The Willing Prey

by Scarlett Sunday

  Satisfied and strong again. Tanis left the house of Murmasaki. Not forgetting to take her strange jewellery with her. Her thoughts there for Murmasaki to read. I would have liked to take your beautiful tattooed skin too Murmasaki. What an experience and what a beautiful woman you are. You are indeed a sexual artist. You will always be safe with me.

  ‘I am happy I have pleased you my Tanis. And will continue to do so whenever you feel the need…others I sense here too?’

  Returning to her hotel, her energy restored, her mood jubilant. Tanis slipped into the sleeping arms of Diana. There to make love to her as Murmasaki's prisoner within a dream. Until she had woken her with her coming.

  “Ohh My Godd Tanisssss! What a beautiful dream I have just experienced. I’ll tell you about it after the tournament. I promise.”

  “No need my darling Diana. I know exactly what you have experienced.”

  ****

  Darius won the tournament. Steve looked drawn and weak after the final bout with him. Even so, he was smiling.

  Tanis wondered. Was it because of the strenuous nights of love he had spent with Darius and Nigel? Or the wear and tear of his strong opponent’s final attack? I wonder, which had been the weakening factor. In the end, she smiled and assumed both.

  ****

  Monday dawned and Diana, happy in Tanis’s arms, asked. “Why the armour Tanis?” She didn’t ask about the new marks on Tanis’s arse and throat. Or the beautiful jewellery and kimono she’d brought home. She already knew. In silence, she applied more cream to her lover’s stripes, which had almost gone. I know who she had sex with last night anyway. What a strange experience.

  “Diana, I have a confession to make. The other night I had to talk to Darius and the only way to convince him, was to leave my host, or Nigel might have suffered. When I do, it depletes my energy reserves. I made love to you and gave you venom before I had to meet with him. So, you could rest for your ordeal ahead. You slept until this morning where you awoke in my arms after a dream. Which I invoked.”

  “I know Tanis. The dream was a strange and wonderful experience.”

  “To replenish my energy, I had to feed. I went to a nightclub where a woman named Murmasaki picked me up for sex. I questioned her about her unusual jewellery, and she told me why she wore it.

  “To Murmasaki, bondage was an art form. She promised me a sexual drama I would never forget. Who I am, I couldn’t refuse her my body. Afterwards, not suspecting who I was. She let me make love to her where I brought her to orgasm, then took her body as prey to rejuvenate my host. What we did together is what you dreamt this morning. Murmasaki’s mind is with me now as yours will soon be. Only I will live in your body and not you in mine.

  “Murmasaki’s body was prey for me nothing more. Yet, her mind is the mind of a sexual artist. We can use her expertise again as a threesome when we are together. Also, when we make love to others, and to those we hunt. Murmasaki is happy now. Ask her again when you make love to her. If she hasn’t found true happiness in me.”

  “I believe you, Tanis. I know how much you love me. The quicker we become one, the happier I will be. You don’t have to make excuses every time you make love to someone else or take them as prey. I, more than anyone, know why you do what you do. For when we are one, I’ll be sharing all those experiences with you in bed and in the hunt.”

  “I know Diana. Come with me, Angel. Let’s get ready for my mating dance with Darius.”

  “I can’t wait to see it.”

  “Darius’s will mate with me in Steve’s host body when you are my new host, Diana. That mating will take place before we go back to England. You will have sex with Darius as my new host body where Darius will fertilise my first egg with what is to become our daughter’s Mantis mind. At the same time, he will transfer his Mantis mind into my second egg with his sperm. Which I will then move into Steve’s host body as Darius’s Mantis mind during our sex with Steve? You will be as conscious as you are now and will enjoy the experience of making love to Steve as Darius’s new host. Steve will not disappoint you this time Diana. Although he will still keep his sexuality.

  “I swear when we hunt, Diana. We will only take those who pose a threat to our Earth realm male or female. As I did with Joe, Amanda, and Helga, and last night with Murmasaki. No more innocents like Paul will die.”

  “I don't want to know the moment you will make me your host body Tanis. I want to wake up to my new life when you have me in orgasm and in your arms, with your teeth at my throat like Murmasaki did in my dream. Take me then.”

  “I will so let’s not speak of it again my darling Diana. Treat it as a surprise awakening into a new and exciting life.” I’ll make Diana mine tonight after the dance. Once done, it will erase any doubts from her mind. She’ll be happy when she realises nothing has changed. Except she has become the host of a powerful Mantis Queen. She’ll still be conscious of her own body and mind, and the conscious mind of the only person she loves more than her life.

  ****

  The people had come to see Darius show his skill with the Samurai sword. Not knowing he had honed his expertise on the killing fields of the Shoguns when Japan was young. Unknown to them. Another more skilled wished to perform with him in a kata never seen before. One never to be seen again in their lifetimes. A kata called the Dance of the Mantis. The crowd would know it mimicked the insect’s predatory skills, nothing more. Only three would understand its real intent. Tanis wanted no dogma or ritual sacrifice in her new world, just artistic expression. The dance performed in public would find its creative conclusion in Darius’s bedroom. The only sacrifices made would be the host body of her mate Darius. Freyja’s, and the two sacrificial human bodies who waited on their threshold to immortality.

  When Tanis had gone for her armour, she had instructed Zana to start her beacons. Soon the survivors of her species, if they lived, would answer the call of their Queen. Afterwards, life for the Mantis could begin again on the vibrant new prey world of their Queen’s choosing. With the only human whose deep love for her beautiful Vampire predator had made it all possible.

  Darius entered the arena first in the magnificent O-yoroi or great armour, of a Shogun. He started his kata. Halfway through Tanis joined him from the other end. Clad in the splendid black armour of Shani, the Delphi General. Her exquisite beauty shining through stimulated the crowd’s interest. Breathless and silent, their hearts held in rapture. They watched the erotic mating dance of the Mantis open before them. Tanis and Darius moved as one, every movement precise, one the mirror of the other. The ritual battle had but one purpose in mind. The enthused crowd could sense its implied conclusion.

  At its end, the aroused combatants bowed first to the stunned audience, then to each other. Naked, their armour strewed about them. With Darius a willing prisoner to his Queen, they stood together. Darius with a collar of gold about his throat, its fine chain held in Tanis’s strong right hand. The end was nigh. The crowd sensed it. Even so, the ending was not for the spectators to see.

  Darius gazed into Tanis’s eyes, his deep love for her shining through. “Magnificent Tanis. It was the mating dance of a Mantis Queen. Would that you be in my arms right now?” His voice almost lost in the thunderous applause, he continued. “I promise when you return, we will dance again, as does the beautiful crane with his mate. Then we the Mantis will announce our desire to our world again.”

  “When I return Darius, my love. There’ll be one more and each time after, another. It will take time. Even so, we have time aplenty, now we are together.”

  “Yes, my beloved Queen.”

  Darius and Tanis turned to the audience and bowed once more. The whole arena erupted in a Mexican wave of pleasure. The Mantis had arrived. They had found their new home at last. And yet no human knew it but two, and the immortal Mantis minds within.

  ****

  The first night Tanis spent with Diana. In gentleness and within a loving dream. She took Diana's body as her new host, as she had promi
sed at the height of her pleasure. Freyja’s mind free within Tanis, her old body paid the ultimate price. The same night Darius spent with the new Tanis. His current host body paying the final price as he planted his mind sperm into Tanis’s second egg. His father's sperm into his daughter’s egg. The second night, Tanis as Diana, spent with Steve. Where she implanted Darius’s mind egg into his body. As Steve fucked her as Diana.

  Returning to Hatton on the same night. Tanis entered Jean’s Starship. And implanted within her body, the egg of her Mantis daughter. Where the next morning, Helga’s assassin's mind safe in Jean, the new order began.

  On the fifth day. Tanis returned to Jean’s house and Elizabeth to spend the night with the body of her willing sex-slave. In the morning, she awoke to feel Elizabeth’s soft lips on her breasts and throat. Elizabeth’s fingers combing through her velvet reminded her of who she was.

  As Elizabeth said. “I’ve missed you, Diana, Tanis, too. Will we ever see her again?”

  As Diana kissed her, she said. “In time Elizabeth. I have instructed Jean to keep you on as her housekeeper, or you can choose to come with me when I leave to join Tanis?”

  “I would like to come with you now Diana. Yet, stay with Jean when you leave with Tanis. I feel she needs me more.”

  The next morning, with a happy Elizabeth in her arms, Tanis heard a sound downstairs. She left Elizabeth in a venom-induced dream and entered the library. Jean and Darius in Steve’s host body were there to greet her.

  “Hello Mother, Jean knows I am Mantis. She also knows, if you hadn’t saved her from Tanaka, she wouldn’t be here now as my host.” Jean did a pirouette and smiled. “Look at us mother, Jean is healed, and we are beautiful again.”

  Tanis kissed her daughter on her lips and turned to Darius. She took his hands in hers. “Darius, my love. In a few days, I’ll be leaving for my secret place on the far side of the Moon. When I return with new eggs, you will mate with me. Welland’s descendants will be ready at that time to receive our gift of immortality. We’ve come home at last Darius.”

  “Yes, Tanis. Without a Queen, it would not have been possible. I will steward our world with our daughter until you return as our Queen. In time, we will bring order. This world has need of us, and in the end, it will become a better place for our being here.”

  “Where is Nigel?”

  “He is safe and will join us later. He’s asleep in Jean’s bedroom. As he ages, he and I will become one.” At that moment Elizabeth entered.

  “Elizabeth will be your new housekeeper and companion Jean. When I leave, she wants to stay here and look after you?”

  “I understand mother.” Jean continued, her eyes on Elizabeth. “I would love to have her stay here with me.”

  “Persuade her to stay then Jean. I must leave for town. I have Welland and Tara to see and presents to deliver before I go.” Tanis made a quick phone call. “Come, Darius, I want you should meet them too. Jean has already met them and knows them as dear friends.” She turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, when Nigel awakes will you feed him, he’ll need it.” I’ll leave a note for Kathy to pick Nigel up later and drop him off at Steve’s flat. Kathy and Hilary’s presents I’ll deliver myself. They should put paid to Jake and what’s left of his Cartel.

  **

  CHAPTER 34.

  The Farewell

  **

  Welland stood with his arm around Tara. Both stared at the open packing case in front of them. When Diana, Jean, and Darius walked in, he turned to greet them. “Why Hello Diana, Jean…” He glanced at Darius and Diana. “Where’s Tanis, Diana?”

  “Tanis had to leave us in Japan. Maybe the box will explain all Welland. She told me she would send you something in explanation. Darius here owns the Aikido dojo I work in and is a good friend.”

  Darius took Welland’s hand. “I am pleased to meet you, Mr Taggart. Tanis has told me much about you.”

  “Call me Welland, Darius. This is my fiancé Tara.”

  Darius made a bow and took Tara’s hand. Tanis has chosen well.

  They stood together looking at the packing case. Tara was the first to speak. “I wonder what’s in it Welland. It must be from Tanis, there are two letters here, one for each of us.”

  “We’ll read our letters first before we open the case, Tara.” Welland watched Tara’s face, his arm around her waist. She began to read. Tears started in her eyes. Welland sensed what was in the letter and took Tara into his arms. “There, there, my love.”

  “Oh Welland, Tanis has gone from our lives forever. Here, read her letter, I can’t bear to read anymore.” She sobbed as Welland read on, his eyes showing his emotion.

  ****

  Dearest Tara,

  When you read this letter, I’ll be gone from your lives forever. The three days you shared with me with Welland away were three of the happiest of my life. You thought you had a problem; yet, we solved it together? You were honest with Welland from the start and told him of your feelings towards me. Your urges were too strong to resist Tara, if you hadn’t accepted them, they would have made you unhappy. Welland understood your needs, and I will always love him for it. You have a wonderful man, one whose thinking is mature and far ahead of his time. Cherish him. When your need becomes too intense to bear, talk to him about it and never feel guilty. Your feelings for other women might even excite him.

  Jean is Welland’s best friend and my lover also. If she attracts you, she will be the first to understand your dilemma and help you with it. Welland would trust Jean with you as he believed in me. Jean knows what a woman needs and is an excellent lover.

  ****

  Jean placed her arm around Tara’s waist. “I’ll be your best friend too if you’ll have me, Tara.”

  Welland smiled at Jean. With tears in his eyes, he nodded and continued to read.

  When I have gone, I may not return. Still, Diana is here for a short while before she joins me. If you feel you can make your advances toward Diana, Tara, do so. I know she’ll respond. In fact, her response might even surprise you. Again, ask Welland first.

  Again, Welland nodded and gave the letter back to Tara. “Tara, this letter is too private for me to read. It’s meant only for you sweetheart; even so, I agree with its content.”

  Tara took it from him. “Excuse me for a moment Welland.” She continued to read it aloud, tears staining her eyes.

  Whatever you do, keep Jean, Darius, Kathy, and Hilary as your closest friends. I know Welland will. You can trust them to look after you both in the manner of true friendship. Jean told me you can have my room at her house, whenever you visit.

  Tara’s beautiful eyes filled with tears. “Ohhh Tanis, I will miss you so.” Welland’s arm around her shoulder, she continued to read.

  Look after your children Tara, they are special to me. Bring them up to have open minds and tell them of Tanis, your best friend. I’ll think of you always, and I’ll hold the memory of you both dear to my heart forever. I am, and still will be yours and your family’s unforgettable friend. Shortly, you and Welland will know where I have gone, I promise.

  All my love, Tanis XXXX.

  “Oh, Welland.”

  Jean moved away, and Welland took Tara in his arms. “I’ll cancel my trip to Holland tonight Tara.”

  “No. Please don’t Welland, it’s important to us. Diana or Jean can keep me company while you’re away. This deal’s too big for you to miss the meeting. Delia is expecting you.”

  Welland looked at Diana, and she nodded. “I’ll be here Welland.”

  “Look after her Diana. Tara’s as fond of Tanis as I am.”

  Diana turned to Jean. “Jean, please tell Elizabeth I’ll see her tomorrow. I’ll stay with Tara tonight. You and Elizabeth should become better acquainted anyway. Darius has his own plans.”

  Welland said, “Diana, I appreciate this. Could you thank Tanis for her gift when you see her? Now though, let’s open the packing case and see what’s in it. It might cheer us all up.”

 
; Diana watched Welland’s face. “I’ll be sure to tell her Welland.”

  Welland drew closer to the box and opened it. He knew what he was looking at. “Holy Mackerel Tara! We’re looking at one of four runestones. Two of which, I now own. This one is the saga of a warrior woman called Aysher! There’s a legend in British India. Of a beautiful warrior woman princess of the Pindarri tribe called Aysher. Who fought in strange black armour at the start of the eighteenth century. Into the beginning of the nineteenth also?

  The Stranglers of Kali, a superstitious bunch of religious fanatics and bandits. Swore Aysher was a reincarnation of their warrior goddess Durga, who was one of Kali’s alter egos. It says here Aysher was ruthless with any prisoners she captured in battle. Always demanding the ultimate sacrifice to Kali. By having them strangled over a black altar stone in her temple. Or sacrificing them alive to huge reptiles. After first raping them over a black altar stone. She was said to be insane. This looks to be her saga and that of another pale-skinned warrior woman called Freyja, who came in at the end. Shortly after Aysher’s mysterious exit from the scene?

  Freyja’s full story is told on my Viking runestone upstairs in more detail. Was Indian saga Freyja. The same Viking warrior woman Freyja from the ninth century Irish/Viking sagas of Tanis? She can’t be! There’s a gap of eight centuries separating the two stones. Which would make the Indian Freyja over seven-hundred years old. There’s something weird going on here?”

  “Please continue Welland. You have my interest,” said Diana.

  “Mine too.” Echoed Darius.

  “Aysher’s sexual appetite was rapacious when it came to deal with sacrificial victims. She loved the blood of battle for its own sake. From her more important prisoners. Aysher extracted fabulous ransoms having first made love to them on the black altar stone of Kali. Some said she was a Pindarri princess who had gone mad and not Durga. Yet, you couldn’t convince her murderous followers otherwise. She was a terror to watch in battle and a match for any three male warriors. Her warriors believed her to be immortal, as she never seemed to age. It’s strange the warrior woman Tanis is not mentioned here too. The two must be linked?”