Book excerpt: Like other Mistems, Skylar has spent her life under the rule of Haeltons. But she never finds it easy to live with her head down, hardly noticed, with the rest of her race. When she catches the attention of a powerful Haelton, Skylar receives the opportunity she’s always hoped for—in a way she least expected. To bring her people out of their hiding, Skylar must learn to live with her overlords and play their game of wars by creating her own rules. If she survives the attempt.