“Oh, acting like a True-Blood?” the man sneered, his lips curling to reveal yellowed teeth. “Let’s see how much fight is left in your spirit when I’m through with you.”

With a bruising grip, the man twisted Avery’s wrist, his other clawed hand raised to strike her across the face.

Suddenly, a sickening thud echoed through the corridor as a forceful kick landed squarely in the man’s spine. The attacker let out a guttural yelp of pain and spun around, a snarl forming on his lips—only to choke on his own breath when he saw the towering figure standing behind him.

Hudson Montgomery stepped into the light, his presence radiating...