Free Revamped by Ada Adams Page B

the diner earlier in the day. He stuck his head out of the driver’s seat window, a big smile forming across his chiseled face.
    "Well hello there, stranger,” Ethan said, his deep voice overflowing with warmth.
    He jumped out of the car, his brown leather boots kicking up dirt as his feet touched ground. In three quick steps, he traversed the driveway, materializing right in front of me.
    “I wanted to pay you a visit,” he said demurely. “Of course, I had no idea where you were staying, so I just drove around aimlessly. I couldn’t believe my luck when I actually ran into you! Hannah told me you stopped by the diner today…” he trailed off, but the mischievous glimmer in his eyes implied that Hannah had also divulged that my reason for coming by.
      Dawn wanted to see you so badly, Ethan. She was so heartbroken when she found out you weren’t at work . I cringed, imagining the elaborate tale Hannah had spun. In that moment, I wished vampires could really dissolve into a cloud of smoke. Or at least turn into bats and fly away. Instead, I just stood there, drowning in embarrassment.
    “Uhh, wait here while I put the groceries away,” I told Ethan, looking down at the paper bag in my arms, suddenly thankful for the distraction. “I’ll be right back to give you a tour of the property.”
    I made my way across the training grounds, smiling proudly when I saw that the four vampire recruits were busily engaged in combat practice.
    “Hey guys! Look at this huge, ancient crossbow I found in Dawn’s weapon trunk!” Seth exclaimed from across the field.
    He waved the weapon around, gasping in terror as the spring holding the arrow in place dislodged. The sharp bolt sliced through the air , heading straight at me. Before I even had a chance to react, Ethan rushed to my side. He moved with superhuman speed, and with even more extraordinary strength, he covered my body with his, hastily pushing me out of the way. The sickening sound of the arrow’s sharp head connecting with Ethan’s flesh spread throughout the meadow. The arrow had penetrated his thick leather jacket, lodging deep into his chest. Bright red blood began to soak his shirt, its sickly-sweet scent filling the air around us. He grunted in pain, collapsing to the ground and taking me down with him.
    “ Ohmigod !” Brooke screamed, as the group rushed to our side.
    “It just went off!” Seth cried, holding back tears. ”I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry !” he repeated over and over again.
    “Sophie, get the first aid kit from my car,” I ordered, anxiously looking over at Ethan. Color had drained from his face, as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. I gently pulled us both into a seated position, so that his back rested against my body.
    “Ethan,” I called out gently. “Ethan, I’m going to take a look.” I said, sliding off his jacket. He twitched slightly at the sound of my voice, but his eyes remained unfocused.
    Sophie returned with the medical supplies and I worked quickly to cut off Ethan’s shirt and assess the injury. The arrow had missed all of the vital organs, but regardless, he was losing a lot of blood.
    “We have to do something,” Sophie whispered as Ethan began to drift out of consciousness.
    “He needs a doctor,” Hunter suggested.
    Brooke buried her face in her hands. “He won’t make it to town!”
    “Ethan, Ethan! Wake up!” I pleaded, holding his limp head in my hands.
    I have to remove the arrow, I realized, a heavy feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. The only possible way to extract it was to push its tip all the way through Ethan’s chest.
    I took in a deep, shaky breath. “This is going to hurt,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. Without further hesitation, I thrust the arrow deeper into Ethan’s chest. He grunted, his entire body convulsing in pain.
    “Hang in there, Ethan. It’s all going to be over soon.” I sounded so calm and collected; all the while, I was screaming on the