SONG RECOMMENDATION: Survivor by Edda Hayes
(Present)
Fantasy was real. It wasn't just an ancient legend or a bedtime story. Vampires existed, along with werewolves, angels, and demons. Everything people chose to ignore—everything dismissed as figments of the imagination—was true. And just as real was the fact that Stella Winchester was a mermaid.
Stella lived in a world where shadows held secrets, and the night pulsed with life even as the day shone brightly. Most humans moved about oblivious to the creatures lurking just beyond their vision, beings who slipped between the cracks of reality and myth. But Stella knew better. She was part of that hidden world. In this world, there was a strict hierarchy, one that decided who held power and who would be subject to it.
At the top were the vampires. They were ancient, powerful predators, feared by humans in the dark. With abilities to control minds and break bodies, they were practically untouchable. Below them were the witches, masters of magic as old as time, drawing powers from the earth, stars, and elements. Though they might lack physical strength, their spells and curses made them a formidable force in second place.
Then came the werewolves, creatures driven by instinct and bound to the cycles of the moon. Fierce and loyal, their pack mentality made them dangerous, even if they didn't rank as high in power. And humans? Fragile—easily deceived, easily broken.
And then there were mermaids like Stella, caught somewhere in between. They didn't fit neatly into this hierarchy, beings of both land and sea, powerful in a way that transcended magic or physical might. Mermaids drew their strength from the ocean and all its mysteries. They were beautiful in a way that nothing else was. Stella's hair was softer than silk, a treasure coveted by many. But there were darker things people wanted from her kind.
But this allure made mermaids prey. Werewolves saw them as a feast, believing that eating mermaid flesh could grant them strength. Every part of Stella was desired, and nowhere was truly safe. She knew this better than most.The most sinister desire was for their blood. To vampires, mermaid blood wasn't just sustenance; it was an elixir of life, capable of extending their years and amplifying their powers to unimaginable heights. Legends whispered of an even greater treasure: when mermaid blood mingled with seawater, it could create red pearls—gems so rare and mesmerizing they eclipsed anything found on land.
Stella's existence was both a blessing and a curse, her very being a treasure and a target. To the world, she was a myth come to life; to some, she was prey. And yet, in her heart, she carried the wild, untamable spirit of the ocean—an unyielding force no hunter could truly capture.
As she sat in a small café, her thoughts drifted as she watched humans go about their day, blissfully unaware of the secrets around them. Falcon, the barista, set a cup of coffee on her table, part of her daily ritual—a small comfort to anchor her in a world that constantly tried to pull her under.
"Thanks, Falcon," she murmured, not looking up as she continued typing on her laptop, focused on a resignation letter she was preparing. After everything her boss had tried to pull—the harassment, the manipulation—she knew it was time to leave. She had tried reporting him, but the system had failed her, protecting men like him. She was left with no choice but to walk away.
As minutes passed, the café filled with quiet chatter. Falcon returned, his expression troubled as he scanned the room, glancing back at her.
"The guy in the corner is asking about you," he said in a low voice, nodding toward a man sitting across the room.
Stella looked up, her greenish blue eyes meeting the man's gaze. He appeared to be in his late thirties, and the gleam in his eyes made her stomach twist with unease. She recognized that look, one that had followed her for as long as she could remember. Being a mermaid wasn't just about magic; it came with a beauty that pulled people in, whether she wanted their attention or not.
She sighed, her fingers moving quickly to gather her things. She wasn't staying for this. Pulling some cash from her purse, she handed it to Falcon for the coffee, then rose, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
But as she took a few steps toward the exit, the man blocked her path, his hand reaching out and gripping her wrist tightly enough to make her flinch.
"You didn't reply," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Stella stayed calm, even as her heart pounded in her chest. She slowly raised her left hand, showing the beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
"I'm married," she said firmly. "And I would rather die than betray my husband."
The man's eyes flicked to the ring, and for a brief moment, he hesitated. The diamond caught the light, a reminder of the vow she had made to Simon Winchester. It was enough to give him pause, but only for an instant.
Without another word, Stella pulled her hand free from his grip, disgust and anger flaring within her. She didn't look back as she pushed past him and stepped outside into the cool air. The tension in her chest loosened slightly, but the unease didn't fade. Men like him never stopped.
But one thing remained certain: she belonged to Simon, and no man, no matter how much he desired her, could change that.
As she walked, Stella thought back over the trials she had faced in life. More than most people could ever imagine. She wasn't just a beautiful face or a mythical creature to be admired from afar. She was a survivor, shaped by the fires she'd been through. No matter what challenges the world threw at her, she would always find a way to rise above them.
Later, as she collapsed onto the cushions of her couch, her gaze drifted upward to the ceiling, searching for answers in the silence that now pressed heavily around her. But the quiet couldn't stifle the memories that flooded her mind, memories she had fought to bury. No matter how much time had passed, the past always had a way of creeping back.
Her thoughts returned to nine years ago, when she had been just eighteen. Back then, the world had felt so simple, full of dreams not yet marred by harsh realities. And it was during that time, in those youthful, hopeful years, that she had met him.
Simon Winchester. Her husband.
Even now, just thinking his name sent a shiver down her spine, a mixture of love and fear, of passion and something darker. Simon had always been an enigma, a mystery cloaked in charm, a man who could make her feel safe and vulnerable at once. His presence was undeniable, his dark intensity impossible to ignore.
At first, she hadn't fully understood what he was. She had simply been drawn to him, captivated by his piercing gaze and the power he seemed to wield with such quiet confidence. Simon had a way of commanding attention without speaking a word. Women adored him, men feared and respected him, and yet, out of everyone, he had chosen her.
Stella hadn't known what loving him would cost her. But she had fallen, and she had fallen hard. And now, as she lay surrounded by shadows, Simon's presence lingered in her mind, like a flame she could never quite extinguish, forever lighting the depths of her memory.