As if reading Anna’s thoughts, Sister Shereen stepped forward. She drew Anna off to the side. Kneeling down, she took the young woman’s gaze into her own. “Listen to me, Anna. It is not for you to go. You must stay. And you must believe in the rightness of your remaining among the Sisters,” she told her. She then lifted Anna’s hand and drew her closer. “But know this,” she added, dropping her voice to a whisper. “The blood that runs through my veins, runs also through yours. Be assured of yourself and of the path that lies ahead.”

Anna was startled by her words. And by the force with which Shereen had spoken. She started to ask Shereen what she had meant, but Sister Joan stepped forward and guided her charge through the doorway.

Anna stood high on a rock promontory. From there she watched Sisters Joan and Shereen making their way toward the distant horizon. Seeing them so exposed, it suddenly dawned on her that the Sisters would do better to put more resources into protecting those who traveled to the outside world rather than into those who remained within the safety of the caves.

Thinking this, she grew agitated and began to pace as anguishing thoughts crept through her mind.

Why had she not offered to travel with Sister Shereen?

Could she not have helped her fulfill her destiny?

Could she not have protected her from those who wished to suppress The Way?

But now it was too late!

Furious at her failure, Anna slapped a handful of stones into her sling and was about to fire them off when a hand fell along her shoulder.

Spinning with a gasp, she found Mother Susana standing alongside her. She marveled that she had not heard the old woman’s approach.

Mother Susana gave a smile, but she looked tired.

Anna felt the thoughts roiling through her mind grow still.

Together, they stared in silence, watching the women depart. Beyond them, the vista unfolded like a fabric sewn with muted colors—chalk, sand, and clay. Above the land, the sky was inking from silver to blue.

Finally, Mother Susana spoke. “Some days I feel so uncertain,” she said.

Anna started. She could not imagine Susana being doubtful. “About what are you uncertain?” she asked.

The old woman closed her eyes as if trying to see beyond the present. She bit her lip with anxious teeth. “I am uncertain about the future of The Way. And whether or not I am serving it honorably. And effectively.”

Anna’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “But what about all the Awakeners you have sent into the world?”

“Yes,” Susana mused. She ran thoughtful fingers around the perimeters of her two medallions—hers and Zahra’s. “Sometimes I worry that all we are doing is sending sheep to the wolves,” she said.

Anna gazed toward Shereen. But the Sister was gone from view. Anna shuddered.