The Willing Prey

by Scarlett Sunday

  “Hi Tanis, I thank you for it.”

  “If you’d beaten me. You would have unleashed a reign of terror on the populace of this city in your frustrated anger. You’re a snake Tanaka who needs killing and, so it must be. I sentence you to execution in the name of justice and for what you have done to innocence and the warrior code. I’ll not cut your throat from behind, or skin you alive hanging from a hook in your kitchen, as I should. I’ll grace your death with honour and the final dignity of Samurai custom.”

  “Hi! I thank you again, Tanis, for an honourable death.” Tanaka bowed his head to take the cut.

  Before Diana and Jean realised what Tanis was about to do. One cut with Dragon’s Tooth removed Tanaka’s head from his shoulders. The horror of the situation made a surprised Jean retch and faint. Her face white, Diana took Jean into her arms and looked up at her ruthless lover. She had seen what Tanis could do in dreams. When she dispensed justice, her law was supreme. She said, “I hadn’t expected Tanaka’s end to be so brutal Tanis.”

  “It was simple justice Diana. You must get used to it. Tanaka wanted to die with dignity. He was dying anyway. Come, it’s over. Take Jean to the car and wait for me there. I’ll be along in a moment... Come! Do as I say!”

  Tanis sheathed ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ and picked Tanaka’s body up in her arms as though it were a child’s. She took it into the small kitchen at the rear of the dojo where Tanaka butchered his victims. After tying his ankles, Tanis hung him on a meat hook over a gutter to drain. Then drew her small dagger from her belt and proceeded to gut, skin, and bone him with expert cuts. She packed the meat into two cardboard boxes Tanaka had already prepared to receive hers, Diana’s, and Jean’s, slaughtered bodies. Marking them as Pork. His head, skeleton, and offal, she threw into the darkness of the lime pit below the gutter. She kept his sword, armour, and beautiful tattooed skin for her trophy room. She folded the latter with care and placed it into a plastic bag. Before leaving, she emptied another bag of quicklime on the remains of his carcass and cleaned up. At the top of the stairs, she entered the restaurant kitchen freezer and placed the two boxes on the rack marked with pork. May it fucking choke them when his friends feed on his diseased meat, thinking it pork?

  When she left, Diana had the car started and ready. “Come, Tanis, Jean looks out of it.” Tanis joined Diana and Jean in the car after she had stowed her trophies and her armour in the boot. Both looked at her in silence.

  “Let’s go Diana, the dojo’s clean now and Tanaka’s rat-shit.” Tanis glanced at Jean. She’s near to death. I must hurry. She reached over pulled Jean’s head over the seat back and injected some venom into her throat vein. “There, that’ll hold her until we get her into stasis.”

  Diana studied her with interest. “You’re a cool one, Tanis.”

  “No Diana, I’m a predator, and there’s the difference.”

  “Let me drive Tanis. The duel has taken a lot from your body.”

  Her armour and trophies safe, Tanis sank into the back seat with Jean in her arms. “Okay, but hurry, Jean has little time left.”

  “Tanis, I’ve never seen anyone fight as you do. You have no need for the martial arts I can teach you. You already have all the skills you’ll ever need. The way you move is beauty itself. Why did you want to learn Aikido?”

  She caressed Jean’s neck as she answered. “I hoped to meet someone like you, Diana. I was looking for a warrior woman host and the only place I could ever hope to find one was in a martial arts dojo. Weightlifters have the build and the strength. Yet, they don’t have the body swiftness or the beauty I need to hunt my prey. You have all those in spades. You are a desirable warrior woman to me, and I love you for it.”

  “I look forward to being a predator like you, Tanis. To rid our world of people like Tanaka.”

  “Yes, a Queen too. I didn’t think I’d fall in love with you Diana. When I first saw you, I found you much more than any of my previous hosts except Shani. They were attractive, yes, but you are another Shani. I love you for myself and to my knowledge that has never happened before. Until I remembered our Queen Scarlett. My birth mother on Mantis my homeworld.”

  “I can never stop loving you Tanis, even after what I’ve seen you do.”

  “I can sense it, Diana. We’re like a lioness falling in love with a zebra. You are special to me. So, special in fact, I’d let you go to live your own life if you wanted to. Though you know who and what I am, I couldn’t bring myself to harm you for I love you too much. I would give you your freedom rather than hurt you.”

  With tears in her eyes and her voice filled with emotion Diana said. “Tanis, do you think I could forget what we’ve had together and let you go. I don’t care who or what you are. I only know what I feel inside, and I can’t fight against that. I know you love only me.”

  “I do with all my alien heart Diana.”

  “My dearest wish is you share my body with me. I’m here because I want to be Tanis. To let me go now would be the same as killing me.”

  “I’ll say no more then. Look we’ve arrived.”

  Diana pulled the car under the trees before she took Jean from Tanis. She walked towards Zana followed by Tanis with her gruesome trophies and armour. Once inside, she laid Jean on the bed of the healer stasis chamber. The one Freyja had occupied all those years before. “Zana, I have brought you Tanis’s friend.”

  After leaving Tanaka’s skin and armour in Zana’s care, Tanis joined them and sat beside Jean. Holding her hand until she’d awakened. Diana watched her. As she wiped the brow of her best friend, Tanis said. “Zana, heal her for she’s my friend and soon to be the host of our first daughter.”

  Zana’s voice answered, ‘I will try my Tanis, but we must hurry.’

  Jean woke. “What happened? Ohhh Myyy Goddd Tanis! What a nightmare.” Her memory returned, she looked up at Tanis. “It’s true then…it wasn’t a dream. I did see you kill Tanaka. Fuck me, Tanis! What have we done? What did Tanaka mean when he said he was going to eat us, the filthy turd?”

  “Exactly that Jean. Now lay back and take it easy. You’ve been through a lot, and I’ll try to explain. First, the facts as they stand. If I don’t do something for you soon, you’ll die.” It was a brutal thing to say; still, she had to say it. “You’re too injured to survive unless I help you. The body I’m in was like yours once, wounded and dying after a duel. I healed it with my technology, and it’s lived in perfect health for over one thousand years. I can save you too Jean. Only you can make the final decision.”

  Jean looked at Diana. “Who’s this Tanis? I don’t know her.”

  “This is Diana, my lover and my future host. She decides to be so Jean. Now make your decision and soon.”

  “I see…and what’s a host Tanis?”

  “I’m not of this world Jean. I’m alien, to live I need a human host body. My real body composed of light energy and not flesh and blood. My human host lets me love, feed, and live. Diana knows who and what I am, and so too will you Jean. Please, no more questions now. You are fast running out of time.”

  Jean glanced at Tanis and at Diana still puzzled. “What you’re trying to tell me, Tanis. You are aliens from another planet, and you can save my life if I shut up and let you do so?” Her pain returned, and she groaned. “I know I’m hurt, perhaps with fatal wounds. The bloody bastard enjoyed every minute of what he did to me. To think what would be left of me after he’d finished with me would have come out of his arse to feed his plants sickens me.”

  Tanis smiled. “It’s his fate now to come out of someone else’s arse. How did he capture you, Jean?”

  “He kidnapped me in his Japanese baths. While I was fucking one of his girls, he just walked in and plucked me off her. He apologised for interrupting my pleasure the bastard.” She groaned again. “He took me to his dojo, tied me to the training post, and raped me. He knew I was a lesbian. She started to cry…he…he was a man who did not respect my sexuality, Tanis. I…I feel so dirty.”

 
Tanis said, “I could have given you a massage Jean. You need not have gone to the baths.”

  “I’ll bet you have Tanis? He kept me tied to the post for days. While he trained, he made love to me between. It was like making love to a painting. Believe me, Tanis, it was surreal and horrible. Cruel too, because he was a man with no respect for who I am. When he started to practice his sword strokes on me seeing how close he could come to my body, it frightened me. I thought he was showing off at first. I asked him to stop as the strokes drew closer. What you see in my body took days of patient cutting. He cut into me deeper and deeper, sometimes into the same cuts to show his skill... Holy Shit! It was horrible. Jean started to cry again at the memory. “I knew he was going to kill me. Last night, before you arrived, Tanaka kept looking up into a small UHD screen on the wall. ‘At last,’ he said. ‘The bait is taken, Miss McGregor. It won’t be long now. I’ll not kill you yet.’ He slashed my face, and I screamed. Afterwards, he left me to change into his armour. I thought my end was near and fainted. The next thing I remember was you coming into the room and killing the bastard in a duel. The sadistic shit must have been planning to have us all for dinner. I’d like to eat his fucking heart out.”

  “We’re not so different after all, Jean.”

  “Oh My God! What did I say?”

  “Nothing I wouldn’t have said, Jean. Well, Tanaka’s had his justice now. He did put a few unfortunate girls through his restaurant in the past though. The other night, when I was in his restaurant with Amanda.” She nodded towards the stasis room. “Amanda’s here in stasis with your Helga in there awaiting my justice. Amanda ordered me her favourite raw meat dish at Tanaka’s and the meat was human.”

  Jean shocked said. “How do you know Tanis, what about Helga?”

  “I’m a predator, and my prey is human Jean.”

  Jean looked at Diana. “Oh My God Tanis! Was I ever in any danger from you as prey when we were making love?”

  “If you’d been a natural blonde with blue-green eyes like the ocean and looked like my host Freyja. You wouldn’t be a physical presence now.”

  “Holy Crap Tanis! I came that close to be your dinner.”

  Tanis nodded. “Yes. Jean, I’m warning you. You only have a few moments of life left, and you must make your decision now. If you die on me, I can’t help you.”

  “Will you be keeping me for your food Tanis?”

  “No. I want to heal you now. You are my best friend, and I have plans for your future. To live, you must make the choice Diana has made. There is no other option but death.”

  “I believe you’re not one of us Tanis because no human could fight like you or make love with so much passion. The place we’re in too, I’ve never seen anything like it before. Oh, Tanis please help me...” Jean lapsed into unconsciousness.

  Tanis lifted Jean and placed her in a more comfortable position in the healing chamber. She kissed her on her lips and sealed the stasis area. “I’ll see you when you awake my friend. Zana, Jean’s all yours now.”

  ‘We were on time Tanis. I can heal her.’

  “Come, Tanis,” Diana whispered. “You can’t do any more for Jean. She’s in safe hands now. You look tired and in need of some sustenance. I happen to be feeling strong and sexy. Let’s sleep in Zana tonight, and you can take from my body what you need to recoup your strength. Believe me, I’ve plenty to give you.”

  Hand in hand, they walked into Diana’s bedchamber. Where watched over by Zana, Tanis took all she needed from Diana’s climaxing body. Afterwards, her lips at Diana’s throat, she whispered. “Sleep now and dream my Diana, for you also need your rest.” Kissing Diana on her breast, she turned over and let sleep take her also.

  ****

  Morning found them on their way into town, Diana’s hand caressing Tanis’s thigh. “Do you know Tanis, for a moment last night I saw you as you are? You came out of your body and stood there looking down on me thinking me asleep. I thought it a dream at first until you made love to me. You looked far more beautiful than the last time, the experience of you in my body was electrifying.”

  “Last night I had to spend some time with Zana to prepare Jean’s mind for her healing Diana. Jean’s body is complete again. Her mind needs time to forget her ordeal with Tanaka.”

  “Take me home Tanis, I can sense you have to go somewhere. So, I’ll wait for you to call me.” She pressed Tanis’s thigh. “It’ll be hard for a while, but soon you’ll be mine forever.”

  “Rest my Diana. Meet me at Welland’s on Saturday evening. I must meet with Steve today to plan our trip to Japan. Afterwards, I’ll rest. On Saturday, I must meet two young women from the North in Welland’s. It’s business, and I want you there with me. I’ll not lie to you Diana, it might involve having sex with them, or it might just be information they seek.” She passed Diana some money. “Take this and buy us some clothes for the Japanese trip. You know my size and you more than anyone know what colour turns me on, and what turns you on. So, buy well Diana, and we’ll wear the clothes for each other.”

  “Christ Tanis! There are at least five thousand pounds here?”

  “So, spend it all and buy the best Diana. You saw our treasure room. It’s but a trifle. We’ve more than we’ll ever need for a dozen lifetimes. When we meet these two young women, I want you to share the experience, whatever it may be. I’ll not come to you. You can meet me at Welland’s at eight. I look forward to seeing you in your best new sexy outfit my love.”

  “I love you Tanis, and of course I’ll come. I’ll look forward to Saturday and whatever it might bring because I’ll be with you.”

  Tanis laughed. “Good. It’s settled then.” She dropped Diana off at the store where she had seduced young Shannon. “Ask for the assistant called Shannon. She will serve you well. I’ll see you on Saturday evening and don’t be late. Here, put this large ruby ring on your right-hand middle finger. And this thick gold lock chain around your right ankle. Be sure Shannon sees them. She’s my love gift to you.”

  Puzzled Diana said. “Thank you, Tanis. Even so, why should I be late?”

  “Oh, nothing Diana, I’ll see you on Saturday evening.”

  ****

  An hour later, Tanis knocked up Welland and Tara.

  “It’s been peaceful around here since we last saw you, Tanis. I hear Amanda and Helga have gone abroad for long holidays. Let’s hope they’re permanent holidays.”

  Tanis smiled. “I heard Tanaka’s gone back to Japan for a long holiday also, Welland.”

  Welland looked at her and smiled. “I hope you’re right Tanis. Tanaka was the real danger.”

  “You won’t be seeing him again Welland. Only three to go.”

  **

  CHAPTER 30.

  The terrible twins

  **

  At eight on Saturday evening. Tanis entered the main bar of Welland’s nightclub and glanced over the clientele. Her eyes came to rest on two attractive young women seated in the far corner, who from their looks were identical twins. She moved towards them. Both women had the porcelain complexions of people. Who’d lived their young lives in a Northern climate? Their eyes, when they caught her glance. Reminded her of a twinkling Danish stream on a crisp sunny morning. She noticed they dressed alike. With tartan miniskirts. Held up by black leather belts and tartan braces over silky white open-necked blouses. Short, cute silver-buttoned black jackets open at the front. Showed the promise of four firm young breasts beneath. Also, untidy, but attractive drops of copper-brown hair which stopped short of their collars and framed their twin faces. Equipped with strong, dimpled chins supporting full sensuous mouths.

  Tanis walked over to their table. “Hello, I’ll bet you’re Susan and Sarah. I’m supposed to meet them here tonight. You both fit their description to a ‘Tee’.” Ummm attractive, alike as two peas in a pod in every respect. I like what I see, but will Diana?

  “Yes, we are, you must be Tanis.” They broke in together, looked at each other and laughed. The soft burr
of their Scottish accents made them even more appealing. As their voices carried in them the image of deep heather on sun-kissed highland hillsides.

  “What beautiful accents you have. Soft and attractive.” She watched them as they blushed together in genuine embarrassment. “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m expecting my best friend to join us at any moment now. When she arrives, we can talk?”

  As if on cue, Diana walked through the door and made straight for their table. “Hello, Tanis.”

  “Ahh Diana, meet Susan and Sarah. Need I say it, you look radiant and quite sexy.”

  “I have an outfit like this in dark grey with a wild primrose top for you, Tanis. Plus, a few tight things in navy-blue I know you like to see me in.” She laughed. “Shannon the young shop assistant was something else too. When I tied her up, I had to gag her she screamed so much. Wow! Was she hot?”

  Tanis laughed, her eyes smiling, she said, “I thought you’d like her Diana. I must tell Jean about her too. Jean likes her women to be submissive.”

  “She’d love Shannon then...”

  Sarah broke in. “Tanis, this is Susan, and I’m Sarah.”

  “I’m sorry Sarah, you look so much alike.” Her gambit played, her eyes on Susan, she continued. “I’m not sure, which is which yet Diana. I feel we’re going to know them much better soon.”

  Diana noticed Sarah’s eyes on her cleavage and said with a smile. “I agree.”

  Dressed in a new light-brown embroidered suede skirt. With a waist length, brown brushed jeans jacket. Over a tight button-through’ ribbed fawn sweater top. One Tanis favoured when she had seduction in mind sitting on a settee facing her lover. Easy access to excited breasts from tight sweaters with taut buttons and no bra. Made for exciting foreplay. On her feet, Diana wore short high-heeled matching suede boots, which Tanis also favoured.

  Tanis glanced at Sarah. “Am I right Sarah?”

  Sarah licked her lips. “Yes, you look gorgeous in your new outfit Diana.” Blushing she continued. “With a nice tight top, too. One easy to get into.”