Renata's eyes were closed now, all focus pouring into regaining control of the Scythe. Finally necessary, Drusilla smiled sweetly at Angel, stepping towards him with her arms spread out invitingly.
"My sweet Angelus," she purred. "Don't be like this… you owe me, after all… I've given you so much pleasure over the years…"
"It's Angel," he said coldly. "Angelus wouldn't give half a damn about you, and if anything, I give even less of one now. You've hit a new low here, Dru."
Drusilla's eyes drifted towards Spike, who was calling for Buffy. The Slayer had rushed to his side, and was now sobbing openly with her good hand over her mouth. Spike looked transparent now, and from the looks of the scene, could neither hear nor see Buffy right in front of him.
With a satisfied smile, she turned her attention back to Angel, circling him threateningly, keeping her dagger-sharp nails raised.
"We want the same things, you know…" she whispered. "This spell could be just as kind to you as it will be to me…"
"Right," Angel scoffed. "I knew you were crazy, Dru, but that's one hell of a lie. What would I want with a demon city? I've had enough trouble trying to beat back the hordes in LA."
"Mmmm, oh, I don't know," she sighed, dreamily, staring at him intently from underneath lowered lashes. "How about your sweet little Slayer… all to yourself?"
Angel blinked. For a second, but only that, the demonic voice that still lived inside of him screamed for him to bide his time. Within minutes, Spike would be gone, and Buffy would be his to comfort…
That small piece of Angelus left in him lost any power it held over him as he looked at Buffy through the barrier. She was crying, he could tell that much even with her back to him. When she turned, meeting his eyes, he knew immediately what he had to do. Kicking Drusilla roughly aside, he ripped the Scythe from under Renata's withering fingers, ignoring the searing pain as the white-hot metal burned into his flesh. The sparks flying from the witch set his clothes blazing, but he felt the Scythe in his hands guiding his swing even as his limbs began to burn, using every last bit of strength he had to bring the blade down onto Renata's body. Even as the fire got to him, he felt the Scythe in his hands fade from blazing-heat to comforting warmth, and he let his soul follow its final instructions. As he closed his eyes for the last time, he felt Buffy's protection through it, and followed it to a place she knew from experience that he would find peace.
The wall of protection fell with Renata's last breath, and Buffy felt Spike return to solid form beneath her hands. Gripping both his hands tightly, she let her tears fall freely as they both helped each other to stand. The amulet had fallen to the ground between the stirring Willow and the Scythe, which was still half-embedded in Renata's lifeless body. Drusilla was huddled in the corner, flames blocking one path to the exit, Buffy and Spike blocking the other, trying fearfully to decide which would offer her the best chance of survival.
As Willow sat up, with much difficulty, she could dimly make out the female vampire as she made to run past her, through the flames. Drawing on the reserves of her energy, she pushed the flames in Drusilla's direction, and Drusilla screamed as she was completely consumed, her ashes joining Angel's on the bloodied floor.
Her work done, she waved her hands again, murmuring a soft phrase to put out the flames as Buffy ran to her side, still crying, still gripping Spike's hands tightly. The three of them were still huddling on the floor, staring in anguish at the shambles before them when Giles finally arrived, with Xander and several young slayers in tow.
The fight had already been won, but as always, at an all too steep price.