Afflicted by classic paranoia the self-styled Master & God sees enemies everywhere. As he vents his suspicions no one is safe. A reluctant hero Gaius Vinius Clodianus is h&-picked for high rank in the Praetorian Guard a brave man striving for decency in a world of corruption & deceit. Flavia Lucilla tending the privileged women at court hears the intimate secrets of a ruler who plays with the lives of his subjects as if he were indeed a careless god. In the dark shadow of Domitian's reign Clodianus & Lucilla play out their own complex tale of resilience friendship & love. Unwilling witnesses to Domitian's descent into insanity these ordinary people must choose between their sworn duty to protect the Emperor & an act of courage that will change the future of Rome.