Unchained

Unchained

## Original Cover

Unchained is the first novel in the Feathers and Fire series, featuring Callie Penrose.

## Blurb

**Meet Callie Penrose. Is she Heaven’s Devil, or Hell’s Angel?**

Callie is a middle-class, Midwest American girl. And a wizard in training. She works for Roland, a member of the Vatican Shepherds – an elite group of twelve warrior priests who travel the world smiting whatever offends them or their Good Lord.

One problem. Callie isn’t a huge fan of churches. Not even a minor fan, really.

She trains with Roland only to learn how to use those strange magical powers inside her. And because Roland had once saved her and her friend from monsters in a dark alley.

But when a Heavenly spear enters an auction in Kansas City and Roland is gravely wounded, Callie finds herself forced to step up as an interim Shepherd, and her first night on the job puts her in a bidding war against the infamous Nate Temple—the billionaire wizard from St. Louis. And when demons, shifter bears, vampires, and Nephilim attack the auction for the spear, Nate and Callie are forced to join teams, and one-time foes become hesitant allies.

Callie must learn where she stands as a wizard. Will she hide behind a man, or light Kansas City afire with a name of her own? And will she finally come to appreciate God? Or will the demons and monsters in the shadows take her for themselves?

Because Callie soon learns she isn’t *just* a wizard, and it was never just about the spear. Monsters have evidently been hunting Callie her entire life, and now, they’ve finally found her…

## Opening

*The rain pelted my hair, plastering loose strands of it to my forehead as I panted, eyes darting from tree to tree, terrified of each shifting branch, splash of water, and whistle of wind slipping through the nightscape around us. But… I was somewhat excited, too. Somewhat.*

*“Easy, girl. All will be well,” the big man creeping just ahead of me, murmured.*

*“You said we were going to get ice cream!” I hissed at him...*

## Plot

Callie, an apprentice of Roland, a Shepherd who hunts the supernatural, is accompanying him in her first hunt.  This time against werewolves.  Roland, unfortunately, is injured during the altercation.  They head to Abundant Angel Catholic Church to see Father David for help.  Apparently, the Vatican also had an altercation.  After discussing events with Father David, they head to a storage unit and discover what Roland is searching for is gone.

Callie calls for help and they head to her apartment where they meet her best friend, Claire.  Despite being a veterinarian, she can offer Roland some health care for his leg.  Exhausted, Callie falls asleep and goes into dreamland.  She dreams of her first encounter with Roland, when she discovered that she is a wizard.

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

Roland explains to Callie and Claire what he is seeking.  The Spear of Longinus.  Roland, against his better judgment, sends Callie to an auction where the Spear would be sold, in part.  Callie asks Claire to join her and they plan to meet at a favorite bar. While waiting for her, she meets Jonathan, who asks her out for lunch the next day.  She agrees!

Callie and Claire get to the auction and immediately see Nate Temple, not realizing who he is. She is intrigued because his actions are vastly different than most men.  After being mistaken for someone named Constance, she and Claire go into the auction.  Bidding begins and Callie, playing it cool, ends up in a bidding war against Nate.  Nate wins.

Chaos ensues at the auction after a man catches fire, Callie stakes Simon, the Master Vampire, and the battle continues against more vampires, werewolves, a Nephilim and a demon.  Unfortunately, the piece of the Spear is gone.

Callie and Claire get back to the apartment to check on Roland.  Nate follows them there where they all discuss the events at the auction.  Nate offers his help and leaves.  They discuss what is next and if they can trust Nate.

Callie takes a time out and goes jogging.  As she runs, she revisits her past and lands in the time she is left at the church for adoption.  Her life is anything but normal. She needs to move forward and gain confidence or she’ll fail.  Callie discovers that Father David was attacked.  She goes to visit him and finds out he had another visitor.  Who was it?

Callie runs into Nate, who tells her that the wolf thief from the auction is dead.  Apparently, he sold the piece of the Spear to the Vampires, so they make a deal to visit the vampires that night.   Callie goes to meet Jonathan and they hit it off, partially because he is a regular.  After lunch, she goes to visit her dad, Terry.  Who else do you see if you have questions about men in general?  Being her anchor, he helps her understand the importance of the “I” and she gains strength from her visit.

Callie meets Nate at the Ambassador Hotel where she finds him with Gunnar and Ashley.  He has gained intel from them as well as other sources. Callie is not happy about this.  She wants him as uninvolved as possible.   Nate has scoped the vampires’ hangout already, and Callie is upset she was doing personal things while he worked the case.  They go and discover it is a trap.  But, they still get a piece of the Spear.  Nate is not finished yet but leaves for now.

Callie goes to the bar where she runs into Jonathan, who acts mysterious.  Callie is sick of condescending males.  While there, Claire meets someone who she takes an instant liking to.  Before either of them can enjoy the evening, Nate breaks up the party.  They return to the apartment and realize that they are not safe there.  As they move the still-incapacitated Roland to a storage unit that Nate owns, they have an encounter with vampires.  Nate assures Callie that both Roland and her dad are safe.

After spending a night at her dad’s, Callie goes to the store where she runs into Jonathan.  Nate appears and he and Jonathan cross words.  Despite this, Callie leaves with Nate to check on her dad.  They discover that the demon left a “gift” for Callie’s dad in the yard. A piece of the Spear!  Callie tries to convince Nate of the importance of her standing strong in the community.

In order to pursue the third piece of the Spear, Callie goes to the bears where there is a fight.  They feel Callie has done them wrong; they only wanted to protect the Spear.  Callie and Nate realize they made a mistake.  Callie once again refuses Nate’s protection.

There is a fire at Terry’s neighbor and the wards are down.  Callie is abducted. She is put in chains where she sees that Terry, Roland and Claire’s new guy, Gabriel, were crucified.  Apparently, Gabriel is an angel!  Callie discovers that Jonathan is behind everything and is ridding her of all her so-called fathers.

With Callie’s magical feathers, she is able to heal herself, free herself from chains and kill Jonathan.  With Nate’s help and their clashing of magic, they were able to overtake the demon.  Callie discovers that both Terry and Roland are alive, that Death had switched them.

Nate and Callie share a gentle kiss.  Nate leaves so Callie can get some rest.