The Wheel
Book One: The Hanged One
by Cynamin

Cordelia was sitting pensively at Angel's bedside. His eyes were closed, thankfully, but that provided little relief. She knew that there was nothing she could do, knew that he'd have to wake up in his own time, but at the same time she *knew* that if he didn't wake up soon they were all doomed.

"And I'm sick of playing nursemaid!" Cordelia said, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in the quiet room.

There was no response, but she wasn't expecting one. Angel hadn't moved in two days now, a fact that was beginning to worry Cordelia. Oh, if his eyes were open then you could make him move, but he didn't even roll over of his own free will anymore. He was terribly pale, like a ghost. She didn't think it was possible for him to get paler, but he had.

"I hope you're happy where you are," Cordelia said to him in a harsh almost-whisper. "Wherever it is, it must be better than here." Cordelia looked at the comatose vampire for a response and, getting none, kept talking. "I spoke to Giles again today. I think he's feeling bad for not speaking to us *before* Buffy's funeral. So now he's telling me *everything* that's going on. And…it's not good, Angel.

"You know how Buffy died, I think. A group of demons, trying to end the world. Doesn't that get repetitive to them? Anyway, it was one ritual in a series of many. Just preparation for the big shebang. They needed to sacrifice a natural witch for one. Buffy barely managed to rescue Willow."

She didn't know why she was telling him this, but she needed to. Maybe, somehow, he'd actually hear her and realize how much he was needed. Maybe he'd come back. "With Buffy gone, though…. They still managed to complete their ritual. They got a friend of Willow's, a girl named Tara. So, now the demons are stronger than before and one step closer to Armageddon. The Slayerettes are a basket case. The Initiative is being decimated by the demons and is about to run for the hills."

She paused for dramatic effect. "And you're unconscious." She glared at the vampire even though he couldn't see her. "If you don't snap out of this soon…. You can forget about 'redemption,' Angel, because the whole world is going to Hell.

On to Book Two: The Chariot

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