Marcus's Surrender

Months pass. Marcus Stone continues to investigate the Paradigm, but he’s changed. He’s no longer the same journalist who came to destroy us. He’s drawn to the lifestyle he’s trying to expose.

One evening, he arrives at the estate, his face pale, his hands trembling.

“Ms. Copeland,” he says. “I need to ask you something. I need to ask you something important.”

I led him to the library. Lexi kneels at my feet.

“What is it, Mr. Stone?”

He takes a deep breath. “How do I know? How do I know if this is what I really want?”

I look at him, my eyes meeting his. “You don’t. Not until you try. Not until you surrender. Not until you let go.”

He’s silent for a long moment. Then he says, “I’m scared. I’m so scared.”

“I know, Mr. Stone. I know. But fear is just the other side of desire. And you’ve been desiring this for a long time. You just haven’t admitted it to yourself.”

He looks at me, his eyes filled with tears. “How do I do it? How do I surrender?”

I stand up and walk to him. I take his face in my hands.

“You come to me,” I say. “You kneel before me. You tell me you want to belong. You tell me you want to be seen. You tell me you want to surrender.”

He shivers at my touch. “And then what?”

“And then I will take you. I will own you. I will make you mine.”

He’s silent for a long moment. Then he says, “I think ... I think I’m ready.”

I smile. “I know you are, Mr. Stone. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”