Rags to Riches: The Story of a Self-Made Success

sketched earlier-the lone figure in the storm-seemed to gaze back at her with hollo

ate. But no matter how hard she tried, her strokes felt wrong. Her

n't wait for

beside her, its symbols pul

it away, to rid herself of whatever strange power it held. B

key to everything

ent a shiver

buzzed, pulling he

Ca

ering. The unknown number

el

me voice from before-the one who

come t

tened on the pho

t. What matters is t

nded. "Why shoul

t offering you a gift. He

d hard. "What

every masterpiece comes at a price. Those who possess it

ed. "What are yo

e his choice long ago. Now, he's looking for someon

ran cold. "

m

ne wen

he phone, her

ias us

ndant again, its glow

k at t

ed through t

ed in her chest as she appr

anding outside. She was dressed in a sleek black

oman called, her voice

e door slowly.

ge. "Detective Sarah Knox.

n surprise. "D

was serious. "It's

ipped a beat. "

I com

stepping aside to le

nning the room. Her gaze lingered on the pend

ow Elias Morro

"He... approached me.

. "I thought so. Yo

d. "What do

nds artists, gives them that pendant, and they create some of the m

chill run do

ar?" she

a trace. Others... well, let's just

at doesn't make any sens

use the Muse's Heart doesn't

Wa

the pendant,

s to them?"

comes more than just paint on canvas. But in return, they

nausea. "Why are y

to walk away," Sarah said. "But

red to the pendant

ed. "Then you'll meet the

er fists. "I do

lt it, haven't you? The whispers. The shadow

in her throat. She

y it," Sarah said.

hat if it's the key to ever

hardened. "

Deci

ne sat in silence, s

wind of emotions-fea

sacrificed for her art. The sleepless

y willing to

tly in her hand, its g

e picked up her brush and began to p

the strokes of her brush b

ly stepped bac

plete-but it wasn't

ge of a cliff, staring into a swirling abyss. He

oming in the shado

through the apa

lowly, her he

n't need to look t

ew who

voice called fro

ime to