Betters are enhanced humans whose pheromones can addict and whose voices put a human in thrall.
Now regulated by the imperial government, they must wear an electronic veil that alters their voices and removes their pheromones.
Excerpt
Alitus tilted back his head and set a hand atop the veil to keep it from slipping.
Prentice, the android servant and bodyguard of the Empress, towered over everyone.
"What do you want?"
"Her Majesty asked me to watch over you." Though never far from the Empress, Prentice did not make his presence obvious. Easy to forget he was there.
"You've watched me. Tell her I don't need a watchdog. I will do my duty."
"Is the veil heavy? You keep lowering your head."
"No." Alitus adjusted the hang across his shoulders and pulled it away from his body in front. "It's hot. I can hardly breathe."
"Perhaps you should turn it on."
"What?" Alitus held the veil against his face so he could better see. "It's hard to hear."
"Touch the inner brim above your right ear."
Alitus stroked one finger along the edge and found a series of small bumps.
"Press them from front to back to increase the cooling effect."
Bracing himself for a breeze, Alitus touched the first bump. Instead, the humidity lessened. He took the first deep breath he'd been able to draw since donning the garment. "Thank you."
"The bumps about a finger's width above them adjust visibility. Did no one show you how to operate it?"
"No. I didn't know there was anything else to it." Alitus touched the upper controls; the room's brightness increased by half. He tapped the others in sequence until his view of the veil disappeared. "Is this still opaque?" He held up a hand. "I can see every stitch in my glove."
"You'll be able to see in any lighting, but no one will be able to see you."
"Great. I'll be invisible."
Prentice leaned toward him. "Almost like an android."
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