A masked ball, an elegant gown, and an armed guard to keep her where the Overlord could find her. What a lovely event for Hellara.

When her ship’s AI forces a landing on Priznik, Hellara knows that everything around her is about to change, possibly with devastating results. She is pampered, primped and produced in a ballroom with two dozen other women, waiting for a dance with the Overlord of Priznik. Three days of balls and events will occur before he makes his selection of a consort, but what Hellara sees in his eyes makes up her mind on him on day one. She sees behind the Mask of the Overlord in an instant, and now wants to see even more.

Excerpt:

She took a few steps away from him and looked at him in the starlight. She put together the identical bodies, the masks, the motion and suddenly she knew what she was facing. “Proxies.”

He froze and the look he gave her was less than friendly. “I beg your pardon.”

She backed away from him. “You heard what I said. You are perfect in every detail, each one of you exactly the same. You are projections of a singular controller. No wonder you all move the same way. For all intents and purposes, you are the same person.”

He stalked her as she backed toward the garden maze. “In ten years, not one woman has realized that. Hellara Neering, you are something extraordinary.”

She was gearing up to run when he stiffened and straightened. “The ball is over. The guards will take you to your chamber for the night. Return to the ballroom.”

His tone was blank with none of the banter that marked their earlier conversation and the quiet threat was gone as well.

Shaken to the core, she followed the projection into the ballroom and walked into the custody of the guards.

The guards led her to a door and ushered her inside. “The dressers will be here soon to help you out of your gown. Good evening, lady.”

She was left alone in the room and her hands shook while she fought at the clasps holding the mask in place. They refused to give way no matter how much she tugged and her fingers were raw by the time the dressers came in.

“Oh, lady. Stop that. You will hurt yourself. The mask will come off after the third day. Not before.” The dresser rushed to her and pulled her hands away from her scalp.

Breathing quickly, Hellara fought the rush of panic at being trapped in the mask. Two of the dressers helped her out of her gown and slid a gauzy nightgown over her head, brushing her hair out beyond the confines of the mask.

“A meal will be brought to you in the morning, lady. Your gown for tomorrow will be brought to you in the evening. Try and relax, lady. It will all be over soon.”

Hellara thought of the Oracle’s prediction and nodded grimly. “That is what I am afraid of.”