Written in Blood

Tension over the Hellmouth comes to a head when prophecies clash with the First Evil and the fate of the world hangs on a single wish.

Author's note: "Written in Blood" is the fourth in the Cadence Saga. Please read the prequels first: "Sunshine and Shadows," "Maximum Entropy," and "Fragile." If you like what you read, let me know!

Disclaimer: I'm borrowing all recognizable characters. I just didn't tell Joss Wheedon or Mutant Enemy.

Flames will be used to cast vengeance spells.

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The wine cellar was full of barrels and struggling bodies. It had started out as a rescue mission: get Caddie back from the psychotic homocidal priest and get out of there. But it had turned out to be a trap and now the Scoobies were fighting for their lives.

It had all gone horribly wrong. One by one the Scoobies fell, broken and bleeding. Caleb stood watching it all, holding Caddie tight at his side. The girl was so scared it was all she could do to remain conscious. She wasn't even glowing anymore.

Buffy's breath was starting to come in ragged gasps. No matter how many Bringers she cut down, more appeared to take their place. She fought against despair and spared a moment to look for Angel.

He was beset by three Bringers, his sword flashing in the dim light. As Buffy watched, a fourth jumped onto his back, causing him to stumble forward. The Bringer grabbed Angel's head and twisted hard, the snap of bone echoeing through the cellar. The bringers immediately lost interest in him as his lifeless body slipped to the ground.

Buffy's sould froze in horror. She couldn't even scream. Then she felt a strange tugging in her stomach and she looked down to see a knife blade protruding from her stomach. It disappeared, leaving a gaping wound that poured blood. She dropped to her knees, her body already growing cold. She sighed and fell forward into the pool of her own blood.