Jason went back to the house after his mother called him several times, but not until he finished yet another string of apologies for his errant remark. Despite his efforts, Elizabeth was none to amused—truth was, neither was I, but I also knew it was kind of a defense mechanism for him and it told me he was really worried, even afraid. The reunion was wonderful, but sad at the same time. Their journey to locate Ward and Buford had been unsuccessful. Both Benjamin and Elizabeth still held out hope that they were okay, but it didn't appear Tink held the same optimism, although he didn't elaborate.
"I am truly sorry we did not arrive sooner," Benjamin repeated. "I am thankful that no one was injured in the mayhem."
"But the house?" I pouted.
"There, there," Elizabeth soothed, "it was only a possession. What's this?" she gawked, pulling my hand toward her face. My new ring flickered in the moonlight. "Young lady, I—"
"Elizabeth," Melanie cautioned.
"It's not what you think," Jason said from the top of the bank. He slid down the muddy slope, barely able to maintain his balance and stepped to my side.
"How does he do that?" Melanie whispered. He's not supposed to—"
"May I?" Jason asked, taking my hand from Elizabeth. He turned to face Benjamin. "Sir, I hope you will forgive me for not speaking with you first, but I felt Izzy needed to know that my intentions are sincere. With your permission." He turned toward Elizabeth. "And yours, Ma'am, I would like to date your daughter exclusively."
Elizabeth started to speak, but Benjamin grasped her hand and she refrained.
"You have our permission, young man."
Jason sighed deeply.
"There are strict boundaries," Benjamin continued.
"I understand."
"You understand the danger?"
"The bikers? Oh, you mean—yes, I accept the responsibility and the danger. I will guard your secret with my life. Your daughter is my life."
Elizabeth glanced down at the ring. "Silver?" she huffed.
"Platinum, Ma'am," Jason said, turning me to face him.
"I've never even heard of platinum," Elizabeth scoffed.
"More precious than gold," Jason whispered, leaning toward me and lifting my face to his.
"Ah hum," Benjamin cleared his throat.
"Sorry, Sir." Jason pulled back a safe distance or I would have kissed him. "About the biker's, Sir, are these the same ones from Georgia?"
"I think this is the main group, but not the ones they picked up along the way."
"That makes sense, Cathy said they were going to Arkansas, but she must have been fooled by the others." Jason looked up at Benjamin. "You know about Cathy?"
"I do."
"Are these bikers the human guys, or the zombie army guys?"
Benjamin frowned. "The latter."
"Can they be human again?" I asked.
"Not to my knowledge. They will either be changed or die."
"Changed would be bad," Jason speculated.
"Correct. We would not stand a chance against an army of our kind," Benjamin agreed. "Not to mention the threat they would pose to the local human population."
"How do you feel about killing them?" Jason asked.
Nathan and Tink moved closer.
"Not a choice I relish, but I am afraid we have little choice," Benjamin replied.
"I'm not sure it will help," Tink said. "This guy could control more of our kind, the bikers could be a trap."
"I don't think so," I said. "Think about it, why create so many almost vampires when it would have been easier to create an army to destroy us? I don't think he wants to create anymore of our kind."
"From what we learned in Georgia," Jason speculated, "I think we all agree this guy is from your time. What if he's—"
"Absolution," Elizabeth speculated.
"He is destroying what he created, ridding the world of his evil so to speak," Benjamin concluded.
"If that's true, then I just might have a plan," Jason said.