Call of the Witchling: Book One

By Dessa Goodlett

Avianna isn't your average thirteen-year-old. She's always been an outcast, and it got worse when her mom went missing two years ago. Her dad, Kallin, does his best to raise her, but after her latest terror, she suspects he's hiding something. What's even more is she discovers her two best friends, Lux and Nisha, aren't who they seem. Her world begins to fall apart when she discovers a centuries-old feud between the gods that she is stuck in the middle of. As she uncovers more about herself, the truth about her family comes to light. What will she do when she discovers her life may be the price that pays the debt her ancestors owed?

There are four books in this series:

Call of the Witchling

Breath of a Demon

Rise of a Siren

Fall of a Lineage

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662471513

Book preview

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Call of the Witchling

Book One

Dessa Goodlett

Copyright © 2021 Dessa Goodlett

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2021

ISBN 978-1-6624-7150-6 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-7151-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Darkness

Shadow-Man

Silence

Abberation

Blackout

Secrecy

Gloom

Ambiguity

Demon

Uncertainty

Obscurity

Tenebrosity

Shade

Calignosity

Crepiscule

Opacity

Crepuscular

Overcast

Infernal

Culmination

Denouement

This book is dedicated to Aubry. Remember that in times of uncertainty, it is okay to feed both wolves.

This book was heavily influenced by my baby sister, Lyssa Harris. Without you, I would never have finished writing.

To my husband, Wesley, you are the light to my darkness, and I love you. You pushed me to keep going. Thank you.

Chapter 1

Darkness

The hallway was dark as I looked out of my bedroom door. It was 3:15 am, the witching hour, the superstition Grandma used to tell me when she was trying to explain why I always got nightmares around this time. Even though I don’t believe in silly superstitions, remembering the stories Grandma told me with such validity always eases my mind and reminds me of a simpler time before Grandma died. I tried to push those thoughts away and exited the bedroom door down the hallway, toward the stairs.

It thought about how silly it was to worry about the dark, but I couldn’t help it. The early Saturday moon cast such dull shadows through the arch at the end of the hallway, causing my mind to wonder. It’s a nervous habit. Every time I get scared, my mind automatically goes to the worst place. There were so many shadows that reminded me of different monsters that could be lurking in wait. Stop it, I scolded myself, interrupting my inner ramblings. Thirteen-year-olds aren’t afraid of the dark. I paused, took a deep breath, and continued silently down the hall. Dad was sleeping, and I was trying not to wake him.

A creaking noise caught my attention, and I realized I had been lost in thought. I stopped moving and looked around. After a moment’s pause, a shadow darted at me, sending adrenaline pumping through my body. I stood there frozen in fear, but once the adrenaline hit, my fight-or-flight kicked in, and I looked around, ready to run. The problem was I was in the center of the hallway. Where exactly could I run? What was it, and more importantly, who was it?

The silence continued for what seemed like hours, and I debated running back to my room. I knew it was only seconds, but they ticked by so slowly. I turned to run and then I heard a low purrrrr. I let out a sigh that was somewhere between relieved and frustrated. Dammit, Amenti, you scared me. Shame on you, I said, picking up the all-black cat. You scared me, I said, scolding her as I stroked her fur. She nuzzled up to me and continued purring as I continued down the hall.

I headed down the stairs and stopped at the landing. I looked to her right into the living room and stopped for a moment, remembering the day Mom had redecorated it. The blackout curtains Mom had picked were drawn so tightly it was as if they were trying to block out the light forever. I reached for the switch on the wall and cautiously turned on the light. I felt foolish, but honestly, I would rather be safe than sorry.

The overhead chandelier illuminated the beige sofa and love seat, as well as the glass coffee table. Avianna, again, really? It’s nighttime, it’s supposed to be dark. Just breathe. I shook my head and internally scolded myself. I flipped off the switch, took a deep breath, and headed in the other direction back toward the kitchen. I walked in the kitchen, flipped the switch, and looked around.

The baby-blue walls were freshly painted, thanks to boredom and insomnia. The cabinets were a beautiful off-white color with baby-blue diamond-shaped knobs. The counters were the newest addition, a beautiful shade of dark black marble. I chuckled to myself, remembering how much Mom and I were alike when it came to decorating. Of course, I finished the kitchen alone, but we started it together. It kind of sucks feeling so alone, Amenti, but at least I have you, I said.

Fatigue was really starting to get the best of me, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t avoid the night terrors. They were getting worse, especially since Grandma passed away, but I knew I had to sleep. It was either that or the exhaustion would take over. I headed to the tall black fridge and stared at the pictures covering the doors. I stared at the picture magnet on the front of the fridge.

I had my bright-red hair pulled up in a bun, and my mother’s beautiful smile was framed next to mine. Mom’s dark-green eyes matched mine. Dad always said I was her twin. Looking at the picture, it was clear why. I felt tears begin to well up in my eyes, and I tried wiping them away, but they just kept falling. The more they fell, the heavier the pain in my chest was. It was like an empty void of loneliness and pain.

It’s only been two years since Mom disappeared. She always went out of town for work. I didn’t know what she did for work, just that she left for work. I always got excited when she called and said she was coming home, but this time, she never came back. Sure, people looked—private investigators, police, and even search parties—but no one ever found her. I wiped my tears on my pajama shirt, staining it with yesterday’s makeup that I forgot to remove.

I took a deep breath as if it was going to banish such thoughts and opened the fridge door. I rummaged through it until I found the milk. Meow, meow, Amenti shrieked. Do you want some milk, Amenti? I asked, bending over to pet her. I’ll tell you what. You stop scaring me, and I’ll give you a bowl. Deal? Amenti purred as if she agreed.

I poured Amenti a bowl and myself a cup and slowly drank it. Milk always helped when I couldn’t sleep. It filled me up and calmed me down. I sipped my milk and tried to replay my nightmare in my head. Unfortunately, just like all the other times, I couldn’t remember anything but the darkness and the creepy voice that came with it. I sighed and looked down at Amenti and bent down to retrieve the now-empty bowl from the floor.

I ran a hand down Amenti’s smooth fur and turned to walk the bowl to the sink, with my empty glass in hand as well. I set the dishes in the sink and turned to walk back toward the stairs, but a sharp pain in my side caught my attention. I frantically pulled my shirt up to inspect the cause of the pain and gasped in horror when I saw that a mark was forming on my hip, a mark that resembled three claw marks. It began to burn, slowly at first, but growing into something fiercer like a fire gone wild.

The pain was becoming more and more intense until it was all I could feel. I tried to focus, but the pain forced me to my knees and slowly onto my side. Make it stop, I begged, screaming and crying, not to anyone in particular.

Avi! I could hear my father’s voice, and hear footsteps running downstairs. The world around me began to fade away until there was nothing but darkness. Amenti hissed as my father, Kallin, came running in the room.

Avianna, he yelled. Avianna, can you hear me? My senses diminished until they were all but gone. I could feel the darkness beginning to engulf me, blocking out the light. I heard a noise, a familiar but faint whisper, beginning to echo as the shadows closed in, sending fear reverberating through my body. It was getting louder and louder until a familiar voice proclaimed, Welcome back, Avi. Did you miss me?

Chapter 2

Shadow-Man

No, I did not miss you, I stated. And stop calling me Avi. We aren’t friends. You’re a nuisance. I rolled my eyes and tried my best to portray the annoyance he inflicted in me.

Aww, and here I thought you were starting to like me, the voice stated, almost upset. Come on, we’re more like family than anything, aren’t we? I’ve known you so long, and I feel sort of responsible for you, it said sarcastically.

Points for creepiness, but the only thing you are responsible for is sleep deprivation, and lots and lots of insomnia, I answered back instantly, my voice dripping with enough sarcasm to match the voice’s.

He pointedly ignored me and instead asked, Would you like to play a game?

I huffed in response. Is it another pointless one? Games aren’t really your strong suit, I responded, full of irritation.

The voice responded as dramatically as ever, Why do you hate me? Here I am, trying to be a good friend, and you reject me with such animosity. I’m offended. My heart breaks.

I laughed. It was clearly a forced one, but a laugh nonetheless. I didn’t know you had a heart. Most narcissists don’t.

I waited for a response, and when none came, I debated asking if the voice was still there. My annoyance with the voice was nothing compared to the fear the darkness around me caused. I could still feel its presence and could feel its eyes on me, sending shivers up my spine. I felt a tingle down my back, like someone ran a finger down my spine. I spun around in fear, and the voice laughed. It was a harsh laugh, like a predator stalking its prey.

As the minutes ticked away, one by one, I became more and more terrified. I didn’t know what he wanted, but I know that he terrified me. I had turned down his stupid game many times, but maybe that’s why he kept bothering me. I also was curious why I couldn’t remember these stupid dreams when I woke up, but that was for another day. Maybe if I play his game, I could finally get some answers about who the voice is and why it’s so keen on tormenting me.

Fine, I’ll play a game, but I have three questions first, I stated, breaking the silence. I hate silence as much as the dark, and honestly, I couldn’t bear it any longer.

Although you are in no position to make demands, seeing as you are stuck in my world, I suppose I will play the good host, the voice stated. However, you may only request one thing, not three.

I mulled over this for a minute and decided to agree, seeing as I also didn’t have a choice. I was getting nowhere denying him, and he had asked so many times. Maybe giving in was how I could beat him, if I could even beat him. Anything to make this nightmare end and give me some peace of mind. Deciding to compromise, I asked, My condition is more of a request. Will you tell me your name?

The voice responded without a pause. Interesting, and why would you want to know that? it asked.

I don’t actually know your name, and I feel like what I call you makes me look like an asshole, I said hesitantly.

Well, I won’t push that further. I am sure any name you gave me would pale in comparison to mine. You may call me Sollux, he said.

The name dripped off his tongue like venom from a snake. That name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. You may request one more thing, Sollux asked, breaking my train of thought.

Tell me who you are and why you torment me, I stated with so much confidence that it seemed Sollux was impressed.

I do not torment you, child. I watch you, I help you, Sollux said. A sinking feeling, like a mix between doom and fear, welled in my stomach.

I took a deep breath and gulped down the lump that had formed in my throat. I was starting to get a bad feeling about this. If you help me, then why can I not ask my three questions? I questioned, trying to sound more assertive than I felt. Silence filled the darkness once more. It seemed as if Sollux was waiting for me to continue, but I didn’t speak, unsure of what to say. Eventually, Sollux was the one who broke the silence.

I will tell you a story, and you may ask me three questions at any time. However, you can only ask once, and if you interrupt me, I will not answer. Do you understand these rules, Avi? he asked.

Yes, I replied with a mix of fear and intrigue, not wanting to upset him by reminding him my name was not Avi. It seemed as though he wasn’t willing to give up on it.

I knew your mother when she was younger, Sollux stated, catching me off guard. He paused as if waiting for me to interrupt, and when I didn’t, he continued. We used to play here when she was little. She was scared at first as well but eventually grew quite fond of our meetings, he continued. I had remained silent thus far, but this time, it was out of shock. Unable to think of what to say, I just stood there staring into the darkness. "She wanted to see me as well, and I will admit her curiosity intrigued me.

I am centuries old, and I have inhabited many worlds and many lifetimes, experiencing all manner of beings like you, Sollux said, pausing for the question he could sense coming.

You said you used to play here. How do you play in the dark? I inquired. While waiting for an answer,