Chapter 161
Absolom paced nervously within this underground church. This was the night of the Harvest, when the blood of men would flow as wine. Tonight the Master would at last return to them. Then the minions returned with bad news. The slayer Faith and a potential named Buffy had interfered. Luke was dust. He'd killed only five people. Was it enough? The Master still slept. Absolom feared they had failed. Luke's death was not completely unexpected, he had been willing to die for their unholy cause. Now it may have been in vain, the human pestilence would continue. Then the pool of blood began bubbling. Had the Harvest worked after all? He emerged from the pool. A vampire, stronger, having grown past the curse of human features. Absolom and the others looked upon him with religious awe and terror. Their Master had returned to them.