Chapter 35
When Isika opened her eyes, Jabari could see the slight shimmery look that meant she had visited with Nenyi. He felt the strong longing he always had when this happened. The longing to protect her and the longing to be like her. Jabari had served Nenyi all his life and he wanted to meet the Shaper. He wondered if Isika knew how lucky she was. And then he saw the fear in her eyes and he moved to sit closer to her, tentatively putting an arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment, then sat up and reached her hands out to Aria.
“You have to stay here,” she said, her voice breaking.
“That’s what our father said. Or I could go . . . and let what happens happen,” Aria responded, her eyes on the ground.
“No, Aria, you would die.”
“Would that be worse than liv
