THE VENUSIAN MANTIS, by Teege Braune“It is a curious fact of nature that that which is in plain view is oft best hidden.”
—Donald A. Wollheim, “Mimic”
He leaned in when she spoke and never took his eyes off of hers, never allowed them to roam her body as some were wont to do. He had invited her to Spiaggia as casually as someone might suggest a cup of coffee, laughed open mouthed, flashing wolfishly long teeth, and clutched her arm gently, delighted by her as he was. Most women would have found him painfully good looking. Beneath the broad shoulders, perfectly tailored suit, and prestigious credit card, she was distinctly aware of his pungent scent, a rich, fecund smell almost but not completely hidden by his expensive cologne.
Every table was occupied, and while she would have preferre
