Avery Whitlock is still reeling from the tragic accident that killed her adoptive father Gregory Whitlock when her childhood friends Oscar and Blue invite her out to BlackBurn, a new nightclub in a nearby city. Avery can think of at least a hundred things she would rather be doing, but after a bit of prodding from her dad she decides that a bit of alcohol probably won't make things much worse.
Once inside, she's so focused on staying upright and not being miserable that she doesn't see the mystery man in the corner watching her. Though if she had, she would have certainly been in awe of his thick, black waves and piercing gaze. By the time the man has begun to make his way towards her, moving through the crowd with ease, Avery is on the floor.
The man pauses, watching as Oscar and Blue run to their friends side. They assume that she's had too much to drink, or that exhaustion has finally overtaken her. But he knows the truth. He was too late. He didn't get her to the academy in time and...Oh, God. Lilith was going to kill him for good this time.
