Read Five: Out of the Pit (Five #2) for Free Online Page B

didn’t want to wake you. It’s my fault you’re so tired to begin with.”
    “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re shaking.”
    “I was a little scared, that’s all. I’m fine now that you’re here.”
    He gave my shoulders a squeeze. “We’d better get back in there. The others are looking for you, too.”
    He helped me to stand. My knees were weak and I fought to keep from swaying. I wrapped my arms around Johnathan’s neck and hugged him tight against me.
    “I love you, Johnathan.”
    He hugged me back, lifting my feet off the ground. “I love you, too.”
    We stood that way for a couple of minutes. It felt so right to be in his arms.
How can I even be considering
his
offer?
I could never betray Johnathan or my own morals, could I?
I can’t betray Johnathan. Not for my sight. Not for anything.
    A terrifying yet provocative idea implanted itself in my mind in that moment. I knew where he lived. We could go after him, now. We could end this torment tonight, together, the Five of us.
    Or, I can go alone, and get my sight back. Johnathan wouldn’t need to know. I could keep it from him. Make up some story as to how I came to see again.
The thought of the Incubus’s lips, his body pressed against mine, his muscles tightening as he wrapped his arms around me…
    I shook my head to try and clear those traitorous thoughts away.
    “You okay?” Johnathan asked, as he lowered me back to the ground and pulled back from our embrace.
    I nodded. “Kiss me, John.”
    He did. His lips tasted so sweet, his kiss so gentle. My mind and heart filled with images of Johnathan. The feelings I’d felt while locked in a
soul-gaze
with him came flooding back. The sure knowledge of his love engulfed me and wrapped me in a protective blanket. I felt his sharp intake of breath as I pressed my body closer to his and entangled the fingers of my good hand in his hair. The intensity of the kiss increased and he tightened his grip with one arm encircling my back. He brought his other hand to my face, resting his palm near my ear while his fingers wrapped around to the back of my head, pulling, tilting my head up so his mouth could more fully devour mine.
    Thoughts of the Incubus fled to the back edges of my mind. They were still there, but dull and lifeless now.
    Johnathan’s lips pulled away. His breaths came in short, quick bursts of air. He tilted my chin up with one hand and then brushed the hair away from my face—still holding my body tight against his with his other arm. “As much as I’d like to stand here and kiss you all day, we’d better get back to the others.” His voice was low and husky.
    Footsteps on the gravel were followed by Halli’s voice. “There you are. We were starting to get worried. Joe sent me out to see if you needed help, Johnathan. It looks like I just interrupted you, though.” I pictured the impish grin I was sure was plastered on her face.
    Johnathan cleared his throat. “We were just on our way back in.”
    He turned and grasped my good hand in his as we walked with Halli back toward the building. The others met us at the door and Alec said, a bit boisterously, “Mariah said there’s a great ice cream shop down the street. You guys wanna go check it out?”
    I’d completely forgotten about Alec’s date. I wondered if anyone had had the chance to ask her about the Incubus.
    “It’s called Crystal’s Cakes and Cones. They have cupcakes
and
ice cream,” Mariah said.
    “What’re we waiting for?” Seth asked. “Do you know how long it’s been since I had ice cream? Too long!”
    “All right, we’ll go get ice cream.” Joe sighed. “But then we have things we need to get done.”
    “Yes! Lead the way, Beautiful,” Alec said.
    I pulled on Johnathan’s hand a little so we moved to the back of the pack. “Has anyone asked her about the Incubus?”
    “I don’t think so. No one’s quite sure how to bring it up.”
    “I’ll bring it up.” I quickened my steps to catch back up