. "I have heard your request before, but I will do what needs to be done. That is my job."

Eve wanted to throw something at the obstinate man, but she could barely move. "Please at least contact me before you make that choice. I need to try."

Tseng could tell she was nearly asleep where she sat, but he knew she was too stubborn to give up and go rest already. He stood and leaned over his desk. "You will sleep now. You are of no use to anyone like you are. Even an ether was not enough. You cannot expect to take any action like this. If I have time, I will contact you before any action is taken. That is the most I can promise."