Excerpt Part #2: ReVamped by Ada Adams

Author Bio:
At the age of five, Ada read her first chapter book—Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master’s of Science in Education.

Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. ReVamped is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.

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“Storm Scene" Excerpt(Sebastian's POV)
Dawn collapsed on the grass in front of the manor steps, fighting back loud sobs. The deafening thunder and thick rain played an accompanying tune to her desolate mood, as she fought to gain her bearing. Finally, she gave up, and, in a mess of tangled hair and wet clothes, sank further to the ground.
I stood inside the house, concealed behind the heavy drapes of the foyer windows, peering through the rain-streaked glass. Every cell in my body yearned to break down the door, to rush out and scoop her into my arms, to comfort her, and crush whatever or whoever it was that had hurt her.
For a brief moment, I managed to resist the temptation. I clung to the wooden windowsill, not allowing myself to move. The wood slowly began to crumble under the pressure of my hands, disintegrating into splinters and dust.
Don’t get close, Sebastian, my mind warned.
My body, however, failed to obey. Before I had a chance to rip out the entire window from the wall, I tore out of the house and rushed to her side. In three simple strides, I was standing directly above her, gazing down into her tear-filled eyes. Even through the tears and the rain, they shone like a pair of bright amethyst—a color so unique, vibrant and rich. So Dawn.
Whatever you do, don’t get close. Only hurt can come from this. Only hurt for both of you.
But there I was. And I couldn’t just leave her.
“Are you alright?” I asked gently.
“No!” she shouted back, her voice muffled by the loud rain.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing!”
Her dark tank top and jeans clung tightly against her body, the light material completely soaked from the rain. “Do you want to come in? You’re getting wet.” We were both wet at this point, but I didn’t care.
“No!”
I shrugged and lowered myself down beside her. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t say anything. The soft ground gave out a small sigh as my body sank into the mud. We sat side-by-side for what seemed like forever, silently listening to the sounds of the storm.
She kept her eyes focused off into the distance, while my own stayed fixed on her. She was strong, no doubt about it, but with her knees tucked tightly into her chest, she looked so frail and wounded. Once again, I desperately wanted to place my arms around her. Instead, I dug my nails deep into the mud.
The rain slowly began to alleviate and the thunder died down. I was unable to bear the silence any longer. “Dawn, what’s wrong?”
Stop caring, my mind warned.
“Nothing.”
“Are you in trouble?”
Don’t get close.
“No.”
“Is it the training?”
You’re going to be sorry.
“No.”
“Is it that Ethan guy? Did he do something?” The mere thought of Ethan made me want to punch something.
“No,” she said, and I felt my body relax slightly.
“Well, what is it?”
You’re treading on thin ice.
“Why should I tell you?” There was a sudden edge to her voice.
“Hey, you’re the one who came here, remember?”
“It’s not like you care anyway!” she said, burying her face in my knees.
“Perhaps I don’t,” I retorted, lying to us both.
“Then don’t ask!” Suddenly, a small spark ignited in her eyes. It was barely noticeable, but it was startling enough to make me remember who I was dealing with. Dawn wasn’t weak. She was one of the strongest vampires I had ever encountered. Though, that realization didn’t make me want to protect her any less.
“Hey, my pants are all grimy because of you,” I attempted to approach the subject in a teasing manner. “It’s the least you can do.”
Her head snapped up, and a bewildered look crossed her face. She was examining me so intently, I suddenly felt like I had done something wrong. And in a way, I had. I had let my guard down in front of her for a second.
“I—” she began, then fell silent. Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Why don’t you want to join us?”
Because it’s too dangerous. Because I’m too dangerous. Because I don’t want you to end up like her.
Dissatisfied by my inability to answer the question, she narrowed her eyes and thrust her face into mine. We stayed frozen in place for what seemed like forever, the air around bursting with electrical current—charged and ready to explode. A storm was brewing, this time, inside my own body. I dug my hands even deeper into the earth.
“Why?” she repeated again, with an even greater urgency.
I didn’t want to lie, but I was at a loss for words. No matter how much I wanted to reveal every little part of my world, I couldn’t tell her about myself. I couldn’t share my past. It was an unpleasant tale; one that would, without a doubt, lead her to hate me.
But if I didn’t speak, she would leave. And I desperately didn’t want her to do that.
Before I had a chance to think of a solution, the shrill sound of her cell phone rang through the air. We both jumped, pulling away from each other.
“I have to take this,” she said, moving even further away. I breathed a sigh of relief, letting go of a lifetime of tension that seemed to have accumulated in my shoulders in mere minutes.
Dawn listened to the muffled voice on the other line, then hung up.
“It’s Ethan,” she said, turning back to me.
Don’t react. You don’t care, remember? “Right.”
“Our friend Hannah is in some kind of trouble. Do you want to come along?” she asked, her voice inviting—almost pleading.
I wanted to. So very bad. I hated the thought of her going off with Ethan. I hated the thought of her being in danger, and not being around to help.
She’s in more danger around you, my mind warned.
I jumped up, suddenly grateful for the distance between us. “I’d like to Dawn, but I can’t. I just…can’t.”
“Of course not,” she retorted bitterly.
She left without saying goodbye. I watched her disappear into the forest, desperately wishing I could run after her.
Soon, she will leave Angel Creek and you will never have to think about her again.

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I hope you all enjoyed getting to read this excerpt from Sebastian's POV! And if you missed Part 1 from Dawn's perspective, go HERE, and don't forget to enter my giveaway for a kindle copy of ReVamped here!