Free Five: Out of the Pit (Five #2) by Holli Anderson Page A

soon occur. I longed for the explosion of my head to take place, at least then the agony would be over.
    I clutched my head in my hands and rolled back and forth on the hardwood floor, screaming. I started digging at my eyes and scratching at my face. It barely registered when someone grabbed my wrists and held them tight. I continued to flail from side to side. The only sound I heard was my own screaming. The pain dragged on, minute after minute. Just when I thought it would end, it intensified to the point where I thought I’d lose my mind or my life.
    The eternal pain slowly started to ebb. I clenched my eyes shut and breathed rapidly to stop myself from screaming. Johnathan’s voice broke through to me.
    “Stop! That’s enough, Demon!” Then softer, “Paige, are you okay? Paige?”
    I couldn’t speak yet. I shook my head from side to side.
    The hands that held my wrists let go. Strong arms wrapped around my torso and lifted me into a sitting position. Johnathan hugged me to his chest. I took several deep, shuddering breaths. He rocked back and forth, stroking my hair, kissing my head.
    “Ahh. That was extremely satisfying. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity, Incubus.” I would never hear a British accent again without thinking about the sadistic Demon.
    “Shut up, Demon. Paige, can you see?” Trey’s voice, soft when he addressed me, hardened as he said, “I would like to send this creature of the Fae back to his prison.”
    I didn’t want to open my eyes. I just knew it was a demented joke. That I would open my eyes and the darkness would still be there.
    “Paige, it’s okay. Open your eyes. Look at me,” Johnathan urged.
    I buried my face in his chest.
    He put his hands on either side of my face and tilted my head up toward his. I took a shaky breath and opened my eyes.

ohnathan came into view, blurry at first. I blinked a few times to clear the tears from my eyes and my vision became sharper. Johnathan’s face was the most beautiful sight in all the world. I smiled. A small laugh escaped my throat. The strained look on his face turned to a tired smile.
    I reached up and touched an abrasion next to his eye. “You’re the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, battle wounds and all.”
    “You doubted me?”
Shalbriri
sniffed.
    Trey didn’t give me a chance to answer. “Your services are no longer needed here, Demon.
As you came, you now shall go…”
    He was interrupted by the Demon’s laughter. “I shall return to this realm a short time hence. Along with a multitude of Demons and Fae. And, when I do, Incubus, mayhap I will let you in on a little secret I’ve discovered here this day.” It looked very pointedly at Alec then back at Trey.
    “What are you talking about?” Joe asked.
    “He’s just stalling,” Seth hissed.
    “Believe what you will, young
Quinaie Praesidia
.”
    “How do you plan to return?” Joe persisted.
    “You shall know the time is at hand when the heavens gather blackness and all the elements combine to protect the way. The very jaws of Hell shall gape open its mouth wide after The Five. You should all be very afraid.” It laughed its Demonic laugh, rows of teeth dripping green saliva that hissed as it hit the floor.
    “Send it back, Incubus,” Johnathan said.
    “I’d kind of like to hear about this secret first,” Trey glanced a little apprehensively at Alec. He looked closer, coming to the very edge of his circular prison, and raised an eyebrow. “You… it can’t be…”
    Joe looked from Alec to Trey, comprehension dawning on his rapidly paling face. “Send the Demon back. Now.”
    Trey shook his head in disbelief, tearing his gaze from Alec’s. “
As you came, you now shall go. Back to the same, to your prison below.”
    The smirk on the Demon’s face sent a chill down my spine. The two times I’d been a part of sending him back before, he’d gone begging and screaming for us to let him stay. His complacency, coupled with his last words,