Author's Notes
Sirens
Sirens were inspired by a nature documentary, where there was a shot from a shark cage among some kelp. In the distance, a shadow moved, then suddenly turned and attacked the camera. It came so fast, and opened an impossibly big mouth full of sharp teeth, and had those dead shark eyes. It was such a striking scene which stuck in my mind.
So, when I did the merfolk, I wanted a monster version, and that shark came to my mind. Some test images with the AI, and I loved it.
I kept their relationship with the merfolk as an open mystery. Perhaps they are relatives, perhaps not. You decide. Or not.
Just remember the sirens the next time you go swimming in the ocean...