The book is set in the High Republic era, 150 years before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy. The Republic is expanding into the Outer Rim, and two Jedi Knights, Zallah Macri and Kevmo Zink, are sent to investigate a stolen Force artifact on the planet Dalna. They soon discover that the artifact is connected to a group of Dalnans called the Path of the Open Hand, who believe that the Force should be free and should not be used by anyone, not even the Jedi.

The Jedi and the Path of the Open Hand come into conflict, and the Jedi soon realize that the Path is led by a powerful Force-user known only as the Mother. The Mother has plans for the Force that are far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined, and it is up to the Jedi to stop her before it's too late.