Page 29 of Vibes

I expected to be angry when I finally shifted. The blinding rage that built as Iris crafted a plan all alone made me really hone in on what I wanted to do to the fucker once I’m free of this damn prison.

The angle is awkward when I shift, and my body literally pushes Dylan’s backwards and out of the way as my tongue settles inside of her. I rip my mouth away from Iris immediately, spinning to glare at the asshole who strolled into her bedroom while she showered.

I saw the whole thing but couldn’t do much about it, not when I was trapped as that stupid vibrator. He definitely picked the locks, and like a coward he then hid in her closet to attack her.

And right before I shifted, he had the audacity to think she was playing along to please him.

Dylan stares bug-eyed between us, taking unbalanced steps backward as his chest rises and falls too quickly. His words hang in the air between us as I straighten up.

I don’t wait for either of them to speak. This went farther than I ever wanted it to, and without worrying about clothes, or modesty, I whip around and throw myself at Dylan, punching him as hard as I can in the face.

He cries out, the crunching sound of bone filling the room as his nose gives. I don’t know if it’s broken or hella fucking bruised, but I don’t care. I can’t wait to do it again.

And again. And again.

I’m not a believer in divine intervention, or Cora’s meddling, but right now I am almost grateful to be Iris’s cursed toy. It means even when in danger she wasn’t actually alone.

Dylan spits on the ground, and when he sneers at us his face is bloody. The dull ache in my hand is nothing compared to the satisfaction I feel from hitting him like that, and awkward moment be damned, he deserved every fucking ounce of hate I put into that. His teeth are red as he glares at us, and I feel Iris’ shaky grip wrap around my hip before she digs her fingernails in.

She’s scared, rightly so. But Dylan should be more afraid.

“What the fuck, Iris?” he growls, his words a little slurred from the fat lip. God how I want to punch him again.

“This isn’t her fault,” I tell him, crossing my arms. His eyes rake over my naked body, seeming lost between confused, disgusted, and maybe terrified. I’m sticking with the latter for now. “Don’t start trying to place the blame on her. This is all your fault.”

Technically it’s Cora’s, but semantics.

A soft voice catches my attention, and I don’t dare tear my eyes away from Dylan when she speaks in a soft voice. “Lachlan.”

“How the hell did you even end up here?” Dylan continues, dragging his hands down his face. There’s a wild look in his eyes, and he’s jittery as he rocks back and forth while rubbing the spot I hit on his face. “I knew I heard your voice!”

I shrug, stepping closer to him and away from Iris’s calming touch. I don’t want to be calm right now. I guess Dylan didn’t hear or care that I was at practice last night. “Unfortunately for you, I’ve been close this entire time.”

He’s almost too easy to rile up right now, and I’m not trying to diffuse anything because I’m so goddamn pissed I’m itching to keep going. I’d love to put him in a hospital and explain I found him sneaking into her place, forcing her to do things she clearly doesn’t want.

Dylan abandons his pity party, throwing himself forward to strike me. I’m not small like Iris, and after this terrible morning I’ve learned his one and only move is intimidation. So when he punches me in the head it hurts like a bitch, but anger keeps me going and I drive my fist into his face again.

He stumbles, and I do it again because it feels fucking right. He teeters backward and slams his hip into the corner of her dresser, throwing off his balance. As he stumbles I hit him again, aiming for his shoulder, and he goes down in a heap.

It’s not good enough. I’m still seeing red.

Iris appears between us then, wrapping something around my waist. Her eyes are wide, glasses askew, and since I looked away from her she’s pulled a robe around herself. I don’t remember her wearing her glasses a moment ago. “Lachlan, stop punching him.”

“I think you mean oh Lachlan, please keep punching him.”

She scowls, tightly wrapping the blanket around my hips. I guess we’re back to makeshift togas, and instead of commenting I grip the back of her neck and drag her to me. She’s shaking, letting me tuck her into my chest as I breathe in her scent.

It’s horrifying to watch someone you’ve come to care about shake with fear and be unable to do anything about it. Iris had to give bits of herself to Dylan to get me out of that damn prison, and even if he’s collapsed on the ground, he’s still a threat. I keep my eyes on him as he groans on the floor, wondering how many more hits he can take before he passes out. I don’t want him watching her, not when he’s already gotten away with that this morning.

And how many others?

Forcing the thought away, I kiss the top of her head and pull Iris tight against my chest. When I speak, my words are gravelly, just above a whisper so Dylan can’t eavesdrop no matter what state he’s in. “I told you, wallflower. If you have any enemies to take care of, come to me. He’s mine to destroy now for daring to touch you.”

She tightens her grip on me, and when she looks up again I can feel the protest building on her lips. It doesn’t matter what she’s going to say though, because a loud voice outside interrupts.

“This is the Evergreen Police Department! Open up.”

And just like that, the worry in her gaze is replaced with annoyance. I’m not sure who called in a disturbance, but it’s about fucking time.