The Empusa

The Empusa is a shape-shifting monster in Greek myth who was often depicted as a beautiful woman, who transforms into a creature with sharp teeth, flaming hair, and (in some tales) bat wings. She hungers for male human flesh.

Empusa was said to be a demigoddess under the control of the goddess Hecate. The Empusa would often seduce young men traveling alone. Having taken the form of a woman, they would sleep with the man, sapping their strength. Once the unsuspecting youth was fast asleep, the creature would shift into her hideous form and devour his flesh and drink the blood for sustenance. The Empusa is probably best known for terrifying the god Dionysus as he travels to the underworld.