Malevolent Mermaid of the Caribbean

 Santianna will take your soul

The Inspiration:

Many legends come out of the Caribbean, with many that still believe in spirits, evil mermaids, voodoo, and other local tales. Living on the island of Grand Cayman for nine years, I have heard many of these, which sparked my interest, and most of all, listening firsthand about a paranormal experience from a woman who was renting a condo in the same complex my husband and I had rented for a year.

Not many would listen to her accounts of a strange entity taking possession of her body and soul. She found me, and I was one she seemed to trust. I had made recordings of her incidents and many notes, knowing that I would someday write a story that had been based on some of these accounts.

Santianna:

This exotic beauty is a legend among the people of Jamaica and the Caymans, yet some would only get to know her when they were fighting for their lives or happened to be victims of her next feeding.

Having been scorned many years ago by her fiancé, a seaman who jilted her, Santianna threw herself into the sea but was rescued by a family of Mer People who saved her life only to transform her into an evil mermaid who would become immortal by taking the souls of males. Right after Hurricane Ivan hit Grand Cayman in 2004, the waters unearthed her presence, and with her powers intensified, she set her sights on a small resort on the east end of Grand Cayman.

The Rescue of Tessa Malone:

Tessa and her husband had booked a suite at Paradise Palms in Grand Cayman for their honeymoon and were snorkeling out by the reef when Tessa lost sight of her husband and hit her head on the reef. Beginning to drown, she found herself being saved by Santianna—or at least she thought she was.

An Excerpt from Night Mistress of Paradise Palms:

She could see a faint white mist in the distance and feel a slight breeze picking up. Hearing what sounded like someone humming a tune caused her to muster enough energy to raise her head to see if it was a storm. The white mist took on the form of a waterspout and moved at a steady speed toward her. The humming became clearer but was subtle—one that reminded her of a lullaby she remembered hearing when she was a child. As the mist came closer, Tessa could see it emerge into the transparent form of a woman encased in a golden aura. “Don’t fear my lady. I am here to save you.” The apparition seemed to float on the water as she was now about two feet from Tessa.

“Who... who are you?”

“I am Santianna,” answered the apparition. I was in the water when your husband drowned you.” Her body wavered as she spoke, her long dark locks moved like serpentine snakes in the breeze. “I’m so sorry what happened to you.”

“No! He couldn’t! Not my Joe! And why didn’t you try to save me if you were there?”

“I could not. I couldn’t change your destiny, my dear. All I can do is promise to keep your spirit alive until you have found a way to cross over. You have unfinished business here; your life was taken too soon.”

“Are you an angel?” Tessa asked.

“You may have heard of me. I’m more of an enigma. I am a Sea Goddess. I hail from Jamaica. It’s been eons ago that I was murdered in these same waters, by a man, whom I thought loved me too. Now I help souls in need who meet an untimely death. I’m not sure you’ve heard the legends.”

Santianna positioned herself next to Tessa. Her body had now solidified into a full female figure, but one far from normal. Her bluish skin and radiant golden eyes belonged to that of a creature not of this earthly realm. Santianna moved her long slender hands over Tessa’s body while golden sparks shot off from her heavy bronze cuff bracelets on each arm. She hummed that same calming tune Tessa was familiar with. It was haunting, yet comforting. “You should be feeling the vibrations now, my lady. Relax, and let them come. Accept this gift.”

Tessa was too weak yet to comment but closed her eyes and succumbed to Santianna’s commands. What felt like piercing needles under her skin soon turned to a radiant heat that ran from her head down through her toes. Her pale skin began to take on some color. She found herself strong enough to sit up fully, taking in more of her surroundings and trying to comprehend what was happening. She glared at this apparition trying to figure out what kind of spirit she was. “You... you are doing this for me because...”

“Because I have been wronged long ago, just as you have my dear. You will join me in reclaiming justice.”

“But if I’m dead, I want to cross over! When will that be?” Tessa locked eyes with Santianna. Her mind was still a blur over what had happened.

“Once you have captured the souls of seven males. This will be your fuel to enable you to pass on. During that time, you will be bound to this area and will cleanse this place of years of wrongdoings. It’s the only way.”

“But if I’m dead, I want to cross over! When will that be?” Tessa locked eyes with Santianna. Her mind was still a blur over what had happened.

“Once you have captured the souls of seven males. This will be your fuel to enable you to pass on. During that time, you will be bound to this area and will cleanse this place of years of wrongdoings. It’s the only way.”

Tessa gave Santianna an incredulous look. “Just how long will that take?”

“It’s up to you. There are many guests at the Trade Winds. You can steal one each night or take as long as you need.”

“And how do I go about this?”

“It will come naturally. You are now in spirit form and a sexual enchantress. Your victims will view you as a transparent being whom

they will desire to have their bodies ravished. You will find this to be rejuvenating for you. With each soul capture, you will gain more strength which will help you cross over more easily. Your power has been gifted through me.”

“And what about Joe? He needs to suffer. What will happen to him?” Tessa voiced concern.

“That my dear will be taken care of. Justice will come, trust me.”

“So, I’ll remain out here at sea for all this time?”

“Yes, just as foam on the water until darkness falls and you will find your nourishment in the night off a living male. You will come to enjoy it—you will see.”

“And where shall you be? Will I see you again?”

“I will be here, but you will not see me until your journey is done. I’ll be the one who will be escorting you to the other side. Until then, my sister, find solace in the sleep you so need to begin your journey. Praise be the goddess!”

Read this story in its entirety in the Supernatural Thriller Night Mistress of Paradise Palms. Available in eBook and print.

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