“How interesting Welland,” said Darius glancing at Diana. “I am amazed at your knowledge. What of the warrior woman Tanis?”
“I feel I was born to it Darius. I should have been a historian or an archaeologist, not a nightclub owner. All this has a basis in fact, and now this runestone proves Aysher or her impostor Durga existed in real life. Whether she was a real Goddess, is another matter. What is important, her worshippers thought she was.
It states here four of these black runestones exist. The two stones depicting the warrior woman Tanis in her Roman and Elizabethan lives disappeared. I have Tanis’s Viking saga upstairs, which mentions Freyja. My direct ancestor Viking Welland also. This is the Indian one. Which does not suggest Tanis? Yet, the description of Aysher’s armour is the same, so I suspect she was Tanis in spirit if not in body. I will give my right ball to know if there are any other runestone sagas of Tanis in existence.”
The Runestone, stood before them, glistening in the bright lights of the club. It seemed to interest Darius more than anyone. He studied it, his fingers running over its exquisite artwork he looked up at Diana and smiled.
“This is amazing artwork Welland. I would also give a lot to know the answers to your questions.” The stone shone like obsidian. Its beautiful erotic carvings picked out against its polished sheen in high relief, was still in pristine condition. It related to three people. Two warrior women and a Goddess. One a Pindarri Princess called Aysher. The second an Indian Goddess Durga. The third a woman called Freyja posing as a British army officer named Charles. The latter not mentioned in Welland’s stone upstairs. Was Tanis playing three parts then? The last days. In her new host Freyja, from her Viking life?
“Fuck me, Darius! Look at this. They didn’t mess around in those days when it came to sex and sacrifice. It’s all here in explicit detail. At a time when life was cheap. There’s strangulation depicted here. I have a book on the Thuggees of central India somewhere, which could throw more light on this stone. It might decipher some of these characters for us too. I know one stands for Tanis in Old Norse and this means Aysher. This one is the symbol for the sexual organs. Even a blind man could feel them. I have a feeling Tanis is here somewhere… Holyyy Crapp!”
“Welland!” Admonished Tara. “Stop swearing like a sailor.”
In his excitement, Welland was running his hands over everything. “Here’s the symbol of the great love and comradeship Tanis shared with some of the people she encountered. The fierce battles they fought together. The treasure and slaves they captured. These are the signs for Orkney, and there is the sign for Ireland. This is an Elizabethan Tudor rose. More proof the other runestones exist. Tanis is in here somewhere?”
“I agree,” said Darius.
His excitement uncontainable Welland continued. “Tara! This must be the legend of Tanis. If all these warrior women are the same person. She must have been either immortal or part of a family line of exceptional warrior women. All female, including Charles. You have the Roman gladiator Shani, known as Tanis. The Viking chieftain Tanis. The Elizabethan pirate sea Captain, Countess, and duellist Erin Tanis Connor. The Indian Goddess Durga in the human guise of Aysher the Pindarri Princess, who I suspect was Tanis. And…and. Holyyy Crap!” The thought had just struck him. "The Escort girl Helen Tanis Napier. The strange language she spoke to Jake’s thugs before she killed them and saved my life. It sounded like ancient Norse! The battle cry, Odin. If she were any of the former, she could have become a Queen in our time if she had wanted to. Fuck me rigid Darius! I slept with her too.”
Darius laughed. His thoughts afire. I would like to fuck you rigid Welland. Tanis is now the High Queen of my people. He glanced at Diana and smiled. Knowing she had read his mind. “I think you speak the truth Welland.”
Tara looked at Welland in shock. “Welland, I said stop swearing like a sailor. I don’t like it. Even though we are in a Docklands nightclub.”
“If all this is true Tara my love, who was our modern-day Tanis? Who was Helen Tanis Napier? Was she the same Tanis who fought in the arena in Rome, or who raided as a Viking chieftain on the East coast of Ireland? Was she the Tanis who fought the duels and lived the sea adventures of the Elizabethan Pirate Countess Erin Tanis Connor? Who was Durga, and…? Holy fucking Mackerel! If all this is true and the four runes of Tanis do exist. My own ancestor Viking Welland, First Earl of Orkney, was one of her many lovers and companion in battle. I would give my left ball to know the answer, Darius.”
Darius laughed. “As would I Welland.” If I didn’t already know the truth.
“Welland! You can’t give up two balls I wouldn’t like it,” said Tara laughing. “We need more kids.”
“It’s all here on this runestone Tara. We can’t argue with history. Look there, a tall woman in a winged helmet.” He ran his fingers over the rune. “You can feel her breasts. It’s Tanis. How else would she have the runestone in her possession? It must be priceless. It’s in pristine condition too. Wait! The other letter might explain it?” He started to read his letter. As he did so, his eyes opened wider in astonishment and tears filled his eyes. “Ohh My God Tara! Listen to this.”
****
To my dearest friend Welland Taggart,
By the time, you have opened your gift Welland, I will have gone from your life forever. The runestones relate to the tremendous physical love and companionship shared. Between five warrior women, and the lives they lived over time. First in the Roman arena as Shani called Tanis. Then as the Viking Chieftain Tanis in Ireland with your ancestor Viking Welland. Later as the Pirate Countess and duellist in Elizabethan England, Erin Tanis Connor. Also, the Pindarri Princess Aysher in the vast sub-continent of India. Finally, as the high-class call girl Helen Tanis Napier in Twenty-first century London. The stone is dear to my heart Welland. As is my wedding gift to you and Tara, it will tell you the measure in which I the immortal Tanis, hold and love you and yours.
Promise me Welland, you will look after Tara and all your children. When your first daughter is born, and it will be a girl. You can call her Scarlett for my mother. She, like me, will be active in mind, body, and spirit and she will belong to us all. I want you both to remember me as I will consider you, with deep affection. Diana is coming with me. But, before she joins me, she will be coming back to you for a day or two. Diana knows the full story of Tanis. She will tell you if you ask her. I leave you in love, my dearest Welland.
Tanis forever. XXXX.
PS. In your heart, you must know I am the Tanis you believe me to be. Even so, I’ll leave the question an enigma, as it is unbelievable to a mortal. It’s better that way. Remember, I’ll always love you, Tara, and your children for as long as I live. You are, and you will still be my first human family in this new world of mine. The runestone is yours to keep Welland with my blessing. If you have not guessed it already, I have the other two. In time, your family will inherit the full set, which may number many. Runestones of lives I have yet to live. You can count on Darius and Jean to be your closest friends. I love you all with all my heart. Look after Kathy and Hilary for me also. They are the biological mothers of your children Welland. And the descendants of my beloved Viking Welland. Their common ancestor. All my love until we meet again in mind. Tanis. XXXX.
****
Welland stood there, as if a great bear, the tears streaming down his face. “If Tanis is who I believe her to be Tara, I’m going to miss her so much. To have met her and known her during our lifetime will have to be enough. Her memory will always be a sacred part of our family history. This runestone, will by its presence in our home, make certain of it.” He held Tara close to him and kissed her with passion. “Come, sweetheart, it’s time we opened the club for the evening. Without Tanis, life must go on, and you have Diana to stay for a day or two to remind you of her presence.”
“Yes. Now we have Darius and Jean also, Welland.” Tara went up to Jean and kissed her cheek. “Tanis said I could use her bedroom when I visit with you Jean. I would l
ike to be your best friend also?”
“Of course, Tara. The room is yours for as long as you want it. I will always look forward to your coming when you visit.”
Welland took Darius’s hand and looked him in the eyes. “Any friend of Tanis is an intimate friend of mine Darius.” He gave Jean a hug and left for Holland with the words. “I won’t be back until late tomorrow Diana.” He smiled and tapped the side of his nose. “If you could stay with Tara tonight, I would appreciate it.”
“Don’t worry Welland. Tara couldn’t be in better hands.”
“I know.”
“You can count on me also, Welland.” Finished Darius. “I’ll be here if you should ever need me when you return.”
Welland squeezed Darius’s hand. His nostrils flaring to Darius’s pheromones, he said. “Then I’ll look forward to seeing you and Tara on my return Darius. You do have an uncanny resemblance to Tanis. Even though a man.”
****
With Welland gone, Jean and Darius took their leave. Diana found herself sitting alone with Tara. Tara gazed into Diana’s beautiful honey coloured eyes and said. “My God! Diana. In so many ways you remind me of Tanis when you look at me like that. I will miss her so much.”
Tanis gazed at Tara, her heart painful for having to lie to her. I could not leave without seeing you again to say goodbye, dear Tara.
“Tanis and I will be back. But, I’m not sure when Tara. Come, let the door attendants look after the club. I need to say goodbye to you in my own way. Tanis would want that.”
Once upstairs, Tara came into Diana’s arms and gazed up into her eyes. “You do remind me of Tanis, Diana. You have the same sexy look in your eyes. Did she ever tell you about our relationship? You can tell me. I know Tanis won’t mind. She loves you as she loved me. You do not keep secrets from those you love.”
“Yes, she told me all Tara.”
“I will miss her Diana.”
“Come with me, Tara.”
“Tanis told you everything?”
“Yes, everything.”
It was late into the next day when Tanis finished making love to Tara. Taking her into her dream fantasy and beyond. If the exhausted Tara had guessed her identity, she didn’t let on. She kept coming back for more.
When they had finished making love for the last time, Tara whispered, “I love you Diana as deeply as I do Tanis. If it’s possible to love two women at once. I want you to remember me and think of me always in your future life together.”
“I will Tara.” Tanis kissed Tara on her throat with passion. Which left her sleeping in a dream state. With a satisfied smile on her face, a healing injection of venom in her exhausted body, and a dream. A dream which would reveal to her, and to her future children the truth of Tanis. Her alien Vampire lover and her future family’s forever friend.
****
On her way back to Hatton, Tanis stopped off at Kathy’s and let herself into the flat. In silence. She placed Amanda and Helga’s little books together with the paintings. The prints, the bankbook, and a letter on the kitchen table.
Sighing at memories past. Tanis passed the bedroom door on the way out, hearing the distinct slap of a riding crop on bare flesh. Followed by a hushed gasp of ecstasy, then the words from Kathy.
“This will have to be the last time until after our babies are born, Hilary. So, let’s finish this session with a long slow sixty-nine.”
Smiling, Tanis dropped her key into the hallstand tray. Elated by the news, she thought. They must have come back early because of it. Darius, Jean, Tara, and Welland, will be pleased to hear the news.
****
At Hatton, Tanis passed Elizabeth’s door on the way to her bedroom. As she expected she listened to the bedsprings going as Jean persuaded Elizabeth to stay.
****
When Jean and Elizabeth came downstairs for breakfast the next morning, hand in hand. Elizabeth rubbing her wrists and looking a little exhausted said. “Diana, I wish to stay here with Jean and take care of her. I hope you and Tanis won’t mind.”
Diana smiled. “No, we won’t mind Elizabeth.” She took Elizabeth into her arms and kissed her goodbye. Glancing up at Jean she said. “Look after Elizabeth for us Jean. She’s special. I want to meet her again on my return. So too, Kathy, Hilary, Tara, and Shannon. Darius has promised me he will look after Welland.”
“I understand Diana. You’ll be here for Diana and Tanis when they return, won’t you Elizabeth?”
“You can bet my life on it. I owe them both something I can never repay.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth.” Tanis took Jean into her arms and whispered. “I must go now, my daughter. Also, my past best friend.”
“Before you go, mother, know I love you and will miss you. I know too when you return to me, I’ll have another sister to love. I still have my father. Jean thanks you for her new life and says she will miss you too.”
Tanis kissed Jean goodbye. “I owe you a lot Jean. You made all this possible for me, remember that.” She turned and kissed Elizabeth. “I will see you both on my return?”
With tears in her beautiful dark eyes, Elizabeth could only manage one sentence. “Yes Diana, I’ll be here with Jean when you and Tanis return. You can depend on it.”
“I will guarantee it. Mother.” Echoed Jean.
****
Secure and happy. Yet, not alone in her pilot’s seat, Tanis asked Zana to set a course for Tsander. “Come, Zana, let us go. We have food enough for a century and two new eggs to make. Now, at last, we have a family to come home to and a world of our own.”
As Zana lifted, then spread through the night sky towards her goal, her beacons calling. Tanis glanced into the twilight of the Western sky and saw there. Streaking through the atmosphere, the brilliant trails of four meteors. Meteors she knew were not meteors at all, but the remnants of her people. She smiled and asked Zana to switch off her beacons. She’d have no further use for them now until her return. Her people had arrived, and her species had survived. By the colour of the beacon on the leading Starship, a Queen piloted it. She did survive after all. If she’s fertile, Jean will have her sister soon and another two when I return. Rule with strength and kindness dear Mother and make Darius your friend. I will see you on my return… In the by and by.
****
Tanis sleeps now with Diana, her human host on the dark side of the Moon. There she awaits her sixth coming into the world she will rule. A world unsuspected like Mantis, a world Tanis has made her own… A world where she is Queen.
This is not the end. Only a new beginning in the saga of Tanis Queen of Vampires. Scarlett (Vampire).
***
EPILOGUE
**
This book. Written for those who suffer the barbs and arrows of those who should know better. Those who only now are learning what it is to be human in all its forms.
Since the Internet first began, I realised an erotic book such as this had its place in society. The Internet has opened sexuality up, in all its adult forms, to humanity everywhere. This book is only for those adults. Whose fantasies delve into the acceptable world of adult sexual fantasies and fetishes. Whether Heterosexuals, Bisexuals, Gays, or Lesbians who are into bondage. Sex is okay in all forms, but one. The abuse of childhood innocence with sex in mind, by adults who should know better.
There are many interesting variations. Depending on the sexual pleasure we feel for another adult, whoever. We all have our own sexuality. Formed first in our genes and hormones. Then reinforced in the early years of our lives. From adolescent sexual experiences with other children our age. Gained at schools, single gender or otherwise. I believe, our future adult sexuality to be rooted in those early years. It is a normal part of a child’s growing up to let normal feelings of personal pleasure take precedence in our lives then.
Bondage, discipline, and other fantasies. Reinforced first from the captor and captive games we play with each other as compatible adolescent children our age, is normal. Those we find attra
ctive to our play desires as either captor or captive. In all sexual situations. There is always a strong feeling of belonging, either as a dominant or as a submissive partner. Depending on who we capture or who captures us in those games. When adults, we carry these pleasurable childhood fantasies through into our adult sexuality, whatever. As dominant or submissive lovers of pleasurable preference.
As mature adults, there is no wrong in acting out these fantasy dramas with another adult as a sexual encounter. Providing our partners want and enjoy the experience also. The danger lies when adults. Who should know better? Carry their feelings into the unacceptable realm of child sexual abuse. There will always be those who will be outcasts from society. When they show forbidden feelings towards under-age innocent victims as adults. We as responsible adults must punish them. It is offensive and unnatural as an adult to corrupt young children’s minds with adult sex. When at a vulnerable age their brains are still blank canvases, which must not be damaged by unwelcome actions.
When children do explore their different sexual feelings at similar ages. It's accepted as a part of growing up by mature adults, and we should take such feelings as such. Not condemned unless abnormal. We can’t help what we have in our genes or hormones or what we experience as pleasure when children. We must take our developing sexuality as a regular part of our growing up. The human sexual mind is complex and not yet understood. This book is written for those adults who crave sex between adults. In all its fantastic and fetishistic forms. Acted out with other adults in drama form. Whether as captor or captive. In Heterosexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, or Transgender sexual acts. Depending on genetic, hormonal, or adolescence differences. When consenting adults experience fantasy sex in whatever form in private, it is normal. There are millions of adults of all ages. Enjoying adult sex together online now, which proves my point.
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