Rage

Rage

## Original Cover

Rage is book two in the Feathers and Fire series.

## Blurb

**Hell hath no fury like Callie Penrose…**

Ever since Callie—the Vatican’s rookie monster hunter—killed a demon a few weeks ago, Kansas City’s been eerily quiet.

But she soon learns it’s just the calm before the storm.

Because werewolves begin abducting young women in Kansas City, and a new church opens its doors, pronouncing death to all idols, including these ‘make-believe’ monsters and wizards.

But when one of their congregation is disemboweled by a monster on the steps of the church with the phrase *God is dead* painted in blood, someone in the church decides to take a lesson from the Salem Witch Trials… And the police seem to be helping.

Callie must catch the killer before Kansas City erupts in civil war. A civil war she inadvertently started. Before everyone decides to kill each other. Or worse yet, her.

But she’s being stalked. By something unseen. More than one something… And with so many new faces coming to Missouri—gods, legends, and nightmares—Callie begins to realize it’s all someone’s sick idea of a game.

And that Hell never really left Kansas City. Or Callie Penrose.

After all, they say Missouri loves company…

## Opening

*Roland glared at me, actually grinding his teeth as he shook his head in the morning darkness. “No, Callie.”*

*“What? I thought you might need it,” I said in a sweet tone, casually sweeping the streets with my eyes, not paying particular attention to the lights in the bakery shop before us. Two young men sat at a table inside, but after a brief look at us through the window, they resumed their conversation. Only two, I thought to myself angrily, using my peripheral vision to keep tabs on them as I readjusted my light jacket absently...*

*...“Just because I was injured a few weeks ago doesn’t mean I need a walker,” he seethed, pointing at the contraption I had pulled out of the back of my pickup truck.*

## Plot

Callie and Roland are on a hunt, looking for a group of rogue werewolves that have been kidnapping women.  They get a tip about a bakery where they decide to check early in the morning.  They find the werewolves and fight them but one gets away.  They find two women, beaten and raped but alive.

Callie, still reeling from events with Jonathan, is worried about Claire.  She isn’t acting like herself, especially since finding out about Gabriel.  Callie sets up a meet with her to check on her.  Claire tells her about an encounter with a werebear where she got scratched.

### Pause here a moment WARNING, Possible Spoilers Ahead

Callie decides to visit the Bear Country.  There, she finds that the bears are honorable, and it was a rogue werebear that hurt Claire.  An oath is made, werebears promise to help Claire if she has been turned. Callie explains the offer of help and feels this is the best solution for Claire.

At the church to check on the girls, they meet representatives from a new church.  Callie feels there is something off about the trio and acts abrupt with them. How can you agree with the stance for violence first?

Callie decides to train and while there, she reflects on the shared white power with Nate, and that she is no longer a regular.  Roland sets up a test for Callie to seek her commitment and obedience to the work.  It comes with harsh words and a break of trust between them.  Callie is hurt and feels she is now alone.  She reaches out to Nate for answers and discovers that there are some hard truths in life.  He helps her understand why Roland had to test her.

Callie goes jogging to let off steam and believes someone is stalking her.  As she runs away from them, she ends up at the end of an alley where she meets the most unusual couple, Darling & Dear.  Quick banter between the two of them confuses Callie but she finds that she likes them.  She discovers that they own a special leather shop, but not who or what they are.

Callie discovers that there has been a murder at the new church and she goes to investigate. She meets a detective who intrigues her and finds out that he is on the case of what happened at the bakery.   Callie yearns to trust him but he is a regular.

As part of good relations, Callie goes to a fundraiser at the new church.  There, she meets another interesting person, James Vale, who invites her to a party.  And besides James, she finds the Master Vampire from Kansas City is present, Haven.  Mysteries abound.

Callie continues talking to Killian, the detective.  She feels he is different and confesses that she is a wizard.  Even though it is a surprise, he is open to the possibility.  She discovers that another werewolf is dead.  Callie is adamant that regardless, acts of violence are not the answer.

Callie meets with Father David and the members of the new church to discuss events. Callie tries to explain her feelings about hate.  She leaves and comes upon a homeless man named Arthur.  They talk as equals and she invites him for a meal.  Arthur tells Callie his story and a friendship has begun. Callie goes on and checks on Claire, still no news.

Killian wants Callie’s help and they decide to meet at Jonathan and Amira’s mansion, maybe there is a link.  While there, Callie reads Killian’s soul.  He isn’t happy about it but wants to still work together.  While in the mansion, they discover the mansion is bespelled and odd things happen to distort reality. In the midst of confusion, Callie has a vision.  Is Missouri chosen for a supernatural reason?  Callie realizes that Amira is the demon now in charge.

Callie invites Killian to go with her to James’ party.  She feels there could be answers found there since it is a freak party.   Entering the party is  eye-opening; parlor games, elaborate artwork is destroyed and the truth about James comes out.  He is the real Dorian Gray!  Along with meeting a couple of interesting and likeable guests, Cain (the first murderer) and Mike Arthur (the djinn who enjoys vaping), Callie and Killian only get innuendos and obscure clues.  And, Callie discovers that Killian has a sense of humor.

News comes their way; the Vatican has been attacked!

Callie makes her way to the new church to talk to Pastor Ben.  An argument happens and he calls Callie an abomination.  She attacks him in Desmond and Brigette’s presence (two other members of the church).  Finally, Callie apologizes but stands by her belief that their church has the wrong foundation of hate.

There is another murder.  This time it is a werebear!  This worries Callie because of her new relationship with the bears.

Callie has another encounter with Darling and Dear.  This time they come bearing gifts.  She gets a new pair of shoes, special shoes that change style and color whenever you want.  Callie thinks of Nate and a possible gift for him.  Cost?  All they ask is to get rid of upheaval in Kansas City and show them mercy in days to come.  They also reveal that they know Cain and he is watching over her, only to protect her.

Callie checks in with Claire, no change yet.  She checks in with Roland; there is a mole but they are unable to figure who it is.  Callie asks if what happened to the Vatican has anything to do with Kansas City?

Callie goes to train again and hears from Killian.  The police are heading to her apartment.  She heads to the apartment and rids the place of any supernatural presence.

Callie has a magical blending of her white magic to silver angel blood.  She has an encounter with herself in a mirror. She gets advice from herself and learns that God is real.

Callie and Killian have another encounter with Dorian Gray.  They discover the truth about the defaced painting.   There is a realization that a blood bath with a demon is coming.  They discuss a plan, arrange for Killian to be kidnapped, setting up an argument with Cain.  Callie goes to see Father David for assistance, runs into Arthur who is working at the church, and has an understanding with Father David.  Callie receives another gift from Darling and Dear.

Callie meets with Amira; Killian has been captured and Yuri (rogue werebear) shows himself.  Brigette is revealed as the accomplice.  Amira apparently has been pitting everyone against each other, including Haven, and placing the blame on Callie.

It seems everyone has shown up for the confrontation, including the werebears.  In the midst of fighting Amira, Callie grows angelic wings which surprises everyone.  Yuri shows that he has captured Claire who battles the demon.  All of a sudden Claire has turned into a polar bear, but the change has wiped her energy so she struggles. The fight continues with Callie using her white power encouraging her to use the Spear against the demon.  Using her special magic and magic boots, Callie is able to kill Amira.

The bears take Claire away to heal.  Cain reveals that the fight was televised to all Freaks, with the help of Dorian Gray’s technology.  Everyone knows that Amira is behind everything.

Callie gained some interesting allies through the battle; Haven and the vampires, the werebears and Cain.   Roland informs her that Jonathan was the mole.  Callie also finds out that her stalker is a Nephilim.