Anika Hegner comes from a long line of Danish colonists on the island St. Thomas. She is pure Dane, except for a drop of Jumbee blood, straight from the Dark Continent. Since childhood, she has delighted in shape shifting to a black cat and scaring the unwary. Now, as she struggles to reconcile her dual heritage, she discovers a taciturn Army veteran trespassing on her family's abandoned estate on the wild south coast of the island. This is where she goes to be quiet and alone; angrily, she orders the intrusive Mike Stiles to leave. She magically places toads in his camp site to encourage his departure. But he won't go. He finally shares that he is on the island for only a short time to help an Army comrade who heads the anti-drug division of the police. Mike says he must find a dangerous drug smuggler and warns her to stay clear of the estate until the man is caught. She refuses, but promises to remain silent, and later confirms with her father that Mike's story is true. Meanwhile, she focuses her attentions on an eye-catching Latino new to the island who is a dream to dance with. The Latino, Santiago Morales, is indeed charming and handsome, and he is, as he tells Anika, expanding the family business to St. Thomas. But he is far from the usual businessman. Drug smuggling, fast cars, and beautiful women are his passions. To celebrate his arrival on the island, Santiago plans to romance Anika and murder Mike Stiles.