Night Reckoning: Night Breed Saga Book 3

By Kerry Evans

As old enemies and new enemies make their plans to destroy our hero, Jaryd, with old friends, and new friends alike, rush hellbent toward the final showdown. Both sides preparing for more than just a fight, but a reckoning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kerry Evans
• Release date: Sep 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005232702

Kerry Evans

Kerry was born in a small town in British Columbia, Canada. At a young age his imagination more often than not got him into trouble. Growing up in the city he learned a lot about what he wanted to write, and eventually he went on to write several fiction stories that never saw publication until a vivid dream started him on the path to writing his first complete novel. Now, living with His wife and two boys in Regina, Saskatchewan, Kerry fills his days, filling pages with stories of fantasy and adventure.

Book preview

Ugh!

My back hit the reinforced wall, hard; the foot of high-density foam rubber compressing to the point it was nearly as unforgiving as the concrete behind it. Thankfully, it was softer than the steel behind that, the second or two of pain was still there as I hit the floor and fell to my knees. I winced slightly as my ribs reformed quickly, crunching like gravel behind my flesh as they returned to their original shape and position.

I looked down at my chest, watching a bruise the size of my girlfriend’s hand form almost dead center in my chest, and then just as quickly it faded away, leaving no trace it had been there in the first place.

I looked up at Tatyanna; she was standing about twenty five feet away, with her hair tied back in a fierce ponytail, dressed in form fitting, black leggings and a matching tank top. She looked deceptively relaxed and a little amused as she extended her arm and beckoned to me to try again.

Behind her was Paulo, in his full golem form, prepared for the physical onslaught that was due to come next.

She’d hit me from ten feet away, using her telekinesis as an extension of her body. I called it her ‘go-go gadget’ punch; and she had used it to break bones on more than one occasion. I still hadn’t perfected mine, it was more like a sort of ‘go-go gadget’ rambunctious puppy; since it never seemed to go in any direction except the way it wanted to go, nor did it ever inflict the harm I wanted it to.

I got to my feet and tilted my neck to the side at an extreme angle to pop the joints. I was wearing only a pair of grey track pants, and my upper body was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. I paced back and forth as I tried to look distracted and nonchalant.

Without warning I whirled my hands in front of me and unleashed a telekinetic blast designed to make her implant into the wall just as she had done to me a few moments before.

Tatyanna grinned as she deflected my own telekinetic blast with a wave of her hand, Try again, Pup.

I swung my fist out abruptly, sending another telekinetic ‘punch’ her way. I growled and stomped my foot when she swatted it away like a balloon, Damn it!

Tatyanna smiled at me, Want me to try again?

I took a deep breath, Okay, hit me.

I raised my hands, trying to create a protective barrier with my telekinesis, but the wave she hit me with knocked me back into the wall.

I hit the floor on my knees, Damn it!

Tatyanna giggled, Becoming your only vocabulary?

I snorted, Seems to be the only thing I can say most of the time when we do this.

We had been practicing for weeks and I still couldn’t deflect the way she could, she claimed it was due to the age difference, her being almost two hundred years older made her telekinesis too strong for me to block.

I took up a defensive stance again, Okay, again.

Tatyanna nodded, "Okay, focus on your barrier, as soon as you feel the energy touch your shield try to push it in a different direction instead of stopping it outright."

I popped my knuckles and stood tall again, rolling my shoulders as I tried holding a sort of telekinetic bubble around me, and then I took a few deep breaths and then nodded, indicating I was ready.

This time she hit me from behind and sent me flying toward her, at the last second she stepped out of the way and let me collide with the Iron Golem. There was significantly less give to him than there was to the padding on the wall, and I felt my shoulder dislocate before I slid down to the floor.

I landed on my knees and then fell backwards to sprawl out on my back.

I lay still for several seconds as I tried to force my lungs to accept the unneeded air before I managed to wheeze, Ohhh, that hurt.

Tatyanna giggled as she said, Are you alright, Baby?

I climbed to my feet as my shoulder popped back into its socket; I nodded and said, Yeah, I just don’t know how I am so bad at this.

Tatyanna shook her head, You’re still learning, it took me decades, as well as five sensei to master fighting.

I shrugged, trying not to feel too defeated, I guess you’re right.

Tatyanna and I had been at it for an hour already this morning and my mental abilities were waning, so my thoughts warned her to prepare to switch to a more hands on style.

I grinned and flashed toward her at top speed, preparing to tackle her to the floor, but couldn’t stop myself when, in less time than it would take to blink she whirled and caught my arms. She spun and flipped me over her hip and I landed on my back on the floor with her straddling my lap.

My girlfriend grinned at me, You’re getting sloppy, Baby.

I grinned back, I don’t know, considering my view I’d say I won this round.

Tatyanna giggled as she leaned down and pressed her lips to mine, We both win.

I heard Paulo clear his throat, he had taken a moment and turned back to his human form and he said, You’re getting better, my Lord. However, your mate is still significantly superior with her abilities.

I nodded as Tatyanna rolled off of me, I sat up as I groaned, Tell me something I don’t know.

I climbed to my feet, slowly, possibly stalling to slow down the inevitable, Alright big guy, I guess it’s your turn now?

Paulo nodded and seemed to ignore my sarcastic bite as he took his stance in the center of the room; Paulo told me the home and land had belonged to a man back in the late 40’s during the cold war that had built the massive underground bunker to protect him and his family from any attacks that might come at Fort Bragg.

Later another person had owned it in the 80’s who had tried to make it look more like a full-fledged Gold’s Gym, he had covered the thick, steel walls with concrete and put exercise machines everywhere. The couple we bought the house from never really did much with the basement gym/bunker so when we took it over it was full of old and probably danger to a normal person, gym equipment.

Paulo had renovated it slightly and put foam on the wall after Tatyanna had put him into the wall in Golem form hard enough that he crumbled the concrete. I had never seen the big guy look more like a proud papa than when he pulled himself up and reverted to his human form to look at the damage that she had caused with his enormous Golem body. So now it was a vast open area with a couple of inches of matting on the floor and a foot of rubber on the walls to protect the outer walls, at the same time I was sure the neighbors wondered when North Carolina started having earthquakes.

I stepped onto the cushioned mat in the center of the room and looked at Paulo, he was still wearing a suit, he always seemed to be wearing a suit, though he had taken off the jacket, or melted it away into his body I wasn’t really sure how his clothes worked, and he had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows, showing off massive forearms. Either way few sights on Earth were quite as intimidating as the Mediterranean looking behemoth standing in front of me.

I had a definite advantage over him in that I was a hundred times faster than him with my Vampire speed but the trick in this form was to take, or even counter some of the punishment he was capable of dishing out. I stepped closer to the center of the mat and put my hands up in a defensive posture.

I bounced back and forth from foot to foot as he took up a fighting stance, beckoning me to attack. I grinned and rushed forward at barely more than human speed.

He hadn’t ignored the sarcastic bite as half a second later I hit the wall hard enough to crack the concrete…

2

I looked up from the book I was reading on my phone, I heard the footsteps coming up the drive and I groaned; only two people came up the drive unannounced. Already I could hear the excited thoughts mixed with the flip-flops and inane chatter, God no. I mumbled softly.

Once again, I considered changing the gate code, but Tatyanna had told me when I wanted to do it the first time, to be neighborly.

The incredibly sexy Vampire in question was lying on a chaise beside me; she was wearing a black two-piece bikini as we both lounged beside the pool. I was trying to give my battered muscles a rest, after having spent the better part of the morning training in combat with Paulo and having taken a severe beating from him for my trouble.

She was laying there soaking up the sun, with one arm resting behind her head, while her free hand was toying with one of the strings on her bikini bottoms. The couple of times I had tried to exercise my telekinesis by untying the flimsy strings at her hips she had stopped me without even trying and was now teasing me with threats of doing it herself, bodily.

The footsteps and excited chatter got closer.

She looked over at me, "I guess if you really want, I could compel them to stay away from us."

I rested my head on the back of the chaise I was reclining on and said, I really should let you, after the scene on the fourth of July I’m surprised they even show their faces.

Tatyanna smirked, They were so drunk they’re not sure if it even really happened.

I grimaced, "I know that it is any guys dream to see their girlfriend get kissed by another woman, but a forty-something married woman was not what was on my bucket list."

Tatyanna laughed slightly just before they hit the gate to the back yard, Hey Neighbor! Thomas Kincaid called out as they opened the gate and let themselves in.

I lolled my head in their direction, immediately regretting it as I was nearly blinded by my neighbor’s extremely loud swim shorts and Hawaiian shirt, Hey Tom. I called out.

At least his wife attempted some semblance of normalcy in a powder blue one piece; her husband clearly had no sense of style at all.

They even have towels with them.

Tatyanna’s thoughts floated back, Would it be less presumptuous to expect us to lend them ours?

I grimaced, I guess you’re right.

Tatyanna answered my silent communication with a laugh that echoed around in my head.

I swear, I think you’ve compelled them to come over more often.

Tatyanna smirked and then rolled her head to the side and opened her mouth slightly, pretending to be asleep.

I looked up and caught both staring at my mate’s chest as it rose and fell rhythmically while she pretended to doze.

I growled softly under my breath, Stop, looking!

My growl was only audible to someone with superhuman hearing, and I hadn’t intended to use such strong compulsion but immediately Thomas stumbled awkwardly and nearly hit his knees; he came up with a nose bleed from the mental onslaught I hit him with.

Oh my goodness Thomas, your nose is bleeding! Louise cried out.

Thomas immediately brought his fingers up to his nose and winced when they came back dripping blood.

Are you okay? Did you trip? I called out, internally kicking myself, but refused to move from my chair.

You should go home and take care of that… I sent a little more, slightly less aggressive compulsion their way.

Thomas stuttered for a moment and then his eyes glassed over, I think we should go home and take care of this.

Louise looked skeptical for a moment, and then conceded, I’m sorry we dropped by unannounced, maybe we can do supper later.

I nodded as I stared at them both over my sunglasses, I don’t think we’re around tonight, but sometime would work.

Louise nodded as I gave them another mental shove and sent them on their way.

Once I heard the driveway gate close I groaned, I want to be a good neighbor, but it’s so hard when I know what everyone's thinking.

Tatyanna rolled her head my way and peeked an eye over her own sunglasses, So shut it off.

I grinned, "At the same time I like to know what everyone's thinking."

Tatyanna smiled and closed her eyes behind her sunglasses, wiggling into a better position. She picked up my thoughts and desires as I watched her body move. She rewarded me with a grin and another attempt to get a more comfortable position, before she decided the most comfortable place to be was in my chaise with me.

I grinned as she casually climbed off her chaise and came to lay down on mine alongside me, snuggling her body up to mine and draping her leg over both of mine.

You know this is going to give us a weird tan, right?

She snorted softly, "You know we don’t actually tan, right?"

I raised an eyebrow, But, you sent me pictures from Myrtle Beach of you with a tan.

Tatyanna sat up and locked eyes on me, With all the shape-shifting you can do you didn’t figure that out?

I groaned, Oh crap, I’m such an idiot.

Tatyanna grinned and put her head back on my chest, I’m amazed it took you this long to realize it.

I tilted my head to the side, To realize that I’m an idiot?

Tatyanna giggled softly, No, to realize that we regenerate too fast to actually get a tan.

I chuckled, You’ve been a vampire for almost two hundred years, I’ve been one for less than a year, and therefore I’m allowed to still think like a mortal.

I felt her smile as she snuggled closer to me, You’re allowed to think any way you like, Baby.

I smiled and kissed her head softly, leaving my nose buried in her thick hair as I said, I love you, Tatyanna.

I felt her cheek against my chest as her smile grew even bigger, I love you more.

I shook my head, Nope, I love you the most, I win, I quit.

Tatyanna sighed and trailed one of her perfectly manicured fingernails over my abdomen as she said, That’s not playing fair.

I grinned and planted another kiss on top of her head, I have to cheat as often as possible to level the playing field with you, Lover.

Tatyanna laughed, Good luck, Buddy. You will need all the help you can get cheating to keep up with me.

I grinned as my phone vibrated on the table beside us, I believe that. I said as I reached over and plucked it off the glass table top and brought the display to life.

A message from Trina stared back at me, Hey honey, We just landed in Chicago so I wanted to check in and see how things are.

I hit reply, Hey Mom, things are great. How is Jason adjusting?

Her reply came quick, Really well, except he wants to jump off the Willis Tower, I told him if he survived it would hurt like a bitch.

I laughed out loud, Well, you married him.

It had barely been a week after I ascended Trina that she crossed and ascended Jason. For the first few days after that happened it was pretty crowded in my head, but I learned with a bit of practice that I could turn it off almost completely. I could still tell where they were anywhere in the world, but I didn’t get bombarded by their random thoughts. But Jason had taken to the change with a surprising amount of enthusiasm, eating things he never would have tried before. As well as some hair brained stunts that would get a normal person killed.

I swore Trina was going to have grey hair by the time Jason had been crossed for a month, but he was slowing down as time went by. Still they had been traveling constantly since he crossed, neither one of them seemed overly concerned that my uncle was still out there on the loose preparing to do god knows what to me and my loved ones.

Tatyanna ran her lips over my chest, planting little kisses on my skin and effectively making me forget everything else in the world, except for her. After a few seconds of being tortured by her fiery lips on my skin I pulled her up and crashed my lips to hers.

She returned my kiss with passion and snaked her way around and climbed onto my lap where she tortured me longer.

After what seemed like an eternity she climbed off my lap, leaving me in a state of tension that was painfully obvious. With a twinkle in her eye Tatyanna extended her hand and waited for me to take it, and after a few deep breaths to calm my out of control hormones I did just that. She smiled as she helped me out of the chaise and led me into the house.

I followed Tatyanna’s swaying hips and thong-clad behind through the kitchen; every now and then she would glance over her shoulder and grin at me devilishly. I grinned back as I followed her through the foyer and up the stairs.

She opened the door to our room and led me in, letting me close it behind us. I knew Paulo and Yvette were somewhere downstairs, I assumed the office since Paulo seemed to spend all of his spare time there, when he wasn’t beating me into one big bruise.

She attacked fast, faster than me now that she had ascended and her age had given her an edge over me. One second she was walking away from me and the next she was slamming me back first, into the closed door.

Her tongue searched my mouth before engaging mine in battle as my passion rose to match hers, her arms wound under my armpits and her fingers raked into my hair. I felt, more than heard, her growl into my mouth as I lifted her off the floor. Her legs immediately went around my waist and pulled my body against hers tightly.

I need you, Jaryd. She whispered hoarsely.

I was only too happy to oblige her as I carried her to the sofa that faced the television in my bedroom, and with a twist of her upper body she spun us and I fell onto the sofa with her straddling my lap again.

Her fingers expertly undid the ties of my swimming trunks and I felt them slide off my legs a moment later. Her hands rose up and pulled her bikini off without even bothering to undo it.

Her grin was devilish as she brought her lips to my throat, planting hungry kisses alternating with playful licks as she proceeded down to my shoulders, and then working her way down my body.

My eyes rolled back in my head.

3

We were still in bed when my phone began to ring, I hit the button when I saw Christopher’s name on the display, Hey Bro, what’s happening?

Christopher’s voice came over the other end of the line, Hey Bro, I’m almost at your place, want to buzz me in?

Tatyanna flashed out of the bed, excited, and began to get dressed.

I followed suit, You got it man, opening now.

I flew into a pair of jeans, not bothering with a shirt and then raced down and hit the intercom that opens the gate. I could hear his big diesel engine making its way down the street and I looked out the window so I could hit the button when he was in the drive.

Christopher was in the driver’s seat with his new girlfriend Misty in the passenger’s side, I grinned, the two of them had been dating since Senior Prom and made a cute couple.

I walked out and met them as he put his truck into park, Misty’s eyes bugged out when she saw me but I paid her no mind.

Hey Bro. I said as I clasped hands with my friend, How goes? Did you bring your suits?

Christopher shook his head solemnly and his thoughts immediately caught my attention.

You’re going to Scotland. I said.

Christopher nodded, Yeah, with everything that is going on with Bryson, and your Uncle, I thought it best if I take off and let my folks know what is going on.

I looked over his shoulder at the petite blonde, And to introduce them to Misty.

She looked at her shoes, timidly and he chuckled, Yeah that thought had crossed my mind too.

I grinned and nodded, Your folks will love her, are you guys able to stay for dinner at least?

Christopher pondered that for a moment, Well, our flight doesn’t leave until first thing tomorrow morning, He looked over his shoulder at Misty, What do you think? Want to stay and have dinner with them?

Misty’s eyes drifted toward the pavement again when I caught her staring at my stomach, but then she nodded, Sure.

I grinned and planted a subtle suggestion in her mind that Christopher’s abs were way sexier than mine, and by the time we made it into the house she was drooling over him appreciatively again.

Nice work, Lover. Tatyanna’s thoughts drifted down from upstairs.

I learned subtlety and cunning from the best. I whispered back in her mind.

I could hear the amusement, But don’t forget who the master is.

I grinned behind our guests, I wouldn’t dream of it.

Tatyanna hit the stairs and smiled, Chris! Misty! I’m so glad you’re staying for supper.

Misty’s eyes bugged out again when she looked at my stunning mate, her thoughts trailing up and down Tatyanna’s exquisite form.

Her thoughts changed again with a little push from Tatyanna, Thanks, I hope we aren’t imposing.

Misty was newly changed, just like Christopher, though she seemed a few Generations older than he, her eyes were a tiny bit darker than his were. Despite the fact that she was still learning the Vampire ropes but was probably more knowledgeable than me.

I shook my head, Not imposing at all, we’re always glad to have the company.

I led the two of them inside, Hey did you guys want to see a movie?

Chris shook his head, "I don’t know if we have time to hit dinner and a theater, Bro."

I shook my head, Bro, you know I got a theater here.

Christopher’s eyes lit up, Oh shit yeah, did Paulo get things arranged?

I nodded, He sure did, I get any movie I want to see sent to us digitally.

Christ shook his head, Man, I wish my family was half as rich as you.

I shook my head, I still don’t know what I’m doing with it all, but Paulo helps me take care of it.

Christopher nodded, If you need some help spending some of that loot you know who to call.

I laughed, Anytime Bro.

My cell phone vibrated and I brought it to life to see a text from Paulo, Yvette informed me that we have company for supper, arrangements are already made.

I grinned as I hit reply, Thanks big guy.

Christopher looked around, Hey Bro, ya wanna show me your gym?

I shrugged, Nothing to it now except some mats.

Christopher shrugged, I know, I’d still like to see it.

Tatyanna took Misty by the hand, Let’s let the boys go see the toys, we’re going to the pool.

Misty blushed, I don’t have a suit.

Tatyanna looked at her, Hm, I don’t think any of my suits will fit you, but we can figure something out.

She wasn’t lying, at almost five-eleven Tatyanna was seven or eight inches taller than Misty and built like an Amazonian Warrior compared to the petite frame on Christopher’s girlfriend. But the tiny girl let herself be led toward the pool.

I turned and pointed Christopher toward the stairs to the basement, I followed him down and suddenly I knew why he wanted to talk.

I’ll try my best not to kill him Bro, but I can’t guarantee Bryson will leave me much choice. I said as we got to the bottom of the stairs.

Ahead of me Christopher ran his fingers through his hair, I know Bro, and considering all he's done to you it’s not fair for me to ask you to hold back.

He looked around the massive room and whistled, Jeez, who made those?

I could tell he was focused on the dents in the wall and I said, My back mostly, between Tatt’s and Paulo I get the shit beat out of me regular.

Christopher laughed, You’d tear me apart, if it makes you feel better.

I chuckled, How’s Tim doin?

Christopher shrugged, He is doing a lot of camping with his folks but he should be home by Friday.

I nodded, Cool, I’ll need the company while you're gone.

Christopher nodded, Have you talked to him?

I nodded, A little bit, he texts me like every few days, I must be his man crush.

Christopher laughed, He texts me too, you’d think he would want to enjoy nature, but he says he misses his ‘Bros’ too much.

I shook my head, Man, when I went camping with Tatyanna and her folks, the last thing I thought about was coming home.

Christopher laughed, I’m sure that had nothing to do with seeing her in a bikini all the time.

I grinned, Not gonna lie that had a lot to do with it.

Christopher nodded, but then he got serious, I know Bryson deserves to die dude, I just don’t know what to do; it’d kill my parents.

I leaned up against the wall and folded my arms over my chest, I’ll do what I can to make sure he doesn’t die, but you know where he is going if he is stopped alive.

Christopher nodded as he paced back and forth, I know; my parents think maybe he can be rehabilitated.

I shrugged, Maybe he can, just needs more hugs.

Christopher laughed, Yeah, maybe that’s it.

I nodded, I’m smart ya know, S-M-R-T.

Christopher laughed, Alright man alright, what do we wanna watch?

I grinned, I’ve been dying to see the new Avengers.

Christopher grinned, Hell yeah.

I clapped my friend on the back as we began to make our way up the stairs, I could already tell that Tatyanna had talked Misty into the pool in her underwear and the pair of them were laying out in the sun.

I led Christopher through the hall to the kitchen and then out to the back yard, he stopped when he saw Misty laying in the chaise with one leg up and a borrowed pair of Tatyanna’s sunglasses. I recognized them as the Ray Ban aviator style she had worn when we went for our first lunch.

My girlfriend on the other hand was lying back with a tiny smile on her face, a pair of Wayfarers blocking her eyes from view, however through our mental link I could tell she was watching Christopher's reaction as he stared at his petite girlfriend.

She turned her focus to me and it was mildly disorienting seeing our focus mirrored back and forth through each other’s eyes.

I walked slowly toward her, taking in every inch of her as she did the same to me, Christopher and Misty both looked her way when she purred as I got closer to her. I caught Misty making an effort to look in any other direction as Christopher fumbled with his jeans trying to strip down to