In this excerpt from Kelley Armstrong's "The Calling," the protagonist witnesses a dramatic transformation in Nicole, who shifts from her sweet and shy demeanor to one filled with fury. Her blazing eyes convey a sense of madness and obsession, evoking fear in the narrator. The narrator reflects on the unsettling changes in Nicole and questions whether she has been altered by external forces or if this intensity is her true self. This internal conflict prompts the narrator to instinctively step back, sensing danger.

The situation escalates as Nicole expresses her rage through a piercing scream, feigning terror. The chilling atmosphere reveals the tension of the moment, illustrating how unpredictable and volatile she has become. The narrator's observations highlight a struggle to grasp the extent of Nicole's transformation and the underlying implications of her behavior. This scene effectively captures the intersection of fear, manipulation, and the human psyche, leaving the narrator—and the reader—on edge.