Page 1 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

Prologue

Briar - 8 years old

How can something so lovely yet haunting exist in a world filled with tears and pain? I can't tear my eyes away from the towering, white statue before me. His arms stretch upward toward the sky as if reaching for something precious, afraid it might slip away. His wings are spread out wide, majestic, and intimidating.

It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen — and I don’t even know what it is.

I feel soft, long fingers wrap around my wrist, preventing me from walking toward the beautiful statue. I can't help it; it is calling me. I turn to Amaura and give her a sheepish grin. My parents have hired multiple nannies since I was born, but Amaura is the one who sticks because she is my favorite. She is the only one who plays with me, never screams at me, and always takes care of me. I spend more time with her than with my parents. She doesn't know this, but sometimes I wish she were my mom. Even though she is way older than me, she is my best friend!

“Sorry,” I grin at her scowl.

“You can't keep wandering off, my darling. If you want to stop to look at something, you let me know,” she reprimands me with a sigh.

I nod before turning my attention back to the statue. “Who is he, Amaura? He's so pretty.”

“Why, it's an angel,” Amaura says with a small smile. “Some people believe angels are extraordinary beings sent by a powerful force to watch over us and keep us safe.”

“So they're there to protect us?” I ask, furrowing my brows as I approach the angel statue.

Amaura nods and looks around. She spots a bush with white flowers and plucks one before returning to my side. She smiles and gives me the flower.

I stare at the flower and then at her. I blink. What am I supposed to do with this?

“Some people like to leave gifts on these statues to show respect or thanks. Do you want to give this flower to him?” Amaura asks.

I take the flower and nod. “Okay! If I give him this flower, will he be my friend and play with me?”

“I'm sure he would love to be your friend, Briar.”

“What’s his name?” Amaura looks at the angel for a second, furrowing her brows. “I’m not sure which angel this is, my darling. I don’t know if he has a name.”

I gasp. That’s not right! “He has to have a name,” I say, looking back at the statue. “Hmm… Angel. His name is Angel.”

“What a creative name.”

“Do you actually believe he'll watch over me?" I ask.

“Why not? If I have some guardian angel watching over me, I want to thank them."

I gasp. "For what?"

Amaura swoops down and tickles my sides, making me squeal and almost drop the flower.

"For giving me the patience to deal with you!" she teases as I try to slap her hand away.

She chuckles and lets me go. I look down at the flower, twirling it between my fingers. I don't want to go back home. If I do, Mommy and Daddy will be there and make me do stuff I don’t want. I would rather play with Amaura instead.

I look up at the angel and smile. Will he save Amaura and me from the monsters my parents invite over?

I gently place the flower on the angel’s feet. “There. Hopefully, he will protect you and me.”

“You’re the sweetest, Briar. But remember that you must watch out and protect yourself at the end of the day, too.”

I roll my eyes but nod. “Yes. Is there a store? I want to see if they have any angel stuffed animals!”

She sighs, “Briar, darling, I don’t think your parents will appreciate me taking you inside a random church. They’re not religious.”

“Oh,” I try not to pout. “I just think he’s so pretty. I want him to come home with me.”

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