The Willing Prey

by Scarlett Sunday

  “Stop it, oh please stop it. You’re hurting me.”

  Tanaka’s voice followed? “It’s what I’m trying to do Miss McGregor. Your friend Tanis will be here soon if she has your message.”

  “You’re a cruel bastard, Tanaka!”

  Tanaka must have glanced up at a security screen. He continued. “Ah, here’s Tanis now. You’ll not see the dawn Miss McGregor if she’s not back here by midnight tonight. I’ll have to kill and butcher you for tomorrow’s evening’s meal with my friends. I’d have liked to hang you for three days to bleed your body and soften your meat. But, time presses. She’s to be the main course. If not, I’ll send her your head in a basket as my calling card. Your body will have to fit the bill. I promised my friends a feast, Miss McGregor. I can’t disappoint them. Though not perfect, you’ll have to do.”

  Tanis looked up. The mad bastard knows I’m here! At the far end of the narrow alleyway, a security camera pointed in her direction. Tanaka must have had Jean in his underground dojo while he was fucking her in his baths. Her face red with anger she turned towards Diana. “Start the car Diana; I’ll be with you in a moment.”

  Tanaka continued. “If Tanis comes at midnight, your suffering will be over. I’ll have both your prepared hearts tomorrow evening. Believe me, Miss McGregor, I’ll look forward to the meal.”

  Jean sobbed, “You cannibalistic cruel bastard Tanaka. I hate you.”

  Tanaka laughed. “Such big bad words from a tramp. My customers don’t know what they eat. My speciality is their favourite dish. Human flesh prepared and eaten raw Miss McGregor. Has the delicate texture of young succulent pork? Your bones, after I’ve extracted the marrow, I’ll throw into the lime pit beneath our feet. My toilet waste will go to feed my Bonsai collection to complete the natural cycle.”

  Before Tanis turned to go, she heard Jean’s pitiful scream again. “You’re a beast, Tanaka. I hope when Tanis finds out what you’ve done to me, she kills you. You saw her at the nightclub the other night. She’ll not be as easy to capture as I was. You wait and see you bastard. When she hears of my death, yours will follow in short order. How could I have been so foolish to walk into your trap?”

  “Because, Miss McGregor, you and Tanis like a young woman’s hands on your body. My women know what a woman wants from them. You say Tanis will kill me. I doubt that. There’s only one better with the sword than I, and he in his turn will die. When I’ve killed Tanis, I will begin a reign of terror in London, which will make Jack the Ripper look like a pansy. This time there won’t be any bodies to find, only pools of blood, where I've cut my victim’s throats. The police will never guess the Ripper to be a Japanese Samurai with a taste for human flesh.”

  “You are a filthy beast, Tanaka.”

  “With the help of my Yakuza, London will become my hunting ground. I go now to prepare for Tanis, for she will come. Before I go, a little present.” Jean screamed again. “If I should lose the duel, at least before I die. I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your beauty is gone for the rest of your miserable life. No one will want sex with an ugly tart. Take this!” Jean gave another scream. “Assuming you survive your injuries, of course, Miss McGregor.” He looked up at the screen and laughed.

  Tanis had heard enough. Her face grim, she turned to the car. At least Jean is safe for now. My stasis chamber will heal her wounds if she does not die before I can get her to Zana. “Come, Diana. Move over and let me drive.” On the way, she said. “I promised you would meet Tanaka Yamoto, tonight you will. Things have come to a head now, and I have to kill him.” Jean will be safe until we return.”

  “Why?”

  “He has Jean in the cellar, and he’s going to butcher her if I’m not back here by midnight. I thought she was in Paris with a client. The swine tortured her knowing I was listening with my ear to the small window above. He challenged me to a duel earlier, and this is his way of making sure I meet him, on his terms. I intend to kill him tonight. For what he’s done to Jean, Diana, he’ll pay double.”

  “I agree.”

  “Tonight, you’ll see the side of me you saw in your dreams. Don’t be afraid for me Diana, I know what I’m doing, and this is not the first duel I’ve fought. You’ll come with me, and you’ll look after Jean. When I’ve killed Tanaka, I want you to take Jean and wait for me in the car while I clean up. Is that understood?”

  “Yes. I’m not afraid for you Tanis. Not after what Welland and Kathy said you did at the club other night. Also, from what I’ve seen you do in my dreams.”

  “This time I’ll use my broadsword ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ and my short dagger. First, to instruct him in the use of the broadsword. Afterwards, the real meaning of torture as I skin him alive before cutting his throat.”

  Diana glanced at Tanis’s face. It was like thunder, her eyes cold and hard. She began to feel sorry for Tanaka. The fool knows not what he faces. She kept her silence until they had entered Zana. As they passed Amanda’s stasis chamber, she attempted to defuse Tanis’s anger. “I didn’t notice her before Tanis. Who is she?”

  “Someone you’ll make love to when we’re one. This is Jean’s chamber where Zana will heal her. She cannot leave it alive unless she becomes a host to my species. I’ve no choice now but to make Jean the host of our daughter to save her life. When you meet Jean after her body has healed Diana, you’ll find her attracted to you. She’ll co-operate when we come to transfer our daughter’s egg into her body.”

  “I understand Tanis.”

  Before starting back for Tanaka’s dojo. Tanis donned the light black scaled flexible armour she had worn at Jake’s ball. She handed Diana her broadsword ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ and her great silver-mounted spectacled helmet. “You’ll be my squire tonight Diana.”

  “I’ll be proud to Tanis. There’s no denying you’re the warrior woman of my dreams.”

  No sword on Earth could penetrate Tanis’s armour. If Tanaka wanted to kill her host, he would have to stab Freyja in her eyes through her visor or disarm her. If he did that, she would die. She doubted Tanaka could muster her level of skill. She felt better giving him a fighting chance; even if slight. “Diana, if things go wrong for me, I’ll try to kill Tanaka before I take your body. Say nothing. Promise me you’ll be ready to take me into your arms should the worst happen.”

  “I promise Tanis. Even so, what could go wrong?”

  “I’m not wearing my shields tonight. No questions please Diana, there’s no time.” They arrived back at the dojo around eleven. I’ll wear Tanaka down until he can no longer lift his sword, then execute him, as I had Thorfus. Without a doubt, Tanaka had skinned and boned many of his helpless victims alive, to see them suffer, the bastard. Tonight, I won’t have that luxury. She had expected the side door to be open and it was. She crept down the steps into the dojo, followed by Diana. Tanaka stood in the middle of the floor under bright lights. In the magnificent great armour of a Samurai General. She couldn’t help but admire his proud stance and lack of fear. He’s ready to kill or die.

  Tanaka’s eyes followed her as she entered. “I knew you would come, Tanis. It’s in a warrior’s blood to fight.”

  Tanis shrugged off his familiarity. “We were and are well met for the last time Tanaka Yamoto. This duel is to the death.”

  When Tanaka spoke, it was in a calm voice. “Indeed, we are Tanis. Tomorrow I’ve planned a dinner for a few special friends and myself. You and your friends will be on the menu. There’s enough meat on your bones to feed us for a month. I’m going to enjoy killing you Tanis, for I know you to be the Tanis of the legends and not Miss Napier you pretend to be. Miss Napier is dead. You sucked the life from her body. As I’ll suck the marrow from your bones after I’ve killed and prepared your body for my feast.”

  “To my regret, Helen’s body is dead Tanaka, but her mind is alive in me. There’s a difference between you and me, as you well know.”

  “No! You and I are the same, Tanis. We are both predators of humanity, my dear.”

 
Tanis knew at that moment. Tanaka had descended into madness. His only dream, to be a mighty predator like Darius and her. Being a Samurai General was not enough. Being a Shogun was not enough. Being an Emperor was not enough. I must stop him now, or London will suffer a horrific reign of terror before he dies of his disease. She said. “I know your other secret Tanaka Yamoto.”

  Jean looked up at Tanis and said. “What the fuck’s he talking about Tanis? I know he’s mad. Even so, what the fuck's the bastard saying?”

  Jean was bound to a training post in the corner of the hall. Naked. Blood seeped from two huge gashes in her face and many other deep cuts on her once beautiful body. Which had started to clot? She was safe for the moment.

  Tanis signalled to Diana to help Jean, then faced Tanaka. With luck, she’ll live. I must hurry and start the duel before Tanaka says too much. “Tanaka, if I’d known at the baths you had Jean as a prisoner, I would have killed you there. Tonight, you’re going to die for what you’ve done to her.” She turned to Diana. “Tanaka knows who I am and with such knowledge, he cannot live. What you see here tonight Diana might disgust you. Judge me afterwards. Hand me my helmet and ‘Dragon’s Tooth’.”

  Diana nodded, after which, she went over to Jean and untied her. With her arm around Jean’s waist, she took her to the far corner of the dojo and sat with her on a low spectator divan. She glanced up at Tanis. “I understand more than you think Tanis. Tanaka must die, not only to protect your identity but also for the cruel pig he is.”

  Tanaka grunted. “Oink, Oink.” He was playing with them.

  Jean looked at Diana in near delirium. “Who’s this woman Tanis?”

  “I’ll explain later Jean, for now, be quiet.”

  “Assuming you’re all alive later,” Tanaka hissed.

  “We will be. Watch now and be silent Jean, while I teach Tanaka a lesson in swordsmanship.”

  Tanaka had changed into the classical stance of his favourite Samurai kata. His sword in both hands pointing forward. “Come, Tanis, we waste time. Your friend has started to bleed, which can’t be until she’s hanging on my meat hook. Come alien thing. Come and hasten to your death on the sword of a Samurai General.”

  Without a word, Tanis drew Dragon’s Tooth from her scabbard between her shoulder blades. She felt sorry for Tanaka. In his delusion, he didn’t know what he faced and thought himself invincible. Before she engaged, she said. “Remember well Tanaka. The female of my species is far deadlier than the male. I’m millennia older than Darius, and I’ve fought countless duels to the death before. I’m still here, alive and well.”

  “Enough woman! Your age is of no interest to me except for your meat. Only your death matters now. Your arms and armour will take pride of place in my trophy room. After I have stripped them of your body and skinned you with the others.” The light of madness glowed in his eyes.

  “Nay. It will be your skin and armour, which will decorate my trophy room Tanaka.” The tension in the dojo mounted as the two gladiators circled each other. Both dressed in full fighting armour, both set to kill or die.

  Tanis’s eyes looked through the spectacled visor of her helmet at her opponent. Her broadsword, held in her two hands like his, she watched for her first opening. “There’ll be no quarter given or asked for Tanaka. Your evil ways must pay the price.” She waited for Tanaka’s first move. In the way he moved towards her, it was apparent Tanaka was a master of the feint. His first lightning lunge would take him past her, so he could turn and behead her with one stroke. She’d expected such from a swordsman of his calibre. The slight hesitation before striking. Was the sure sign of a skilled and dedicated opponent? Calculated to throw her timing off. Not caught out by it, her blade was there to meet his sword in a lighting bone-jarring parry. Continuing the stroke, she brought it around in a full cut to his abdomen. Almost disembowelling him.

  “You are a worthy opponent, Tanis. I expected to kill you with the first cut. You have a fine knowledge of my kata also. Next time I will be more careful.”

  Tanis didn’t answer. Let Tanaka wear himself out with talking. When my time comes, I’ll strike, and the duel will be over.

  Tanis smiled and continued to circle Tanaka, looking for an opportunity. The two spectators, speechless and pale. Watched in fascinated awe and admiration at the grace of Tanis’s movements. Nothing wasted. Every move was a set of calculated manoeuvres to bring her opponent closer to his death.

  As the duel unfolded, Diana was conscious, should Tanis lose. It would mean certain and horrible death for them all on Tanaka’s meat hooks. Tanis must kill him. She’d put her trust in Tanis’s ability to win and win she must. She moved her arm around Jean’s waist, to comfort her, and waited for the outcome. Ready to spring to Jean’s defence if needed. With one quick movement. Tanis leapt forward bringing her sword up and over Tanaka’s guard. Not quite catching him off balance. Dragon’s Tooth hummed her lethal song on her way to cleave Tanaka’s helmet. He ducked just in time, his helmet flying from his head towards her and Jean. As the opponents closed into a frenzy of thrust, parry, cut, and slash. She could see Tanis had the advantage of her superior strength. She knew, if Tanis could tire Tanaka out, she would win. The clash of high-grade steel on alien steel continued for some minutes. Carrying both combatants across the hall. Diana, her mouth open and dry, could do nothing but stare. At the adept fury of Tanis’s attack and admire Tanaka’s spirited defence. Tanis’s skill and balance were perfect, and she gave Tanaka no time in which to recover. Tanaka must know if he hesitates once, Tanis will kill him.

  Tanaka did. Tanis’s skill with the sword is far superior to that of Darius and Darius had beaten me with ease. She’s done this many a time before. She did warn me. He felt his weakness and was the first to break off the engagement, retiring to his corner. His chest heaved, and there was bloody foam on his lips. I’m done for. What a magnificent creature she is, a warrior Queen no less. In another time and place, I’d have been proud to fight by her side. Tanis had placed herself between Diana and Jean and waited with her sword held out in front of her, her eyes on him. With nowhere to go but forward. He moved towards her conserving his failing energy for a last quick flurry. He had planned to threaten the helpless women, but Tanis had seen it in his eyes and moved between them and him. Fit as Tanaka was, Tanis was much fitter and stronger. Tanaka had under-estimated his beautiful opponent, and now he was about to die for it. In his heart, Tanaka knew this was the end and like the Samurai he thought he was, he would accept Tanis’s judgement with courage.

  He had fucked Tanis as a woman in the baths, and Tanis had shown him she was a woman. Here in front of him, she had changed into something magnificent. Something from his worst nightmare. He was not a coward. To die in battle and to die with a brave heart is the mark of my calling. With one last mighty effort. He would try to prevail and rid himself forever of this Nemesis from another world. He rallied himself. Calling on the last of his failing strength and all his skill. He held his sword in front of him and prepared to advance for the last time in a gritty run on his determined opponent. His mouth opened in a battle cry. If I can get past her, a quick slash would behead the women and with a lightning turn. I can strike her head from her shoulders. His eyes locked on Tanis, he sprang forward with a confident shout. “Banzai!”

  At that moment, Tanis saw what Tanaka planned and let him past. She turned toward him as he made his move for Diana. Who had jumped to her feet in fighting stance to block Jean with her body? When Tanaka raised his sword to strike. Tanis brought hers down across the unprotected back of his knees in her favourite cut. I don’t want him dead yet. With a scream. Tanaka dropped his sword and slid the last few feet towards Diana on his knees. He came to rest about four feet from Diana with blood spurting from his terrible wounds. He turned in pain and faced Tanis. His head bowed in defeat. He waited with quiet bravado for the end.

  Just like Thorfus Blackbeard, thought Diana. She and Jean let out a sigh of relief. The duel was over. They watched Tan
is as she faced her defeated enemy and wondered what she would do.

  With the point of her sword, Tanis tilted Tanaka’s head up and in a low voice devoid of pity said. “Tanaka, you fought well for an Earth human. But, not well enough. I know all the Kata of the Samurai, and that was to my advantage. Without the Kata, I’d still have defeated you. Long ago, we two would have been friends. Because of your aberrance Tanaka. You would have been a great asset to me in a battle where berserkers are needed. Here and now though, I must kill you. While you live you present a threat to me, to mine, and to others like me who will join me soon.”

  “Hi! Tanis. You are by far better than Darius with the sword. I salute you. You are the Master and I the student.”

  “Today you are my enemy, and that’s unfortunate for you. Your Samurai honour didn’t extend to my friends. Any true Samurai would have defended the weak, not torture them. My best friend Jean was a defenceless woman Tanaka. A true Samurai doesn't contemplate serving women up on a dish for their friends to eat. After having first taken their sadistic pleasure from their unwilling bodies. Only a true predator may do that. If you had been genuine, you wouldn’t have broken your word to me and exposed me to my friends. For all those things, you will die. You have dishonoured the code of the warrior. While you live your presence offends me.”

  With helpless admiration in his eyes. Tanaka bowed his head and acknowledged her judgment with another whispered. “Hi!”

  “When we had our last meeting at the baths, I knew from your essence you were dying. I believe you knew it too and wished to die in battle as a Samurai warrior, not in bed as a helpless invalid.” Tanis had given Tanaka back his lost honour.