Surrender: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel

By Dayo Benson

Have you ever done something you know you shouldn’t?

Everyone has a limit...
...and Crystal is steadily getting closer to hers. She thought she could escape the SOT, but now they have her and there seems to be no way out. Some people think she has everything, but she knows she has nothing. Is she ever going to break free? And is the mysterious Juda a friend or foe?

Everyone is scared of something...
...and fear is the worst enemy of all. Crystal wants to hold on, but her fears enable the SOT to drag her to darker depths than she ever thought possible; depths from which she must claw her way back if she is ever going to regain her freedom.

The pressure is on, and Crystal must either fight or be broken. It all comes down to one question: Who will she surrender to?

Surrender is a suspenseful Christian Teen and New Adult fiction novel.

Categories: Christian action and adventure, Christian fiction series, Christian paranormal, Christian romance, Christian supernatural fiction, Christian suspense, Christian New Adult fiction, African American Christian fiction, fame and celebrity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dayo Benson
• Release date: Dec 17, 2014

Dayo Benson

Dayo Benson is passionate about using fiction to convey powerful messages about redemption and God's love. When she is not writing she enjoys music, reading and going for long walks. She lives in North West England with her husband and their two beautiful daughters.

Book preview

Crystal

Surrender

A Novel

By

Dayo Benson

Surrender: Crystal 2

© Copyright 2014 by Dayo Benson

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the author. The only exception is brief quotations in a book review.

Some Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Cover design by Amanda Matthews at amdesignstudios.net

Visit the author’s website at www.dayobenson.com

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Synopsis

Everyone has a limit…

…and Crystal is steadily getting closer to hers. She thought she could escape the SOT, but now they have her and there seems to be no way out. Some people think she has everything, but she knows she has nothing. Is she ever going to break free? And is the mysterious Juda a friend or foe?

Everyone is scared of something…

…and fear is the worst enemy of all. Crystal wants to hold on, but her fears enable the SOT to drag her to darker depths than she ever thought possible; depths from which she must claw her way back if she is ever going to regain her freedom.

The pressure is on, and Crystal must either fight or be broken. It all comes down to one question: Who will she surrender to?

Prologue

Luke observed Deicida coolly as he entered his office without knocking. If it had been anyone else—not that anyone else would have dared to do so—Luke would have made him sorry. But certain concessions must be made for one’s own son, Luke guessed.

Deicida placed a Blu-ray disc on the table, and then walked out without a word. Ever garrulous, Luke thought sarcastically. He picked up the disc and slotted it into his computer. Crystal’s face appeared on screen. Ah, a recording of her latest assessment.

Luke rested his chin on his fist. It was amazing how helplessness could transform someone who was normally stubborn and resistant into a meek little lamb. She thought a stalker was after her, thought her life depended on obeying those around her and, as a result, she had been so compliant that she was almost a completely different girl.

Luke smiled. It was time. She was ready.

Chapter 1

A flash of lightning cracked the black sky, illuminating the wet streets for a moment. Trixie Campbell hesitated in the doorway of the university library. She didn’t do thunder storms, especially not in a thin, white Versace dress. She glanced at her watch. She was running late.

Her cell phone shrilled from her purse. Trixie dug it out. Jamie’s name was flashing on the screen. Hey, Jamie, Trixie answered.

Just in case you were considering canceling on your runway debut, just because of the storm, we need the money?

"Just because of the storm? Trixie eyed the rain. It lashed down with such force that each droplet bounced from the ground. She groaned. I want to be a singer not a stupid model."

It’s a means to an end, Jamie replied. You model and make enough money for us to record our album; and hey presto, we upload our album onto the Internet, go viral, and next thing, Columbia records is knocking on our door.

That’s the plan, I guess. They had to hustle now that Crystal had ditched them and was skipping down the road to stardom all by herself.

Good, now get your behind down to that fashion show and walk like your life depends on it. Then come and sing with us after.

Sure thing. Trixie hung up and tucked the phone back into her purse. Then she started tucking her hair into the collar of her dress. The stylists at the fashion show were not going to be impressed if she showed up with an afro rivaling the Jackson Five—put together. She ventured closer to the automatic doors. They swung open and a gust of wind blew some rain in.

Need an umbrella?

The voice was deep, smooth…Trixie spun around, and her eyes met Kyran’s deep dark eyes. She stared at him in shock. What was he doing here, in her University library? He wore a baseball cap low over his eyes, probably in an attempt to ensure he wasn’t recognized. His band had won Searchlight in August. Shouldn’t he be lounging on a yacht somewhere, sipping a cocktail? Or replying fan mail?

Trixie quickly collected herself. Uh, hi. Her heart was doing little flips, but her lips compressed into a hard line. She eyed the umbrella he was holding with disdain. No, thanks.

She stepped out into the rain, desperation to get away from Kyran overwhelming her fear of the storm.

Heavy splashy footsteps sounded behind her then a strong hand closed around her arm. What? Trixie snapped. What are you doing here?

I’ll answer that after you tell me why you’re mad at me.

Trixie yanked her arm out of his grip, annoyance prickling all over her heart. Don’t pretend you don’t know.

I really don’t know, Trixie.

Trixie couldn’t see his face in the darkness, but his voice sounded genuine.

I thought you’d be happy to see me, Kyran said. "After the way we, uh, connected a few months ago."

Trixie felt her cheeks warming. Connected. That was one way of putting it. She’d slept with him, after only knowing him for one day. She cringed when she thought about it now, but at the time she’d been convinced that it was love. Crystal and Jamie had been shocked, but they were prudish little Christians and everything shocked them. It was only after she didn’t hear from Kyran when they returned to New York after the Searchlight auditions that she realized he’d played her for a fool.

Talk to me, Trix, Kyran coaxed, moving closer.

The smell of his musky aftershave, heightened by the rain, tickled her nose. She remembered his smell; musk and man. Trixie shook her head. No, she wasn’t interested in him anymore.

What are you thinking? Kyran asked.

What do you want? Trixie asked weakly. He should just say whatever he wanted to say, and then leave. Maybe he was here to apologize for how he’d dropped her.

I want to make you an offer.

Trixie frowned. He didn’t want to apologize. He wanted to make an offer? She was about to turn her back on him and walk away, then her curiosity got the better of her. An offer?

Yeah, but I’d prefer to make it someplace where I can see your face properly. It’s really important.

I’m not sleeping with you.

Kyran laughed softly. I’m not asking you to. Like I said, it’s something important.

Trixie paused, and then decided that she might as well hear him out. There’s a Starbucks on the next block.

No, I can’t make my offer in a public place.

Trixie’s ears pricked up for any hint of flirting in his tone. There was none. Both relief and disappointment vied for prominence in her heart. She stuffed down her muddled feelings and took the umbrella from his hand. She was getting drenched here. I have to be at a fashion show in thirty minutes, so I’m really late. Maybe you can call me and we can discuss your offer over the phone.

My offer is worth you missing your fashion show, Kyran insisted. You’re modeling to make money to be able to record your music, right? You don’t need to do that if you’ll just give me ten minutes.

Trixie squinted at him, trying desperately to see him. She could only vaguely make out the shadowy outline of his chiseled features. His band, Soul Fugz, had a recording contract now, but that didn’t mean he could make her band famous, too. He was a mere artist on a label, not a record company executive. This had better be good, Kyran.

It’s better than good. He moved to stand under the umbrella with her. Believe me.

Trixie exhaled. Okay.

I live just twenty minutes away, Kyran told her. If you’re happy for us to talk at my place?

Trixie held back a snort. I live two blocks away. We’ll talk there, and it had better be worth my time.

Fine by me, Kyran replied.

As Trixie led the way, she wondered at the wisdom of bringing Kyran to her apartment. Being alone with him in her apartment was a bad move. It can’t be as bad as being alone with him at his place, she told herself.

The walls in her apartment were thin, so if he tried anything untoward she could scream and her whole apartment block would hear.

Thunder groaned and rumbled in the sky. Trixie picked up her pace. Soon they were at her building. She punched in the code on the Intercom and allowed Kyran to walk ahead of her up the stairs to her apartment on the third floor. As he went he removed his hat, which was now soaking wet.

She didn’t really believe he would attack her, but she wanted to believe the worst. Thinking the worst was the only way to stop herself from getting distracted by his puppy dog eyes, which she could now see clearly since they were indoors, and his black hair that the rain had caused to form deep waves; and his smooth olive skin.

She dragged her mind away from that dangerous train of thought and focused on his height and the breadth of his chest. He was a big guy. She opened the door to her apartment and stood aside to let him enter first. She didn’t want a big guy like him behind her where he could pounce.

Kyran twitched a brow. Ladies first.

You first, Trixie snapped.

He entered the apartment. Trixie entered after him and winced as she shut the door. Shutting herself in with the enemy. His offer had better be darn good for her band.

She didn’t lock the door, just in case she needed to make a quick escape, or people needed to rescue her if she started screaming. She looked at Kyran. He was staring at her, his eyes wide.

What? Trixie asked.

He blinked, and then cleared his throat. Nothing.

Trixie looked down at herself and her eyes widened in horror. Her white dress was soaked with rain and had gone completely transparent, showing her lacy underwear. She jabbed a finger at the opposite door. That’s the den.

Kyran smirked and then entered the den. Trixie hurried to her bedroom. How embarrassing! She surveyed the damage in her full length mirror. The rain had made her dress completely transparent. She may as well have been standing before Kyran in her underwear.

Well, at least she was wearing a nice pink matching set. She smiled to herself as she changed into dry clothes: sweatpants and a tank top. She twisted her wet tangled hair into a knot, grimacing at the thought of how long it would take her to tease it out of this mass of tight curls into the sleek straight style she liked to wear it in.

When she joined Kyran in the den, he was sitting in the love seat. He smiled when she walked in, his gaze sliding over her from head to toe. Trixie felt a shiver whisper through her heart. What was that look about? Was he still interested in her? She snorted internally. Why did she care?

Your offer? she reminded him coldly. She sat across the room from him.

We need a supporting act when we go on tour in December, and I said I’d get one, Kyran said. I’m assuming you’re still in a band, and that your band is good even without Crystal.

A heavy bitter feeling soured Trixie’s stomach as she momentarily remembered the way Crystal had dumped their band on Searchlight. The judges had said that she was the talent of the band and that Trixie and Jamie looked like back up dancers, not fellow band members.

Trixie had always felt slightly jealous of Crystal. Crystal had everything going for her: born into millions, living in a mansion in the Hamptons, first car was a Mercedes, first job was in daddy’s restaurant. Trixie had always managed to temper her jealousy since Crystal was her best friend, but how could she not feel jealous after the judges made comments like that, comparing them and grading Crystal better. And it was on TV. The whole nation saw it and probably looked at Trixie and Jamie with disdain.

We have a new band member, Trixie said, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice. We’ve replaced Crystal.

With who?

Nobody you know.

How good a singer is she?

Trixie shrugged. She’s fair. Alto voice, good vocal range and style. Trixie wiped away rainwater that was trickling from her hair and down the side of her face. But why would people who’ve come to see a boy band be interested in a girl band? The audience will probably be full of girls. They’ll want a male supporting act.

Not if you’re good. Kyran looked around. You don’t have any roommates or anything?

Trixie’s eyes narrowed. Why?

Because I don’t want anyone overhearing what I’m about to tell you.

Suddenly, his eyes were ablaze with an intensity that made Trixie shrink back, pressing her back to the back of the sofa. What is it?

I want to share something with you that will change your life.

Trixie’s curiosity was piqued by his words and the conviction with which he said them. Go on. I don’t have any roommates.

Searchlight was a set-up, he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. Crystal was supposed to win, but she kept resisting the help and guidance she was being given, so Soul Fugz was chosen to win instead.

Trixie frowned. Didn’t the public vote for the winner of Searchlight?

We’re all in an organization called the Sareli Orientis Telma which means ‘the enlightened’.

The SOT? Trixie asked, her mind working.

You know about it?

Crystal used to tell us about it whenever we talked about our band becoming famous. She used to say we needed to avoid them because her parents had bad experiences with them when they were younger.

And your personal view on the matter? Kyran asked.

Trixie smiled for the first time since running into him that evening. If I knew where they were I’d go and ask them what I need to do in order for them to make me famous. She shrugged. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but to get ahead you need to do whatever it takes.

She wasn’t prepared for the intensity of Kyran’s smile. You are fantastic, Trixie. Most people get squeamish about things like this.

His words sent a bolt of pleasure through Trixie’s heart. She shoved it down immediately.

This first meeting with you was supposed to be just an introduction to the idea, Kyran continued. But since you’re ready, I’m going to tell you everything.

Trixie leaned forward, hungry to hear what he was going to say. If he was here to invite her to join the SOT, so that they could make her a star, it would be all she could do to not burst with joy.

If you watched Searchlight, Kyran said, you must have noticed how Crystal looked like she was head and shoulders better than everyone else: more talented, more beautiful—

Trixie’s heart stuttered when he said ‘beautiful’. Trixie had been so used to Crystal downplaying her beauty, and always used to tell her to make more of an effort. But that day during the Searchlight auditions when Crystal went to a salon to have her hair and makeup done, she’d come back looking like another person. Like a star. Like her gorgeous ex-supermodel mom.

Crystal looked so good, Kyran continued, because the SOT made her look good. All the SOT artists were eating separate meals, having confidence building classes, having their hair and makeup done by experts. We were given all the support we needed to look better. That way, there was no need to rig the votes. The public voted for whoever looked the best, and whoever was presented as the most talented.

Trixie nodded slowly as the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. During Searchlight, Crystal had always been disappearing, only showing up for rehearsals. She’d thought it was because she was grieving the loss of her brother.

Trixie, Crystal is not better than you, Kyran said softly.

The words were like a balm to the wound that going on Searchlight had opened in her heart. She soaked the words up like a barren land receiving a drop of rain.

She was just presented as better, Kyran said. Anybody can look like the best if they have the right team around them.

Fresh loathing churned in her belly towards Crystal. America’s sweetheart, who’d ditched her friends on the road to stardom and then ditched Searchlight and signed with Discovery Music, whose debut single was currently sitting at the top of the charts and was the talk of the nation. Crystal wasn’t better than her. She just knew the right people.

How do I join? she asked abruptly. How do my band and I join?

Kyran sighed. Being in the SOT is great, but it’s not always easy—

I don’t care. I want to join.

Kyran looked around the room as though checking that they were still alone. Then he lowered his voice. Caleb had to die for Crystal to get in.

Shock stole Trixie’s breath. She stared at Kyran. He couldn’t be telling the truth.

She didn’t want to do it, Kyran said. And she thought he died because she refused to join initially, but between you and me, he would have died anyway. Once the SOT is interested in you, someone close to you has to die. Their blood gives you the right of passage into the organization.

Trixie felt sick, but what did she expect? The SOT wasn’t a country club. They were a celebrity cult and they were serious about what they did.

She realized that Kyran was watching her. She inhaled deeply. She couldn’t act afraid. She couldn’t act like she couldn’t handle this.

I’m only telling you this because I see in you a drive to win, he told her quietly. A drive to succeed. You have the seed of greatness in you.

Trixie nodded, pushing Caleb’s sweet face out of her mind. If she needed a sacrifice she would choose her good for nothing dad who was always in and out of their lives. She hated that man for the way he treated her mom. A tickle ran around the corners of her mind and a sense of calmness washed over her. She looked at Kyran with resolve. How do I join?

You’re already a member.

Trixie frowned.

I’m so sorry about this, he said. During Searchlight I probed whether you were suitable. I thought that you were so I… He trailed off and his gaze lowered.

Slept with me? Trixie asked, understanding dawning. That was my initiation?

Yes.

You cut off some of my hair. At the time Trixie had thought it was just a romantic gesture and she’d been mad when Crystal and Jamie had said it was weird. Deep down she’d known it was weird, but she’d never suspected that he could be a cultist.

I used your hair to test your DNA. You have some of the right patterns that the SOT looks for.

Trixie knew she should be angry about his deception, but she only felt grateful. And hopeful.

They’ve been watching you since then, making plans for you. Reading your mind and thought patterns. Kyran smiled. You think about wealth and fame an awful lot.

Alarm clanged in Trixie’s mind. Reading my mind?

Yeah. Kyran shrugged. Did you feel that tickle in your mind just now? I read your mind to see whether you were really accepting everything I’m saying. You are.

Trixie tried not to feel freaked out, but…she was.

Don’t worry, you’ll learn how to do all these things too when you become a full member, and you’ll know how to barricade your mind so that nobody can read it.

Trixie nodded slowly. She’d be enlightened like Kyran. She felt a tickle in her head again.

Yes, you’ll be enlightened, he said, voicing her thoughts. You’ll get all the hidden knowledge and become a superior human being, awakened to a higher level of consciousness.

Trixie froze. You read my mind again?

Yeah.

Stop it, Trixie snapped.

Okay. Kyran grinned. Anyway, there’s talk of Saleisha Brown joining your band and you guys becoming the next big girl group.

Saleisha? She’d been another contestant on Searchlight. She’s SOT?

Yup.

Trixie nodded. I’d be happy to work with her.

Get rid of your other band member. You, Saleisha and Jamie will support Soul Fugz on our tour. Those will be your debut performances. After that, the sky is the limit for you guys.

Trixie beamed unable to believe what she was hearing.

You will have to initiate Jamie. You know her better than I do so that’s your job.

Trixie nodded slowly. It would be hard since Jamie was a Christian and hated anything that even looked like it might be questionable. But she would do it. Jamie would thank her later once they were stars.

She looked at Kyran. What if I’d been unreceptive tonight?

I’ve already initiated you so you would have had no choice.

But what if I refused?

Your memory would have been wiped and you would have been forced to cooperate. But we like to present things to people as though they have a choice, so that they have the chance to cooperate willingly. And I’m glad you’re willing.

So she had no choice? The thought gave her a sense of security. That meant the SOT wasn’t going to change their mind about her. She was theirs and they were going to make her a star.

She looked at Kyran. His dark eyes lured her in as they always had. She could kiss him for everything he’d just told her. She could kiss him for sleeping with her during the auditions and initiating her without her knowledge. In fact, she would happily sleep with him again if it meant that the deal would be sealed even more.

Trixie smirked internally. She’d sleep with him again even if it meant nothing. He was insanely hot after all.

He winked at her. Just say the word, Trixie, and I’ll do anything you want.

Trixie frowned. Her cheeks warmed. You read my thoughts? She didn’t feel a tickle this time.

Kyran grinned. I don’t need to read your thoughts when your eyes are already telling me everything.

Donovan clung to the shadows, watching Kyran and Trixie through the window. He turned away when they started kissing. He’d heard all he needed to hear. He tested the drainpipe to ensure it was still sturdy after bearing his weight when he climbed up. It was. He moved to the edge of the balcony and wrapped his hands and legs around the drainpipe. He shimmied down trying to be as quiet as he could, the storm swallowing any sounds he did make. A few moments later he dropped to the ground, his feet light and making only a faint crunch.

He’d come thinking that Kyran might tell Trixie where Crystal was, and what was happening to her, but he hadn’t. But what Donovan had learned tonight was still highly useful. Donovan had been told little since failing that test a few months ago. He couldn’t spit on the cross. He didn’t claim to be religious, but there were some things he wouldn’t do, couldn’t do. His Christian grandparents had influenced him in many ways. And now that they had passed on, he didn’t want to do anything they wouldn’t approve of.

But would he have done it if Crystal hadn’t been there to refuse and strengthen his resolve to refuse too? That was a question he would never know the answer to. Sometimes he wished he had just done it. He’d still be in favor if he had. He wouldn’t have to be shimmying up drainpipes to find out what was going on.

Donovan hurried through the rain to the car he’d rented. He hadn’t used his own car because Kyran would have recognized it. He jumped inside and started driving, questions bobbing around his mind. Crystal had done a few TV interviews since she’d disappeared, and she looked okay to the untrained eye, but he could tell something was wrong. She wasn’t herself. And Donovan didn’t buy that she’d lost her memory in a car accident. The SOT must have wiped it, just as they’d done to Paul.

How do I find out what’s going on? Donovan grimaced. He was out of favor, so he needed an ally; someone to rub minds with. Now that Grayson was dead and Paul had been released, Crystal was the only person he could form an alliance with. An alliance to do what? Thwart the SOT?

Donovan laughed shortly. That was impossible. Maybe he just wanted someone to talk to. Like they said, misery liked company. He could see things getting harder for him in the future. He’d like someone to commiserate with.

Twenty minutes later, he pulled up outside Paul’s inner-city apartment. When Paul opened the door Donovan felt a sense of grief. Paul’s eyes were vacant, his expression was impersonal. Donovan clenched a fist. The SOT was sick to do this to Paul. Twisted and sick.

Donovan? Paul asked.

Donovan managed a smile at the fact that Paul remembered him today. Yes. Can I come in?

Paul stepped aside. Donovan entered the house. Guilt hammered all the way down his spine and flooded in his heart. He had initiated Paul into the SOT because he wanted him as his personal songwriter. When Paul had refused to spit on the cross too, Luke had decided to get rid of him since the SOT had never really wanted him anyway.

Paul had been colluding with Grayson, an SOT rebel who was now dead. Luke ordered that Paul’s memory be wiped of the past few months and he be released. Paul remembered nothing of his time in the SOT, or of any of the members.

You’re here to help me remember? Paul asked leading the way to the den.